Structures for our State Line Route N scale layout keep rolling in! In this episode, David gives a peek at the kits built by Seth Puffer and Sammi DiVito. Then, learn how Steve Brown, host of “It’s My Railroad” and “Scale It Down” on trains.com, kitbashed a packaging plant and modernized a tank farm to […]
By Frederic Williams Rohm and Brian Michelson I grew up in central Pennsylvania where my family had been long-time residents. My garden railroad is based on the Pennsylvania Railroad circa 1900; my grandfather and uncles worked on the PRR. The premier Pennsy passenger train of this era was the Pennsylvania Limited, which began making the […]
Our State Line Route layout is almost ready for scenery, but first there’s track detailing and painting to be done! David shares his process for cleaning and preparing track before Cody shows how to paint track with his airbrushing technique. […]
Track wiring your model railroad layout can be daunting, especially for beginners to the hobby. In order to help those looking to start, here’s a review of the bare-bones basics of wiring your layout that will help you get your trains up and running as quickly as possible. Run the wire bus roughly beneath the […]
Lionel’s Phantom train is on the rails! We’ve all seen Lionel, MTH, and American Flyer model train sets running under the Christmas tree, but what about for Halloween? CTT editor Hal Miller builds a small layout he calls the Chaos, Tragedy & Terror RR. It captures the spirit of the season with accessories from Woodland […]
David installs a Digitrax Evolution Express command system on our State Line Route layout. Follow along as David guides you from installing the universal panels to modifying a throttle pocket to watching trains run on the N scale layout! […]
Join David Popp in the studio as he shows you how to tackle the tricky subject of cutting track, demonstrating proper technique and explaining the best tools to use! […]
Join David Popp in the studio as he shows you how to tackle the tricky subject of cutting track, demonstrating proper technique and explaining the best tools to use! […]
Common name: Weeping Norway spruce Latin name: Picea abies ‘Pendula’ Plant type: dwarf conifer USDA Hardiness Zones: 2-8 Cultural needs: Moist, well drained, slightly acidic soil; sun to part shade Plant height: 18″ if prostrate; 10-12′ if staked Dark, evergreen needles on drooping soft branches make weeping Norway spruce an attractive specimen tree. Garden railroaders […]
Facts & features Name: Santa Fe Lines Scale: HO (1:87.1) and HOn3 (36″ narrow gauge) Size: 20 x 22 feet Prototype: Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe and the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Locale: Northern Arizona/Southwestern Colorado Era: 1994 Style: walk-in Mainline run: 150 feet (Santa Fe) plus 110 feet (D&S) Minimum radius: 24″ (ATSF), […]
Facts & features Name: Richard and Mary Kay Doolittle’s O gauge layout Dimensions: 51/2 x 201/2 feet Track and switch: Lionel FasTrack (diameters range from 42″ to 54″) Motive power: Lionel (postwar, modern) Rolling stock: Lionel (postwar, modern), MTH Controls: Lionel no. 22983 180- watt PowerHouse power supply with Legacy command control Accessories: Department 56, […]
Facts & features Name: Milwaukee Lionel Railroad Club’s O gauge layout Dimensions: 30 x 54 feet Track and switch: GarGraves, Lionel (diameters range from 72 to 120 inches) Motive power: American Flyer, Atlas O, Ives, K-Line, Lionel (all eras), Marx, MTH, Weaver, Williams Rolling stock: Atlas O, Ives, K-Line, Kusan, Lionel (all eras), Marx, MTH, […]
