Walt Downer’s collection of Lionel Factory Layouts

Walt Downer’s collection of Lionel Factory Layouts Ever since Walt Downer can remember, he has been fascinated by things that move. That desire to see something move explains the approach Walt has taken to collecting Lionel trains and accessories from the postwar era. Passionate about Lionel history, he set out to build a great collection […]

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Polar Express five-day layout build

scene of toy train on holiday layout

The Classic Toy Trains staff built the Polar Express layout over a five day period, from benchwork to final scenery. The layout features scenes from the beloved movie, including the Hero Boy’s house, the train crossing the frozen river, and the city scene where the First Gift of Christmas is given. Staffers Hal Miller, Roger […]

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The Back Creek Paper layout in HO scale

A model railroad trackplan

Facts & features   Name: Back Creek PaperScale: HO (1:87.1)Size: 10 x 14 feetPrototype: Westvaco Pulp & Paper millLocale: Covington, Va.Era: 1974Style: around-the-wallsMainline run: 28 feetMinimum radius: 30″Minimum turnout: No. 6Maximum grade: none Download a PDF of this trackplan! Buy the October 2023 issue of Model Railroader! […]

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The HO scale Central New York & New England layout

A model railroad trackplan, split-level

Facts & features   Name: Central New York & New EnglandScale: HO (1:87.1)Size: 11 x 19 feet plus 7 x 9-foot helix/staging areaPrototype: freelancedLocale: Maybrook, N.Y., areaEra: mid-1950sStyle: multi-deck walk-inMainline run: 120 feet visible plus 81 feet in helixMinimum radius: 36″Minimum turnout: No. 6 (main), No. 5 (industries)Maximum grade: 1.87% in helixBenchwork: open grid (lower […]

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The Flushing & Brooklyn RR in HO scale

The Flushing & Brooklyn RR trackplan: A model railroad trackplan

Facts & features   Name: The Flushing & Brooklyn RRScale: HO (1:87.1)Size: 3 x 6 feetPrototype: freelanceLocale: Flushing Village, N.Y.Era: 1838Style: portable tabletopMainline run: 12 feetMinimum radius: 15″Minimum turnout: No. 5Maximum grade: noneBenchwork: open gridHeight: 34″Roadbed: noneTrack: Atlas sectional, Peco turnoutsScenery: Woodland Scenics ground foamBackdrop: painted plywoodControl: direct current     Download a PDF of […]

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