MRVP Layout Visit: Rolf & Richard Plachter’s Midwest Lines in HO scale

Rolf & Richard Plachter's Midwest Lines HO scale (1:87) layout

Enjoy this exclusive video tour of Rolf & Richard Plachter’s Midwest Lines HO scale (1:87) layout inspired by CB&Q, Rock Island, and UP railroad operations. Follow the action along the line, and then look for additional coverage of the layout in the December 2020 issue of Model Railroader magazine. […]

Read More…

Santa Fe Inspiration gallery volume 2

A Santa Fe steam locomotive and caboose are posed at Gary Hoover's HO Scale representation of "Summit", the top of the grade for the Santa Fe in California's Cajon Pass.

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. […]

Read More…

Santa Fe Inspiration gallery volume 1

A sweeping photo of a silver-colored HO Scale Sante Fe streamlined passenger train pulled through a desert Southwest scene.

  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 […]

Read More…

HO scale Midwest Lines

HO scale Midwest Lines

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 […]

Read More…

Trains.com Holiday Party: Seawalls and waves, Episode 1

David Popp in santa hat next to HO scale layout

The holiday season is here — and that’s a pretty good reason for Trains.com’s preeminent host David Popp to have a party! As the mini-series plays out this month, join David (along with other special guests) as he reveals some of the modeling/layouts projects and quick-hitting techniques keeping him engaged in the hobby. First up, […]

Read More…

Trains.com Holiday Party: Seawalls and waves, Episode 1

David Popp in santa hat next to HO scale layout

The holiday season is here — and that’s a pretty good reason for Trains.com’s preeminent host David Popp to have a party! As the mini-series plays out this month, join David (along with other special guests) as he reveals some of the modeling/layouts projects and quick-hitting techniques keeping him engaged in the hobby. First up, […]

Read More…

On30 Laurium, Mohawk & Brockway Ry.

Download this track plan from the November 2020 issue of Model Railroader

The layout at a glance Name: Laurium, Mohawk & Brockway Layout owner: Larry Burk Scale: On30 (1:48, 30″ track gauge) Size: 27 x 38 feet Prototype: freelanced Locale: Michigan’s Upper Peninsula Era: 1935 Style: shelf Mainline run: 150 feet Minimum radius: 24″ Minimum turnout: no. 5 Maximum grade: 4 percent on switchback to lumber branch […]

Read More…