The Albuquerque Division Third District layout in HO scale

A model layout trackplan

Facts & features Name: Albuquerque Division Third DistrictScale: HO (1:87.1)Size: 50 x 50 feetPrototype: Santa FeLocale: ArizonaEra: 1953Style: double deckMainline run: 600 feetMinimum radius: 48″Minimum turnout: No. 6Maximum grade: 1%Benchwork: tabletop on wall bracketsHeight: 40″ to 56″Roadbed: plywood spline and 3⁄4″ plywood plus HomasoteTrack: code 83 flextrack (main), code 55 and 70 (elsewhere)Scenery: HydrocalBackdrop: tempered […]

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Meet David Popp, Q&A with the Editors

Meet David Popp, Trains.com Director in this Q&A with the Editors. Trains.com Unlimited Members can see the video in the Trains.com Video section. Steve Sweeney: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to another episode of Q&A with the Editors. We are delighted to have David Popp with us today. David, welcome. David Popp: Thank you, Steve. SS: […]

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Ask Trains.com January 2024 compilation

Ask Trains.com January 2024 compilation | In this month’s installment, Cody answers inquiries related to a model railroad owned and operated by Model Railroader magazine; how our Model Railroader staff members prefer to uncouple cars in a train; the rationale for specific markings on locomotives; plus other questions regarding both model and 1:1 scale railroads! […]

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The Pacific Railway & Navigation Co. layout

A model railroad layout track plan

Facts & features Name: Pacific Railway & Navigation Co.Scale: Proto:48 (O fine scale)Size: 4 x 38 feet (Palouse), 40 x 60 feet (entire layout) Prototype: Great Northern; Northern Pacific; PR&N; and Spokane, Portland & Seattle (elsewhere on layout)Era: mid-1950sLocale: Pacific NorthwestStyle: walk-in multi-deckMainline run: approx. 1,200 feetMinimum radius: 84″Minimum turnout: No. 7 (spurs), No. 8 […]

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The O scale Pennsylvania RR, Central Region layout

A model railroad trackplan

Facts & features Name: Pennsylvania RR, Central RegionScale: O (1:48)Size: 43 x 60 feetPrototype: Pennsylvania RRLocale: central PennsylvaniaEra: 1952Style: around-the-wallsMainline run: 355 feetMinimum radius: 60″ (main), 50″ (branch)Minimum turnout: No. 8 (main), No. 5 (secondary)Maximum grade: 2.2% (main), 3.5% (branch)Benchwork: open gridHeight: 47″ to 76″Roadbed: Homasote Track: code 148 and 125 flextrackScenery: plaster cloth and […]

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Ask Trains.com December 2023 compilation

Ask Trains.com December 2023 compilation | Host Cody Grivno has a great line-up of viewer questions to address including, how to determine which freight cars are appropriate for specific rail-served industries; which of two doors in the MR&T boxcar kit should be used; where to find articles about remote-control locomotives; where should placards for leased […]

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The HO scale Missouri Pacific Joppa Subdivision layout

A model railroad trackplan displaying three different layers

Facts & features Name: Missouri Pacific Joppa SubdivisionScale: HO (1:87.1)Size: 27′-3″ x 31′-6″Prototype: Missouri PacificLocale: southern IllinoisMainline run: 131 feet (visible), 222 feet (including helix and branch to start of Freeman mine)Minimum radius: 30″Minimum turnout: No. 6Maximum grade: 2.5%     Download this trackplan! Buy the January 2023 issue of Model Railroader! […]

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The Freemont Mills layout in HO scale

A model railroad trackplan

Facts & features Name: Freemont MillsScale: HO (1:87.1)Size: 3′-51⁄2″ x 7′-103⁄4″Prototype: freelancedLocale: Eastern U.S.Era: 1970Style: Free-Mo moduleMainline run: 94″Minimum radius: 60″Minimum turnout: No. 6Maximum grade: noneBenchwork: open gridHeight: 50″Roadbed: corkTrack: Walthers code 83Backdrop: noneControl: Train Control Systems LT-50     Download this trackplan! Buy the January 2023 issue of Model Railroader! […]

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The HO scale Reading Co. layout

A model railroad layout

Facts & features Name: Reading Co. Scale: HO (1:87.1)Size: 13′-6″ x 22′-0″ plus 2′-6″ x 5′-3″ West Philadelphia additionPrototype: Reading Co.Locale: eastern PennsylvaniaEra: 1930s to 1940sStyle: walk-inMainline run: 80 feetMinimum radius: 36″ (main)Minimum turnout: No. 6 (main), No. 4 (yards and industries)Maximum grade: 2%Benchwork: modified L-girderHeight: 50″ to 58″Roadbed: cork on plywood (main), Homasote on […]

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Conway Scenic RR in N scale

A model railroad trackplan

Facts & features Name: Conway Scenic RRScale: N (1:160)Size: 6 x 12 feetPrototype: freelancedLocale: New Hampshire’s White Mountain regionEra: modernStyle: islandMainline run: 45 feetMinimum radius: 36″Minimum turnout: No. 8Maximum grade: 3.5%Benchwork: open gridHeight: 36″Roadbed: CorkTrack: Peco code 80 flextrackScenery: extruded-foam insulation boardBackdrop: painted on wallsControl: SCADA automation system     Download this trackplan! Buy the […]

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