A Lionel FasTrack modular O gauge railroad that travels

drawing of track plan

Layout designer: Michael Tylick Scale: O Layout size: 11 x 11 feet Track type: Lionel FasTrack Minimum curve: O-36 Originally appeared in the May 2013 issue of Classic Toy Trains. A Lionel FasTrack modular O gauge railroad that travels A Lionel FasTrack modular O gauge railroad that travels schematic A Lionel FasTrack modular O gauge […]

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Four steps to adapting a track plan

adaptingtp

In this article, which originally appeared in the September 2011 issue of Classic Toy Trains, CTT’s Kent Johnson demonstrates how to adapt a track plan from one type of track to another. His example: the Reader’s Choice Railroad, adapted from Lionel O to Lionel FasTrack. Learn the steps for adapting your plan and find an […]

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Building the HO scale Winter Hill quarry branch, part 7

Cody Grivno next to layout with scenery

As the Model Railroader staff continues to work on the scenery for the HO scale Winter Hill quarry branch, it becomes apparent that they need to add the illusion of distance to the scene. An easy solution to this common model railroading problem is to add a distant treeline along the layout backdrop. Follow associate […]

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Building the HO scale Winter Hill quarry branch, part 8

Cody Grivno pours plaster into a mold

For the Winter Hill project the Model Railroader staff needed to add rock castings to the scene around the quarry branch. Associate editor Cody Grivno shows you how to make rock castings using molds and a light plaster product called Hydrocal. Cody also provides tips for trimming the castings and applying the finished rocks to […]

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Building the HO scale Winter Hill Quarry Branch part 9

Hand painting scenery

The long rock wall is an important scenery feature on the HO scale Winter Hill Quarry Branch project model railroad. Now that the Hydrocal castings are in place, Model Railroader associate editor Cody Grivno will paint and weather the castings so that they look like real rocks. Cody uses a variety of techniques for the […]

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Building Model Railroader’s Winter Hill Quarry branch, part 5

David Popp and Cody Grivno next to layout

Wiring work begins on the HO scale Winter Hill Quarry Branch, but luckily the Model Railroader staff can reuse much of the old wiring from the Milwaukee, Racine & Troy. Associate editor Cody Grivno shows you how to solder feeder wires to the track, while associate editor Steve Otte describes the benefits of using Peco […]

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Building HO scale Winter Hill quarry branch part 6

Cody Grivno next to layou

Follow along as associate editor Cody Grivno uses an airbrush to weather the track on the Model Railroader staff’s Winter Hill Quarry Branch. Cody will show you his easy technique for weathering the rails and ties of model railroad track. You’ll also learn how to use a microbrush to paint the rails around turnouts. […]

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Building Model Railroader’s Winter Hill quarry branch, part 4

Steve Otte and Eric White next to layout

The Model Railroader staff has used latex caulk to install cork roadbed and lay flextrack on the last few project model train layouts. Follow associate editor Cody Grivno as he shows you this easy model railroading technique as work continues on the Winter Hill project model train layout. […]

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Building Model Railroader’s Winter Hill Quarry Branch, part 2

Hand modeling scenery on model railway

Before any track can be laid or structures installed on the Model Railroader staff’s Winter Hill project, managing editor David Popp makes some adjustments to the existing benchwork. There will be some elevation changes as well as a roadway that will lead down into the quarry. Senior editor Jim Hediger also describes how he determined […]

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