Meet the Modeler: James McNab

Man applying resin to model river

What was your first train set (or locomotive)? While I have vague memories of a Lionel train set when I was a young child, the first scale locomotive that I owned was a DC-powered N scale Baltimore and Ohio F7, along with several freight cars. They were a birthday gift when I was 12 or […]

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David Arrell’s HO scale Street Life & Streetcars layout

Track plan of David Arrell's HO scale model railroad

Facts & features Name: Street Life & Streetcars Scale: HO Size: 2 x 6 feet Prototype: Homage to streetcar service in and around Philadelphia Locale: Philadelphia and suburbs Era: Late 1950s Style: island Mainline run: approximately 16 feet Minimum radius: 6 1⁄4″ Minimum turnout: none Maximum grade: none Benchwork: open grid Height: 48″ Roadbed: Homabed/cork […]

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Rapido adds to HO scale Icons of Canadian Steam line

Illustration with side and nose views of four HO scale Canadian Pacific Class H1a and H1b steam locomotives from Rapido Trains.

Rapido Trains is ringing in 2022 with another exciting steam announcement. Canadian Pacific (CP) Class H1a and H1b 4-6-4 Hudsons will be joining the HO scale Icons of Canadian Steam product range. The models will have road-number-specific details; separate, factory-applied handrails and grab irons; blackened metal wheels and driving rods; correct cylinders and valve gear; […]

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Model Railroad Planning 2022

Model Railroad Planning 2022 cover

PLUS   Modeling a Mountain State coal hauler C&O and NYC’s jointly owned Nicholas, Fayette & Greenbrier From demolition to discovery Modeling an unknown part of a known ­prototype The “accidental” mushroom layout The rewards were well worth the extra effort Virginia & Truckee in the transition era A proto-freelanced HO track plan A compact […]

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Severna Park Model Railroad Club’s HO scale Chesapeake & Allegheny

Track plan overview

The layout at a glance Name: Chesapeake & Allegheny RR Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 13 x 36 feet Prototype: freelanced Locale: mid-Atlantic Era: 1950-60s Style: around the walls Mainline run: 201 feet Maximum grade: 3 percent Minimum curve radius: 36″ Minimum turnout: no. 4 Benchwork: open grid and L-girder Height: 55″-70″ Roadbed: Homasote Track: handlaid […]

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