Chris Raines’ O gauge layout is a mix of modern and digital

Chris Raines layout

Chris Raines’ O gauge layout is featured in the May-June 2022 issue of Classic Toy Trains. It has neat scenery, structures, and lots of O gauge trains, primarily from the 1970s to today. The display has towns and areas named after Chris and his wife’s three children and there’s plenty to see! Chris runs the […]

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It’s my revised railroad revealed | It’s My Railroad, Ep. 29

Host Steve Brown has just a bit of a surprise in store. In this episode you’ll be the first to see It’s My Revised Railroad revealed! Right in the middle of his Star Industries project effort, our “regular guy” has done something very much out of the ordinary. Steve shares his efforts to redirect and […]

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Postwar and modern Lionel trains mix on this layout

Postwar and modern Lionel trains on Richard Shutt's layout.

Postwar and modern Lionel trains mix on Richard Shutt’s layout! The 21 x 24-foot O gauge display, featured in the March-April 2022 Classic Toy Trains, is built for operation. His lifelong interest in the Norfolk & Western Ry. matches a deep-seated fascination with trains and accessories from the post-World War II period. It also includes […]

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Trailing spikemoss

Trailing spikemoss with miniature scooter

  Common name: Trailing spikemoss, golden clubmoss 

Latin name: Selaginella kraussiana ‘Aurea’ Plant type: Groundcover 

Plant size: Moist, acidic soil; part or full shade USDA Hardiness Zones: 6-9 Cultural needs: Mounding as high as 6″, spreading to 24″ Spikemoss, with its seaweed-like jointed stems, has an other-world appearance, as do the liverworts, when you get […]

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Midday Modeler 03.02.2022

Two men talking near a model railroad layout.

Midday Modeler 03.02.2022 — In this installment of Midday Modeler, David Popp gives a hearty update on the progress on the Jones Island portion of the MR&T HO scale layout along with Cody Grivno. Later in this Midday Modeler 03.02.2022 episode, David visits the Model Railroader workshop to talk with Classic Trains Editor Brian Schmidt […]

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Rethinking, rebuilding, and relocating structures | It’s My Railroad, Ep. 28

Rethinking, rebuilding, and relocating structures are all part of Steve Brown’s major changes. Right in the midst of his efforts to scratchbuild an N scale industrial structure, of course. But that’s what the It’s My Railroad series is all about! In this episode, you’ll see our host employ helpful techniques to tackle challenges in assembling […]

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Kitbashing trackside structures — State Line Route in N scale, Episode 19

Kitbashed N scale buildings alongside a blue backdrop with tree line

Kitbashing trackside structures for the N scale State Line Route layout is the focus of this episode. First, David Popp shares his planning and preparation steps, which include finding prototype photos and building mock-ups for this N scale model railroad layout. Next, David uses parts from several model kits to custom build a paint factory […]

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O gauge realism is Herb Lindsay’s legacy

O gauge railroad yard with trains.

O gauge realism is Herb Lindsay’s legacy. One of the landmark layouts featured in Classic Toy Trains over the years has been the O gauge model railroad designed and built by the late hobbyist and his talented wife and fellow modeler, Dagmar Lindsay. How articles about Herb’s realistic tribute to railroading in central Pennsylvania during […]

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Meet the Modeler: Kathy Millatt

Kathy, in red T-shirt, poses with a paintbrush and several structures

What was your first train set (or locomotive)? My first set was my Dad’s Hornby Dublo 3-rail set from the 1950s. He had loads of buildings and track that we put out every Christmas. Over time, I moved on to a 4-by-8-foot piece of plywood. The height of my modelling was using (bright orange!) builder’s […]

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