Back on Track: Planning a switching area, Episode 9

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. […]

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Back on Track: Fixing a few helix flaws, Episode 7

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. […]

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Back on Track: Painting & installing a backdrop, Episode 8

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! […]

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It’s My Railroad, Making backdrop buildings, Ep. 23

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. […]

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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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