How To Track Plan Database HO scale Tar Branch

HO scale Tar Branch

By Angela Cotey | November 21, 2017

| Last updated on January 18, 2021


Download this track plan from the January 2018 Model Railroader

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HOscaleWinstonSalemSouthboundTarBranch
Name: The Tar Branch
Size: 2′-9″ x 8′-2″
Prototype: Winston-Salem Southbound Ry.
Location: Winston-Salem, N.C.
Era: mid-to-late 1950s
Style: shelf
Minimum radius: 20″
Minimum turnout: no. 4
Maximum grade: none
Benchwork: L-girder
Height: 46″
Roadbed: milled Homasote on ½” plywood
Track: handlaid code 83
Scenery: Sculptamold on extruded-foam insulation board and plywood
Backdrop: building photographs with handpainted cloud sky
Control: NCE Digital Command Control

5 thoughts on “HO scale Tar Branch

  1. Would love to do the Tar Branch in Kato Unitrack or even just in N scale. I’ve watched the switching video many times over.

  2. I wasn’t sure which of the many Tar Branch videos/articles in which to include this question, but this seems as good a place as any. The original mock-up featured rows of concrete pillars that were part of the Interstate construction in this area. These obviously were never modeled, but don’t recall that its ever been addressed as to why, or in this case, why not.

  3. Drew Runde, even if you don’t lay your own track, you can use flex track and purchased turnouts to build this plan.

  4. I would love to see this in an Atlas snap track or other snap track configuration. Not everyone is adept in laying their own hand-laid track/

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