How to cut track

David Popp in the studio

Join David Popp in the studio as he shows you how to tackle the tricky subject of cutting track, demonstrating proper technique and explaining the best tools to use!     […]

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How to cut track

David Popp in the studio

Join David Popp in the studio as he shows you how to tackle the tricky subject of cutting track, demonstrating proper technique and explaining the best tools to use!     […]

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Weeping Norway spruce

A spruce on a garden railroad

Common name: Weeping Norway spruce 
Latin name: Picea abies ‘Pendula’ Plant type: dwarf conifer USDA Hardiness Zones: 2-8 Cultural needs: Moist, well drained, slightly acidic soil; sun to part shade Plant height: 18″ if prostrate; 10-12′ if staked Dark, evergreen needles on drooping soft branches make weeping Norway spruce an attractive specimen tree. Garden railroaders […]

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John Vavra’s HO scale Santa Fe Lines

Track plan overview

Facts & features Name: Santa Fe Lines Scale: HO (1:87.1) and HOn3 (36″ narrow gauge) Size: 20 x 22 feet Prototype: Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe and the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Locale: Northern Arizona/Southwestern Colorado Era: 1994 Style: walk-in Mainline run: 150 feet (Santa Fe) plus 110 feet (D&S) Minimum radius: 24″ (ATSF), […]

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Richard and Mary Kay Doolittle’s O gauge layout

Track plan overview

Facts & features Name: Richard and Mary Kay Doolittle’s O gauge layout Dimensions: 51/2 x 201/2 feet Track and switch: Lionel FasTrack (diameters range from 42″ to 54″) Motive power: Lionel (postwar, modern) Rolling stock: Lionel (postwar, modern), MTH Controls: Lionel no. 22983 180- watt PowerHouse power supply with Legacy command control Accessories: Department 56, […]

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Milwaukee Lionel Railroad Club’s O gauge layout

Track plan overview

Facts & features Name: Milwaukee Lionel Railroad Club’s O gauge layout Dimensions: 30 x 54 feet Track and switch: GarGraves, Lionel (diameters range from 72 to 120 inches) Motive power: American Flyer, Atlas O, Ives, K-Line, Lionel (all eras), Marx, MTH, Weaver, Williams Rolling stock: Atlas O, Ives, K-Line, Kusan, Lionel (all eras), Marx, MTH, […]

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Six grade crossings you can model

Asphalt-and-timber crossing on west edge of Wisconsin & Southern yard in Horicon, Wis.

Grade crossings you can model are scene enhancers that you should consider adding to your list of projects. “Why a grade crossing?” you may ask. “I’d rather work on a locomotive, freight car, structure, or [fill in the blank with your favorite aspect of the hobby.]” I get it. Grade crossings you can model introduction […]

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State Line Route in N scale: Installing fascia, Episode 9

David Popp leaning on the fascia on the State Line N scale layout

David shows how he attached fascia to the State Line Route N scale layout to give it a more finished appearance. It can be especially tricky when there are no extra hands around to help with the curves, but David has a solution! Plus, Gerry Leone and Seth Puffer have finished building their structures for […]

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A fun, large-scale Halloween display

A Halloween display layout on a truck

I love collecting and displaying large-scale trains. I also love showing off my 1956 GMC pick up at car shows, or even at the front of my driveway at home. I decided to combine the two and make a mobile display layout! The layout is an easy build. My truck has slots on the truck […]

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Resuscitating a lifeless locomotive

A stethoscope is used to listen to a model locomotive being held upside down in a foam cradle

Good news! If your lifeless locomotive has ever run under Digital Command Control (DCC), chances are good that you can get it running again without having to send it off for repair. The solution is easy, too! More good news! If you have a new steam locomotive that doesn’t run or only partially works, maybe […]

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