Medium Layouts – Page 5

The Rice Lake, Dallas & Menomonie RR layout in HO scale

By | June 10, 2025

Facts and features Name: Rice Lake, Dallas & Menomonie RRScale: HO (1:87.1)Size: 8 x 30 feetPrototype: Soo LineLocale: northwestern WisconsinEra: early 1950sStyle: walkaroundMainline run: 50 feetMinimum radius: 30″ (main), 18″ (branch)Minimum turnout: No. 5 (main), No. 4 (branch)Maximum grade: noneBenchwork: L-girderHeight: 44″Roadbed:1∕2″ plywood covered with 1∕2″ HomasoteTrack: Atlas code 100 flextrack, Peco and Atlas turnoutsScenery: […]

More easy ways to add realism to your layout

By | June 9, 2025

freight yard scene on model train layout

My layout, The “Casey” Line, was published in the September 2021 Classic Toy Trains. My 30-year project was based on reading a boxful of 1950’s Model Railroader magazines and compiling a list of the best features on model railroads from those articles. Fortunately, I was able to include all the scenic features recommended in those […]

East Troy Industrial Park, Ep. 13 | DCC system installation

By James McNab | June 9, 2025

Even though track wiring is in place, our hosts still need to install a Digital Command Control (DCC) system before trains will run on the HO scale (1:87.1) East Troy Industrial Park project layout! David and Bryson first examine the components of the NCE PH5R Power Pro DCC system before working to integrate the parts […]

East Troy Industrial Park, Ep. 12 | Wiring

By James McNab | June 2, 2025

David and Bryson can’t run trains on the HO scale (1:87.1) East Troy Industrial Park project layout without routing power to the rails! Follow along, as the hosts work to attach feeders to the rails and string a network of wiring underneath the model railroad. You won’t want to miss any of the insider tips […]

How to fix a Lionel NW2 switcher’s motor problem?

By | May 29, 2025

I’m trying to troubleshoot a Lionel No. 624 Chesapeake & Ohio NW2 diesel switcher from the 1950s. The motor seems to short out, even after I spent time cleaning out the dried grease from long ago. All I get now is a grinding noise, and the locomotive barely moves. What do you think is the […]

5 tips for starting a toy train collection

By | May 26, 2025

I began collecting O and 027 gauge trains in middle school. Like many toy train enthusiasts, the trains were eventually packed away for various reasons. Years later, I unpacked my Lionel and Marx collection. It had been a long time since I had seen these trains. I unpacked mostly postwar and modern 2-4-2 outline steam […]

East Troy Industrial Park, Ep. 11 | Laying curved track

By James McNab | May 26, 2025

Hosts David Popp and Bryson Sleppy take a swing at the curves! Specifically, the process required to install sections of flexible track around the arching mainline, sidings, and spurs on the HO scale (1:87.1) East Troy Industrial Park project layout. Follow their insightful instructions for making free-flowing, yet reliable trackwork on your next model railroad! […]

East Troy Industrial Park, Ep. 10 | Laying straight track and turnouts

By James McNab | May 19, 2025

The HO scale (1:87.1) East Troy Industrial Park project layout wouldn’t be a model railroad without the trackwork! In this episode, hosts David Popp and Bryson Sleppy work to install sections of flexible straight track, before demonstrating how to add standard turnouts (track switches) along the line. Be sure to keep up with the construction […]

How do I remove black marks from tubular track?

By | May 16, 2025

I recently took out my old toy trains that have been packed away for about 25 years. The tubular track sections that were brand new back then now have black marks on them. How do I clean them and get them usable again? — Joe Rampe If it’s just dry corrosion, a Scotch-Brite pad will […]

Can you prevent Lionel and MTH trains from running in reverse?

By | May 15, 2025

Are you aware of any kind of commercial device that can prevent Lionel and MTH trains from running in reverse? Whenever any of my young grandchildren try to run a freight train in reverse, the cars inevitably derail and ruin our fun. This is an interesting problem to have! I can’t think of any device […]

East Troy Industrial Park EXTRA | Answering viewer comments – part 1

By James McNab | April 29, 2025

In this special episode, hosts David Popp and Bryson Sleppy take a moment to address a few questions from viewers like you! As the work on the HO scale East Troy Industrial Park (ETIP) project layout has forged ahead rapidly, we’ve certainly appreciated the wide assortment of inquires you’ve submitted in the Comments field. Keep’em […]

Menards O gauge Main Street

By | April 25, 2025

Menards continues to release an interesting variety of structures for your O gauge layout, from industrial, to whimsical, and anything else you might see in Anytown U.S.A. This latest structure, called “O gauge Main Street,” fits squarely in that Anytown category. A sticker on the clamshell box states that this is part of the Main […]

Tag: Medium Layouts

The Rice Lake, Dallas & Menomonie RR layout in HO scale

More easy ways to add realism to your layout

East Troy Industrial Park, Ep. 13 | DCC system installation

East Troy Industrial Park, Ep. 12 | Wiring

How to fix a Lionel NW2 switcher’s motor problem?

5 tips for starting a toy train collection

East Troy Industrial Park, Ep. 11 | Laying curved track

East Troy Industrial Park, Ep. 10 | Laying straight track and turnouts

How do I remove black marks from tubular track?

Can you prevent Lionel and MTH trains from running in reverse?

East Troy Industrial Park EXTRA | Answering viewer comments – part 1

Menards O gauge Main Street

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