HO scale Boston & Maine

Track layout

The layout at a glance Name: Boston & Maine Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 14 x 25 feet Prototype: Boston & Maine Locale: Springfield, Mass., to White River Junction, Vt. Era: Autumn, late 1950s Style: around-the-walls Mainline run: 80 feet Minimum radius: 32” Minimum turnout: no. 5 Maximum grade: less than 1 percent Benchwork: L-girder Height: […]

Read More…

HO scale Danefield Modules

HO scale Danefield modules

The layout at a glance Name: Danefield modules Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 28″ x 8′-11″ Prototype: Union Pacific Locale: generic Midwest Era: modern Style: module Mainline run: none Minimum radius: none Minimum turnout: no. 7 Maximum grade: none Benchwork: laser-cut plywood modules Height: 56″ Roadbed: cork Track: handlaid codes 83, 70, and 55 Scenery: plywood […]

Read More…

Train table basics: What to look for when looking for a platform to run trains

Toy train tables are a must-have for almost anyone looking to operate or display their collection — from Lionel and American Flyer to Thomas. Throughout the years, Classic Toy Trains has promoted building tables and Model Railroader has published fine plans for small layouts. But some toy train enthusiasts just want to buy a table […]

Read More…

Modeling the mighty Pennsy in a small space

Pennsylvania RR Juniata Division

A version of this article appeared in Model Railroader’s special issue from 2018: Build a Small Railroad.  Pursuing my hobby concurrently with my military career meant I needed a portable model railroad that could still suggest the scale and intensity of a gigantic prototype in an impossibly small space. I found what I needed in […]

Read More…

Modeling a narrow gauge railroad in a small space

Michigan-California Logging Co.

Modeling a narrow gauge railroad in a small space: Modeling a logging camp requires a variety of structures, trackwork, scenery, figures, and activities. The camp includes not only loggers involved in different pursuits, but also woodchoppers, a laundress, checkers players, engineers and mechanics, stable hands and horses, bears, garbage cans, railroad materials, and more, surrounded […]

Read More…

CSX switching layout in HO scale in 12 square feet

CSX Ridgecrest

A version of this article appeared in Model Railroader’s special issue from 2018: Build a Small Railroad. In today’s world of trains, big 6-axle locomotives, and flashing red lights replacing cabooses, it’s comforting to know that spotting a single boxcar at a warehouse is still an integral part of railroading. Designing the module As I […]

Read More…