Have layout, will travel – portable model train layouts

A man sits next to a nearly finished train layout outside.

Like several other model railroaders, I lost my “right” to more layout right-of-way within our house several decades ago. Nevertheless, building a layout is perhaps the most enjoyable aspect of the hobby for me. Despite having two operating model railroads in the house, I still wanted to build more. At train shows I noticed many […]

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Elementary school layout project completed

locomotive on kids' toy train layout

In December, we shared a story about students at Seaview Elementary School in Linwood, New Jersey building a toy-train layout. Dominick Andrews, the art teacher at the school, sent us an update with photos of the finished layout. We’re delighted to share the project with you. (Read the original item here.) Approximately how many kids […]

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A retro-style O gauge track plan

track plan illustration

Nothing says “O gauge toy trains” like a postwar-style display layout. Even if these tabletop railroads don’t always make the most efficient use of floor space, it’s hard to discount their nostalgic appeal, easy construction, and potential for fast-paced toy train and accessory action. While a small layout can keep an operator busy and viewers […]

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T-TRAK Project Part 3: Laying Kato Unitrack

Tan wooden boxes with gray plastic model train track sections attached to the tops. Includes a black, gray, and blue small model train, as well as a brown and yellow miniature building.

Modelers David Popp, Brian Schmidt, and Bryson Sleppy add Kato Unitrack to their modular T-TRAK N scale layout. T-TRAK is a modular N scale railroading system that uses foot-wide boxes plugged together to build tabletop layouts. In this third installment, the trio demonstrates how to build, wire, and install the Kato N scale Unitrack to […]

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Scratchbuild an unloading platform

model boxcar with unloading platform on layout

When you look at any model railroad, it’s the details that grab your attention—the people at the station, barrels by the wayside, or maybe a weathered locomotive or car. A recent trip to Sand Patch, Pa., inspired this small but important platform used by the maintenance-of-way department to unload materials for work along the line. […]

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Olympia & Sand Creek, Episode 15 | All in the details

In this session, Host David Popp promises to finish the work on the passenger car project! That includes paying careful attention to those tiny details on the passenger car and the layout itself…you know, all of the little things he’d notice if he did not take the time to complete them now, including the addition […]

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Olympia & Sand Creek, Episode 15 | All in the details

In this session, Host David Popp promises to finish the work on the passenger car project! That includes paying careful attention to those tiny details on the passenger car and the layout itself…you know, all of the little things he’d notice if he did not take the time to complete them now, including the addition […]

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Looking for layouts open to the public

overall shot of indoor layout

Classic Toy Trains is updating our list of S, O, and Standard gauge of layouts open to the public. Do you know of a layout that’s not on our list in the link above? Please contact us at editor@classictoytrains.com and let us know. Requirements: Must be S, O, or Standard gauge Must be open the […]

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