Jon Balka’s American Flyer All Aboard S gauge layout

Overview of track plan

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 […]

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Gefken family O gauge layout

Overview of track plan

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 […]

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Cody’s Workshop: Modernize an old covered hopper, Ep. 46

Host Cody Grivno paints wheelsets, adds roof details, applies weathering effects and decals to an old HO scale Athearn covered hopper. All of that in five easy steps detailed in this video, and in a feature story found in the June 2021 issue of Model Railroader magazine. […]

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Cody’s Workshop: Modernize an old covered hopper, Ep. 46

Host Cody Grivno paints wheelsets, adds roof details, applies weathering effects and decals to an old HO scale Athearn covered hopper. All of that in five easy steps detailed in this video, and in a feature story found in the June 2021 issue of Model Railroader magazine. […]

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A custom-decorated covered hopper and gondola, new road numbers on a locomotive, a modeling tip, and viewer mail!

Cody Grivno sitting with locomotives on the table in front of him

Learn about the new HO scale Milwaukee, Racine & Troy 4750 covered hopper from the Kalmbach Hobby Store, Atlas Model Railroad Co.’s HO scale Dash 8-40B diesel locomotive in new road numbers, and the New England Steam Corp.’s custom-decorated HO scale Philadelphia, Bethlehem & New England 52’-6” gondola. In addition, there’s viewer mail and a […]

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Back on Track: Finishing the helix, Episode 6

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. […]

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Back on Track: Building benchwork and beginning stage of a helix, Episode 5

Even with a little help from a friend, host Gerry Leone still struggles with benchwork construction. But after setting joists straight and level, he jumps right into raising the grade along the helix. Discover a few new track tips and tricks along the way. […]

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Back on Track: Helix construction prep work, Episode 4

With design issues behind him, Gerry begins building the components of a four-turn helix. Even though math is involved in this stage, our host is up to the task. And he’s clever enough to use and share a number of helpful resources that make the process easy to understand and follow. […]

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