Facts & features Name: John Staschak’s O gauge layout Dimensions: 12½ x 25 feet Track: GarGraves, Ross Custom Switches (diameters range from 31 to 96 inches) Switches: GarGraves with Tortoise and Z-Stuff for Trains machines Motive power: Atlas O, Lionel, MTH, 3rd Rail, Weaver Rolling stock: Atlas O, K-Line, Lionel, Model Crafters, MTH, Ralph’s Trains, […]
Facts & features Name: Ken Cook’s O gauge “Casey” Line Dimensions: 14 x 26 feet Track and switches: Lionel FasTrack, tubular (diameters range from 27 to 72 inches) Motive power: Lionel (postwar) Rolling stock: Ambroid, Lionel (postwar), Scale-Craft Models, Zimmer Controls: Lionel type-ZW transformers (2) Accessories: Lionel (prewar, postwar), Marx, Ross Custom Switches Structures: Downtown […]
Back on Track gets back to the track! In this episode, host Gerry Leone shares his plans and process for adding a staging yard and switching area, including where and how to place key track switches to save valuable layout space. […]
Series host Gerry Leone is definitely playing catch up in this episode, as he works to patch up a minor oversight. Watch to see how he corrects and simplifies the helix construction, and then presents a clever suggestion for looking back in time when building a new home or layout. […]
Bound and determined to build it better than his previous layout, Gerry walks through his evolved process for handling the installation of a hardboard backdrop. Plenty of neat tips and trick can be found in this and other episodes of Back on Track, an exclusive Trains.com series! […]
When I first moved to Wisconsin to start working for Model Railroader, my family and I were in a two-bedroom apartment. I had built a freelanced Pennsylvania RR layout in my apartment back in Pennsylvania that filled a 7 x 11-foot section of our long apartment living room. It was basically a donut, with a […]
Click the links below to download the appropriately sized image for your screen. Download the 1600 x 900 image Download the 1600 x 1000 image Download the 1600 x 1200 image […]
Host Steve Brown shares his “Regular Guy” techniques for making low-relief background structures. In this video, Steve points out how quick and easy it is to mount paper templates on foam core material to form realistic buildings well-suited for placement along a layout backdrop. […]
Facts & Features Name: Jon Balka’s S gauge layout Dimensions: 5 1/2 x 10 feet Track and switches: American Flyer All*Aboard panels Motive power: Gilbert American Flyer Rolling stock: Gilbert American Flyer Controls: Gilbert American Flyer nos. 8B and 22004 transformers Structures: Gilbert American Flyer, Littletown, Marx, Plasticville Vehicles: Marx, Renwal Figures: Marx Click here […]
Facts & Features Name: Gefken family’s O gauge layout Dimensions: 10 x 20 feet Track and switches: Lionel (diameters range from 48 to 72 inches) Motive power: Lionel Rolling stock: K-Line, Lionel, Williams by Bachmann Controls: Lionel CW-80 transformer (3), with Lionel Legacy command control Accessories: Atlas O, K-Line, Lionel Structures: Ameri-Towne, Atlas O, JV […]
Hal Miller repairs peeling roadway material on the City Transfer & Terminal, an O gauge layout showcased in Classic Toy Trains articles and videos throughout 2018. With the original adhesive backing now dry and no longer tacky, Hal shows how silicone caulk can be used to affix the roads to the layout for good. […]
As the world and Gerry’s helix continues to turn, he deals with its ups and downs. See how he works to avoid wavering levels on each turn of the helix. And you won’t want to miss the first running train on the new layout. […]
