Garden Railways Editor Hal Miller shows step-by-step how to illuminate a PIKO cabin kit with an inexpensive solar-powered path light available from a home improvement store. […]
Add a solar-powered light to a large-scale cabin
Section: How To
Selling a house with a garden railway: Help or hindrance?
When I built my outdoor railway – on three sides of my house – I never intended to sell it. I thought I’d be teetering behind a walker at 90, running my live-steam engines over rails I had built to last a lifetime. I like building strong, “permanent” track, which gives me a feeling of […]
Dwarf crape myrtle
Common name: Dwarf crape myrtle Latin name: Lagerstroemia indica ‘Violet Filli’ (Filigree series) Plant size: 6-24″, depending on the miniature variety Plant type: Shrubs and small trees USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-11 (or grown as an annual) Cultural needs: Well-drained, slightly acidic to acidic soil, full sun The miniature crape myrtle in the photo, one of […]
CTT’s fall 2021 special: Toy train layouts for small spaces
The latest special issue from Classic Toy Trains! If you’re looking to build your first toy train layout, or maybe just something more manageable, Toy Train Layouts for Small Spaces has you covered! It’s full of plans for layouts under 100 square feet that will fit in a spare room, including island and around the […]
State Line Route in N scale: Bridge installation and laying curved track, Episode 7
In this episode, David’s projects include repairing benchwork, installing a bridge, and laying curved track sections. Tune in for David’s tips and techniques for making flowing, smooth curves with Micro Engineering Flex-Track. […]
DCC wiring for a shelf layout
My little shelf layout is made from track and lumber salvaged from a small model railroad I was building in my apartment living room back in Pennsylvania before I moved to Wisconsin to work for Model Railroader. In my current living room, I only have room for a shelf layout, which is built into an […]
Wonderful warbonnet: Lionel’s no. 11739 “The Super Chief” set
CTT’s Hal Miller has a look at Lionel’s no. 11739 Santa Fe “The Super Chief” set that was the first one in the modern era to feature an Alco locomotive. This O-27 outfit is still available and affordable on the auction and swap meet market along with its add-on cars. It’s great to run or […]
How-to Library: Signaling with JMRI, Part3
In this final series video, Trains.com resident DCC expert Ben Lake covers signal installation with JMRI. Using the Canadian Canyons N scale layout scale as his workbench, Ben walks and talks viewers through signal decoder setup, signal wiring schematics, PanelPro configuration, and more! […]
Len Smith’s O gauge layout
Facts & features Name: Len Smith’s O gauge layout Dimensions: 24 x 27 feet Track and switches: Atlas O (diameters range from 54 to 99 inches) Motive power: Atlas O, Lionel, MTH Rolling stock: Atlas O, K-Line, Lionel, MTH, Weaver Controls: Lionel types KW and ZW, MTH no. Z-4000 (2) transformers with MTH Digital Command […]
Bill Clark’s S gauge layout
Facts & features Name: Bill Clark’s S gauge layout Dimensions: 9 x 20½ feet Track and switches: Gilbert American Flyer Motive power: American Models, Gilbert and Lionel American Flyer Rolling stock: American Models, Gilbert and Lionel American Flyer Controls: American Flyer nos. 12B (2), 30B (2) transformers with Lionel FlyerChief and Legacy command control Accessories: […]
N scale Montgomery & Cole Subdivision
Facts & features Name: Montgomery & Cole Subdivision Scale: N (1:160) Size: 10′-0″ x 10′-0″ Prototype: Great Northern, BNSF Ry., and CP Rail Locale: western Montana, eastern Washington Era: 1970s – ’80s Style: walk-in Mainline run: 78 feet Minimum radius: 9″ Minimum turnout: no. 6 Maximum grade: 3.5 percent Benchwork: open grid Height: 441⁄2″ Roadbed: […]
The Eastport Branch in HO
Facts & features Name: The Eastport Branch Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 15 x 20 feet Prototype: freelanced, representing various New England railroads Locale: New England Era: steam-to-diesel transition era to second-generation diesel Style: around the walls Mainline run: 70 feet Minimum radius: 26″ Maximum grade: 2 percent Benchwork: L-girder on cabinet tops and wall brackets […]
