Visit Ken Cook’s layout, featured in the September 2021 issue of Classic Toy Trains. Ken mixes postwar Lionel trains with modern track, structures, details, and scenery to create a one-of-a-kind display that entertains your eyes, ears, and imagination. Click here to see the track plan. […]
What was your first train set (or locomotive)? My first train set was the Lionel 1434W Burlington GP diesel with three passenger cars from 1955 or 1956. Being a passenger set, it had limited play value for me. I also had a no. 52 fire car. My trains are primarily from this era (i.e. prewar, […]
In this photo gallery, we encourage you to enjoy two fantastic Santa Fe layouts that are inspired. We hope they inspire you on your journey to creating a new model railroad layout, even one based on the Santa Fe! The first railroad is Gary Hoover’s interpretation of the Santa Fe Railway on Aug. 29, 1951. […]
The Santa Fe Railway and predecessors parsing the American Southwest have inspired countless artists and dreamers. Model railroaders using scale equipment and precision tools to re-create these railroad scenes are only the latest in that line. In this photo gallery, we encourage you to enjoy two fantastic Santa Fe layouts that are inspired. We […]
The layout at a glance Name: Midwest Lines Layout owner: Rolf Plachter Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 33 x 52 feet Prototype: freelanced, inspired by Chicago, Burlington & Quincy; Rock Island; and Union Pacific Locale: Denver to Milwaukee Era: mid-1960s Style: around-the-walls Mainline run: 400 feet Minimum radius: 36″ Minimum turnout: no. 4 Maximum grade: 2 […]
The layout at a glance Name: East Bluff Terminal RR Layout owner: Joe Visintine Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 14′-6″ x 42′-6″ plus 1′-5″ x 32′-0″ staging yard Prototype: freelance Locale: along the Mississippi River bluffs south of East St. Louis, Ill. Era: 1971 Style: along the walls Mainline run: 110 feet Minimum radius: 34″ Minimum […]
Click on the image or link below to download a PDF of this track plan. The layout at a glance Name: The Four Corners & Five Lakes Ry. (a business unit of FCFL Transportation) Scale: N (1:160) Size: 20 x 30 feet Theme: freelanced Locale: Four Corners region of U.S. Era: modern Style: around the […]
Name: New York, New Haven & Hartford RR Layout owner: Richard Abramson Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 12′-6″ x 19′-6″ Prototype: New Haven electrified zone Locale: southwestern Connecticut Era: 1950s to 1960s Style: around-the-walls Mainline run: 65 feet Minimum radius: 36″ Minimum turnout: no. 6 Maximum grade: 2 percent Benchwork: open grid Height: 49″ Roadbed: Homasote […]
Click on the image to download a PDF copy of this track plan. Name: Pennsylvania & New York Central Layout owner: Lee Gasparik Scale: O (1:48) Size: 43 x 70 feet Prototype: Pennsylvania RR and New York Central Locale: Northeastern U.S. Period: 1950s Style: linear walkaround Mainline run: 734 feet Minimum radius: 76″ (main), 60″ (yard) Minimum […]
Click on the image to download a PDF copy of this track plan. Name: CSX Philadelphia Subdivision Layout owner: Bruce Friedman Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 42 x 56 feet Prototype: CSX Locale: Philadelphia to Baltimore Era: modern day Style: multi-deck walkaround Mainline run: 1,000 feet Minimum radius: 36″ Minimum turnout: no. 6 Maximum grade: 2.25 […]
Click on the image to download a PDF of the track plan. Name: Atlantic & Southern RR Layout owner: Howard Gallagher Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 11 x 13 feet Prototype: freelanced Locale: western Pennsylvania Era: September 1957 Style: walk-in, around-the-walls Mainline run: 30 feet Minimum radius: 25″ Minimum turnout: no. 5 (main line and transfer […]
Click on the image to download a PDF of the track plan. Name: Belfast & Vinehaven RR and Portland & Mystic Line Layout owner: Arnie Hall Scale: HO and HOn3 (1:87.1) Size: 25 x 40 feet Prototype: Freelanced bridge line Locale: New England coast Era: mid-1940s to early 1950s Style: around-the-walls Mainline run: 110 feet […]
