See incredible layouts in HO, O, and O scales
A couple of Monon diesels occupy the diamond at Linden, Ind., on Tony Koester’s HO scale Nickel Plate Road St. Louis Division. Thanks to a kit offered by the Monon Historical Society, Tony was able to add the L-shaped freight house to complement the scratch built depot Frank Hodina constructed some years ago to complete the NKP-Monon crossing scene. Tony Koester photo
As larger railroads started retiring steam locomotives in the 1950s, some found new homes on logging lines in the Pacific Northwest. One of those survivors, 2-8-2 Mikado no. 49, lugs a mile-long log train over Salmon Creek trestle on Tyler Whitcomb’s N scale Tenino Western. Tyler Whitcomb photo
Clinchfield unit coal and reefer trains pass at the McClure, Va., paper mill on the upper deck of the Blissfield Model Railroad Club’s HO scale layout in Blissfield, Mich. The club members designed the multi-deck model railroad for prototypical operations. Jeff Watts photo
There’s not much of a better way to take in the stunning scenery of remote British Columbia than riding the back of a caboose with a cup of coffee in hand. Mike May’s HOn3 White Pass & Yukon layout depicts a railroad that lasted a few years longer than its prototype. Mike May photo
Extra 1610 West has completed its coaling stop at Thurmond, W.Va., on Ted Pamperin’s New River Subdivision, enroute to a classified military destination. Since the layout is set during World War II, military bridge traffic is a frequent sight on the HO scale layout. Paul Dolkos photo
Streetcars circle past the iconic Fisherman’s Wharf sign while tourists stroll the San Francisco tourist attraction on Harvey Simon’s HO scale San Francisco F Line traction layout. The trolley line, first seen in the July 2018 issue of Model Railroader, has now reached its destination, passing many recognizable San Francisco landmarks along the way. Harvey Simon photo
A Union Pacific manifest freight rounds the curve along U.S. Highway 79 near Waycross, Texas, on Per Laursen’s HO scale UP model railroad. The contemporary layout is a showcase for modern structure kits made and sold by Per’s company, Summit Customcuts. Per Laursen photo
A customer of the Mattawana post office observes the action as the quiet of the countryside is shattered by a consist of Conrail GP38-2s blasting across the grade crossing on Neal Schorr’s O scale PRR Middle Division. Neal’s son, Steven, superdetailed the Weaver units with painted handrails and black pilots, scale couplers, m.u. hoses, windshield wipers, and more. Neal Schorr photo
A Union Pacific turbine takes a spin on the turntable at the Green River roundhouse on Hilton Glavish’s HO scale Union Pacific layout. Meanwhile, beyond the Green River in the distance, another turbine pulls a reefer train bound for Ogden, Utah. The backdrop and the water are both painted with oil paints on medium density fiberboard. Hilton Glavish photo
Great Model Railroads 2022 is packed with articles, photos, tips, tricks, and track plans from nine incredible layouts in HO, N, and O scales. This gallery features images from all nine of those model railroads. Great Model Railroads 2022 is on sale now at your local hobby store. You can also order directly from our Customer Service hotline at 877-246-4879 or online from KalmbachHobbyStore.com.
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Hilton Glavish’s “Uncoupling on demand” solution with the tortoise switch motor (page 85) is very interesting, but the illustration doesn’t really show how it is constructed or operated. Is there any further illustration of how this great idea works? Bob Vandenburgh, bobvan1@msn.com.