Carlyle Division

MRRA0713

Name: Carlyle Division Layout designer: Tom Basterash Scale: N (1:160) Size: 10 x 11 feet Prototype: freelanced, based on Great Northern Locale: Rocky Mountain foothills Era: 1945 to 1955 Style: walk-in Mainline run: 65 feet Minimum radius: 15″ Minimum turnout: no. 6 Maximum grade: 2 percent Originally appeared in the July 2013 Model Railroader. Click […]

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New England & Western

MRRB0713plan

Name: New England & Western Layout designer: Bill Robertson Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 24 x 46 feet Prototype: freelanced Locale: New England Era: 1940 to 1950 Style: linear walkaround Mainline run: 170 feet Minimum radius: 32″ (main) Minimum turnout: no. 6 Maximum grade: 2 percent Originally appeared in the July 2013 Model Railroader. Click on […]

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How to make Hydrocal rock castings for model railroad scenery

Pouring Hydrocal into a rubber rock mold

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Hydrocal is a useful material for modeling scenery on a model train layout. Follow along and learn how to pour Hydrocal into rock molds to make cliffs and rockfaces for model railroad scenery. […]

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Basic Operation: Running the River Job

freight waybill

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Learn the basics of switchlists, car cards, station numbers and more as David Popp and Ben Lake take you with them to work the River Job. This is a local freight that works the industries along the Naugatuck River on David’s N scale […]

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Basic Training: Checking and adjusting coupler height

Hand pointing at model train coupler

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Couplers are what hold the cars together on a model railroad. They can also cause problems if they are not set properly. Cody Grivno shows you how to check to make sure your couplers are in good working order, and what to do […]

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FasTrack on a tabletop

drawing of square track plan

Layout designer: Terry Thompson Scale: O Layout size: 12 x 12 feet Track type: Lionel FasTrack Minimum curve: O-36 Originally appeared in the July 2013 issue of Classic Toy Trains. FasTrack on a tabletop FasTrack on a tabletop schematic FasTrack on a tabletop components […]

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Thin Branch Series: Benchwork part 3 – plywood subroadbed

David Popp working with plywood.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page In this video episode of our Thin Branch HO scale project railroad, the layout gets its plywood subroadbed installed. David shows you how to mark and cut the plywood for smooth transitions between the levels and support it with simple risers made from […]

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