Colorado & Southern narrow gauge 2-8-0s Nos. 70 and 73 cross the high bridge on the Georgetown Loop with seven cars. The engines are moving at only 5 mph due to the frail nature of the bridge on May 14, 1938. Photo by R. H. Kindig […]
Name: Quanah, Acme & Pacific Layout designer: Steven Otte Scale: N (1:160) Size: 5′-9″ x 11′-0″ Prototype: Frisco subsidiary Locale: North Texas Era: early 1929 Style: donut with oNeTRAK modules Mainline run: 46 feet Minimum radius: 11″ Minimum turnout: no. 5 Maximum grade: none Originally appeared in the February 2012 issue of Model Railroader. Click […]
Name: Creamery Junction Layout designer: Michael Tylick Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 4′-8″ x 16′-8″ Prototype: Boston & Maine and Boston & Albany Locale: Ware Valley, Mass. Era: variable Style: multi-level Mainline run: 150 feet Minimum radius: 24″ Minimum turnout: no. 5 Maximum grade: 2.6 percent Originally appeared in the December 2011 issue of Model Railroader. […]
Name: Western Electric Empire, City & Suburban Lines Layout designer: Bill Everett Scale: O (1:48) Size: 15′-11″ x 25′-0″ Prototype: Pacific Electric System Locale: freelanced, inspired by Los Angeles area Era: 1920s to 1940s Style: around the walls Minimum radius: 12″ Minimum turnout: no. 2 Maximum grade: 5 percent Originally appeared in the December 2011 […]
Name: London, Midland & Scottish Ry. (LMS) Layout designer: Greg Simpson Scale: OO (1:76 proportion on 1:87.1 HO gauge track) Size: 15 x 20 feet Prototype: (LMS) Locale: England, West Midlands Era: 1900s to 1960s Style: walk-in Mainline run: 100 feet Minimum radius: 18″ Minimum turnout: no. 6 (main), no. 4 (sidings) Maximum grade: 1 […]
Name: Spartanburg Subdivision Layout designer: Steven Otte Scale: N (1:160) Size: 3′-0″ x 5′-6″ Prototype: Southern Ry. Locale: upstate South Carolina Era: early 1940s Style: island Minimum radius: 9-3/4″ Mainline run: 11 feet Minimum turnout: no. 5 Originally appeared in the October 2011 issue of Model Railroader. Click on the link to download the PDF […]
Name: New Jersey, Indiana & Illinois RR Layout designer: Dan Lawecki Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 21 x 24 feet Prototype: NJI&I (Wabash subsidiary from 1926 to 1966; Norfolk & Western branch line thereafter) Locale: South Bend, Ind. Era: 1920 or 1975 Style: walk-in Mainline run: 88 feet Minimum radius: 24 inches Minimum turnout: no. 6 […]
Name: The Chili Line Layout designer: Steve Amitrano Scale: Sn3 (1:64, 3-foot gauge) Size: 9′-6″ x 11′-6″ Prototype: Denver & Rio Grande Western Locale: Chama and Santa Fe, N.M. Era: mid-1930s to 1950s Style: doughnut Mainline run: 43 feet Minimum radius: 34″ Minimum turnout: no. 6 Originally appeared in the Great Model Railroads 2008. Click […]
These two cars at Steamtown National Historical Site look similar but had different uses. Hank Ickes Q In the yard at Steamtown National Historical Site in Scranton, Pa., are two cars that I couldn’t identify. Do you know what purpose these cars had? — Hank Ickes, Arlington, Va. A One is an auxiliary tender or […]
Name: Rio Grande SouthernLayout designer: Steve HarrisScale: HOn3 (1:87.1 proportion, three-foot gauge)Size: 9 x 25 feetPrototype: Rio Grande SouthernLocale: southwestern ColoradoEra: around 1939Style: double deck with helix, semi-mushroom peninsulaMainline run: 158 feet (excluding helix)Minimum radius: 18″Minimum turnout: no. 4 Originally appeared in the November 2004 issue of Model Railroader. Click on the link to download […]
Name: Rio Grande Southern Layout designer: Dan Sylvester Scale: HOn3 (1:87.1, narrow gauge) Size: 4 x 8 feet Prototype: Rio Grande Southern RR Locale: western Colorado Era: 1930s Style: island Mainline run: 32 feet Minimum radius: 18″ Minimum turnout: 18″ radius Maximum grade: 4 percent (main line), 8 percent (mine spur) Click on the link […]
AnyRail Track Planning Software (screen shot) In designing my current layout, I wanted to move away from hand drawing track plans with all the attendant problems involved with making changes, edits, etc. I looked at several track-planning software products but found them too complicated for my needs and level of skill. Much like my attitude […]
