Mark Carlson’s HO scale Baraboo Subdivision layout

Mark Carlson's HO scale Baraboo Subdivision layout

Facts & features Name: The Baraboo Subdivision Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 10 x 24 feet Prototype: Chicago & North Western Ry., Madison Division Locale: Baraboo, Wis. Era: variable, from 1956 to 1995 Style: around the walls Mainline run: 38 feet Minimum radius: 30″ Minimum turnout: no. 6 Maximum grade: flat Benchwork: 1 x 4 open […]

Read More…

Bob Phelps’ HO scale Green River layout

trackplan

Facts & features Name: Green River, Wyoming Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 25′-6″ x 38′-0″ Theme: Union Pacific division point yard Locale: Green River, Wyo. Era: 1950s Style: around-the-walls Mainline run: 1,200 feet Minimum radius: 48″ Minimum turnout: Peco medium radius Maximum grade: 1.42 percent Benchwork: open grid on L-girder Height: approximately 36″ Roadbed: cork Track: […]

Read More…

Ron Papiercavich’s N scale Lehigh Valley layout

Facts & features Name: Lehigh Valley Scale: N (1:160) Size: 16′-0″ x 22′-6″ Prototype: Lehigh Valley Locale: eastern Pennsylvania Era: 1968 to 1976 Style: walk-in Mainline run: 90 feet Minimum radius: 13 3/4″ (industrial track), 19″ (main) Minimum turnout: no. 5 (yards), no. 7 (main) Maximum grade: 2 percent Benchwork: open grid Height: 49″ to […]

Read More…

Small O and S gauge layouts have always been part of the hobby

Marx Christmas layout

Small O and S gauge layouts are how the hobby began. To demonstrate the wonders of layouts designed to fit into small spaces, let’s travel back to when most current enthusiasts were youngsters. This most likely means we’re talking about the 25 years immediately following World War II. These men and women can trace their […]

Read More…

Kitbashing a signature structure | Back on Track, Episode 22

In this episode, Host Gerry Leone departs from work directly on the layout itself. Instead, he shares his techniques for customizing an HO scale Walthers grain elevator kit into much larger structure for a specific space. Getting to know Gerry Leone Back on Track host Gerry Leone is just as clever as he is comedic! […]

Read More…

Kitbashing a signature structure | Back on Track, Episode 22

In this episode, Host Gerry Leone departs from work directly on the layout itself. Instead, he shares his techniques for customizing an HO scale Walthers grain elevator kit into much larger structure for a specific space. Getting to know Gerry Leone Back on Track host Gerry Leone is just as clever as he is comedic! […]

Read More…

Chuck Hitchcock’s HO scale Ottawa Junction Ry. layout

Ottawa Junction Ry. layout track plan

Facts & features Name: Ottawa Junction Ry. Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 28 x 30 feet Prototype: Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Locale: Kansas Era: 1952 Style: walk-in Mainline run: 24 feet on Second District, 24 feet on main line through Ottawa Minimum radius: 30″ Minimum turnout: no. 6 Maximum grade: none Benchwork: 3/4″ plywood on […]

Read More…

Mike O’Connell’s O fine scale Pacific Railway & Navigation Co. layout

PR&N Spokane layout track plan

Facts & features Name: Pacific Railway & Navigation Co. Scale: Proto:48 (O fine scale) Size: 40 x 60 feet Prototype: Northern Pacific; Great Northern; Spokane, Portland & Seattle; and PR&N Locale: Pacific Northwest Era: mid-1950s Style: walk-in multi-deck Mainline run: approx. 1,200 feet Minimum radius: 84″ Minimum turnout: no. 7 (spurs), no. 8 (main) Maximum […]

Read More…

Discovery World’s HO scale All Aboard layout

All Aboard layout track plan

All Aboard facts & features Name: All Aboard Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 10 x 35 feet Prototype: freelanced, based on Milwaukee Road Locale: Wisconsin Era: 1940-60s Style: walkaround Mainline run: Red Track, 58 feet; Blue Track, 49 feet Minimum radius: 24″ Minimum turnout: no. 5 (yard), no. 6 (other) Maximum grade: 3 percent Benchwork: open […]

Read More…

Cutting up a 4×8 table

A sheet of graph paper with four sketches showing ways to cut up a sheet of plywood

A lot of model railroads – and model railroaders – start out with that old standby, the 4 x 8-foot train table. The main reason is convenience; 4 x 8 feet is the size of a standard sheet of plywood. Extruded-foam insulation board, a popular train layout scenic foundation material, also comes in that size. […]

Read More…

How can I fill in rail gaps on my N scale layout?

Tweezers are used to insert a strip of white styrene in a rail gap on a handmade turnout

Q: After carefully measuring and cutting rail, too often there is still a gap between the rail ends that some of my N scale cars don’t like. I’ve been trying some different fillers, but it’s a challenge for N gauge. Any suggestions for a gap filler? – Steven Simmerman A: Hi, Steven. Some rail gaps […]

Read More…

Make a Lake, Part 4 | Back on Track, Episode 21

Make a lake, part 4 – In this episode of the Back on Track mini-series, hosted by Gerry Leone on his HO scale Bona Vista model railroad, you’ll see how to apply the finishing touches and details on the water effects, painted backdrop, and adjacent shoreline scenery. All of this and more, as Gerry works […]

Read More…