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 […]

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Menard’s Cripple Creek General Store on Bob’s Train Box 82

Menards Cripple Creek General Store

Menards Cripple Creek General Store is in the new product showcase for Bob’s Train Box 82. Then Bob and CTT editor Hal Miller have a show-and-tell about the types of track available for Standard, O, and S gauge hobbyists including tubular, integral roadbed, and scale-like. There are lots of choices if you’re just starting a […]

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Robert McLaughlin’s N scale Sierra Northern layout

Sierra Northern track plan

Facts & features Name: Sierra Northern Scale: N (1:160) Size: 3′-0″ x 7′-6″ Prototype: Northern Pacific, Southern Pacific, Union Pacific Locale: Western mountain railroad Era: 1949 Style: island Mainline run: 18 feet Minimum radius: 16″ Minimum turnout: no. 4 (main line), no. 6 (branch) Maximum grade: none Benchwork: hollow-core door Height: 42″ Roadbed: cork Track: […]

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Tom Barker’s S gauge layout in action

Tom Barkers S gauge layout

Tom Barker’s S gauge layout is inspired by a vintage American Flyer dealer display. It features a lot of action and fun! It appears in the July-August issue of Classic Toy Trains. Subscribers can see how he built the circular four-tier structure that’s the centerpiece of the layout here. […]

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American Flyer S gauge train display construction

American Flyer S gauge train display construction

An American Flyer S gauge train display construction video shot by Tom Barker; his layout appears in the July-August issue of Classic Toy Trains. The item is inspired by a vintage American Flyer train dealer display. Subscribers can click here to see video of the layout in action. […]

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American Flyer S gauge train display construction

American Flyer S gauge train display construction

An American Flyer S gauge train display construction video shot by Tom Barker; his layout appears in the July-August issue of Classic Toy Trains. The item is inspired by a vintage American Flyer train dealer display. Subscribers can click here to see video of the layout in action. […]

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Tom Barker’s S gauge layout in action

Tom Barkers S gauge layout

Tom Barker’s S gauge layout is inspired by a vintage American Flyer dealer display. It features a lot of action and fun! It appears in the July-August issue of Classic Toy Trains. Subscribers can see how he built the circular four-tier structure that’s the centerpiece of the layout here. […]

Read More…

Make a Lake, Part 3 | Back on Track, Episode 20

Make a lake, part 3 – It’s all water under the bridge for this episode of the Back on Track mini-series, hosted by Gerry Leone on his HO scale Bona Vista RR. With the lakebed colors applied, Gerry shows how to add water effects, as well as a few special details a keen-eyed visitor might […]

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Make a Lake, Part 3 | Back on Track, Episode 20

Make a lake, part 3 – It’s all water under the bridge for this episode of the Back on Track mini-series, hosted by Gerry Leone on his HO scale Bona Vista RR. With the lakebed colors applied, Gerry shows how to add water effects, as well as a few special details a keen-eyed visitor might […]

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Two vintage N scale track plans

Sepia toned track plan

Enjoy these two vintage N scale track plans, taken from the 1969 Kalmbach Media book N Scale Model Railroad Track Plans. These two layouts were in a chapter called “Permanent Railroads.”   Download the PDF containing both track plans.  The Dapperling Railroad This line serves Cassville, Browntown, a mine, and a logging operation. During the […]

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One room, two track plans

two track plans

Facts & features Name: “The Loop” City Belt Line Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 9 x 14 1/2 feet Theme: industrial switching Locale: Midwest Era: 1950s-1960s Style: around-the-walls Mainline run: 30 feet Minimum radius: 18″ Minimum turnout: no. 4 Maximum grade: none Name: “The Dogbone” Canis & Ossa RR Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 9 x 14 […]

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