Back on Track: Track planning with a helix, Episode 2

Gerry Leone sitting at his computer desk

Off the Rails host Gerry Leone has re-railed and is gaining traction in this Trains.com exclusive series, Back on Track. From his new home in the Upper Midwest, members can follow Gerry as he walks, talks, and works his way through planning and building an all-new, double-deck model railroad in HO scale. First order of business? […]

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Operating the N scale Bachmann 4-6-4 Hudson with sound; SD80MAC; iron ore book review

Man holding book at table with model trains.

In this installment, Cody test-runs Bachmann’s new sound-equipped N scale New York Central 4-6-4 Hudson, as well as Athearn’s Genesis 2.0 HO scale SD80MAC. He also looks at Jeff Wilson’s latest book, The Model Railroader’s Guide to Iron Ore Railroads. In addition, Cody shares tips about using Rails Unlimited reproduction railroad industry directories to improve […]

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Off The Rails: The Missing Kinks, Episode 53

Gerry Leone standing in front of this HO scale model railroad

Just when you thought there couldn’t be any more Model Railroader Construction Kinks left on the planet, host Gerry Leone just unearthed the final remnants — a.ka. The Missing Kinks! Learn from these timeless workbench and layout building insights, and enjoy Gerry’s helpful demonstration of their usefulness. […]

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The Hills Line with James McNab: Modeling prototype operating procedures, Episode 10

James McNab explains the operator's guide for his HO scale Hills Line layout.

Shall we play a game? Host James McNab is up for a round of Operations on his HO scale Hills Line layout! In this episode, he works from a perspective inside the cab of a locomotive to explain some of the prototype procedures crews follow to make running his small model railroad so interesting. […]

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Back On Track: Episode 1

From his Off The Rails series, we’ve discovered that Master Model Railroader Gerry Leone is quite prone to getting derailed. And ever since he’s torn down his model railroad, we’ve had even more reason to wonder about him. But no need to worry, he’s right Back On Track constructing a new home…and a new layout […]

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Rehab My Railroad: Painting, prepping and pouring harbor water, Episode 11

Continental Grain Co. and other various structures on the MR&T.

David and Cody are back to the task of working along the Jones Island waterfront scene. Specifically, Cody starts the session by adding the seawall pieces and a temporary styrene wall to retain the poured resin water. While those installations dry, David pops back in to solder feeder wires to the yard tracks, all before […]

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Rehab My Railroad: Adding more details at Mukwonago, Episode 10

David Popp standing next to a section of the MR&T

More work along the Mukwonago layout location. The session starts with David installing trackwork for the industrial spur at this site, while Cody continues prepping the structure itself. Adding realistic details to the track, pavement, structure, and surrounding area is also part of the process in this episode of the Jones Island rehab effort.   […]

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