Ask Trains.com June 2023 compilation part one

Ask Trains.com June compilation: An image of a man standing behind a table

Ask Trains.com June 2023 compilation part one: Cody answers viewer questions regarding the EMD NW5 diesel locomotives, O scale vehicles compatible with Dungeons and Dragons and other tabletop role-playing games, purchasing a diesel locomotive headlight, and more! Are you looking to learn more about your model railroad, or do you have questions about full-size trains? […]

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The St. Paul & Southern layout in HO scale

An image of the st paul and southern trackplan

Facts & features Name: St. Paul & SouthernScale: HO (1:87.1)Size: 24 x 28 feetPrototype: Chicago & North Western’s “Spine Line”Locale: Minnesota, Iowa, and MissouriEra: 1995Style: Walk-inMainline run: 200 feetMinimum radius: 36″Minimum turnout: No. 6Maximum grade: FlatBenchwork: Open gridHeight: 47″Roadbed: CorkTrack: Micro Engineering flextrackScenery: Extruded-foam insulation boardBackdrop: Painted tempered hardboardControl: Switchable between DC cab control and MRC Prodigy […]

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The Norfolk & Western layout in HO scale

Facts & features Name: Norfolk & Western Scale: HO (1:87.1)Size: 12 x 25 feetPrototype: Norfolk & Western with Baltimore & Ohio and Chesapeake & OhioLocale: Virginia and West Virginia Era: 1950sStyle: Around-the-wallsMainline run: 240 feetMinimum radius: 22″Minimum turnout: No. 4Maximum grade: 4%Benchwork: open gridHeight: 38″ to 66″ Roadbed: corkTrack: Atlas code 100 flextrackScenery: Plaster-impregnated paper […]

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Dave Wendt’s Norfolk & Western in HO scale

Watch trains steaming through the builder’s depiction of coal operations in Virginia and West Virginia in the 1950s. On this layout, mirrors and a cathedral ceiling make the mid-sized HO scale (1:87.1) layout feel much larger! To learn even more about the builder and layout details, be sure to read the July 2023 issue of […]

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Dave Wendt’s Norfolk & Western in HO scale

Watch trains steaming through the builder’s depiction of coal operations in Virginia and West Virginia in the 1950s. On this layout, mirrors and a cathedral ceiling make the mid-sized HO scale (1:87.1) layout feel much larger! To learn even more about the builder and layout details, be sure to read the July 2023 issue of […]

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Ask Trains.com compilation May 2023 part two

Ask Trains.com May compilation two: An image of a man standing next to a model train layout

Ask Trains.com compilation May 2023 part two: Cody Grivno answers viewer questions, including the optimal operating radii for HO scale freight cars, adapting cars to accomodate screw-mounted trucks, and more! Cody is also Joined by Brian Schmidt of Classic Trains and Roger Carp of Classic Toy Trains to help answer questions on Milwaukee Road Little […]

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The Virginia & Western Tidewater District layout in HO scale

An image of a model railroad trackplan

Facts & features Name: Virginia & Western RR, Tidewater DistrictScale: HO (1:87.1)Size: 1′-3″ x 17′-0″Theme: Waterfront industrial districtLocale: Mid-Atlantic tidewaterEra: 1948-54Style: ShelfMainline run: NoneMinimum radius: Cosmetic curvesMinimum turnout: No. 5Maximum grade: NoneBenchwork: Plywood on shelf bracketsHeight: 44″Roadbed: CorkTrack: Handlaid code 70Scenery: tabletopBackdrop: Painted 1⁄4″ plywoodControl: Digitrax DCC Download a PDF of this track plan! Buy […]

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The HO scale Seaboard Central layout

Facts & features Name: The Seaboard Central Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 11′-9″ x 22′-9″ Prototype: Proto-freelanced Era: Spring 2015 Locale: Griffin, Ga. Style: Walk-in Mainline run: 68 feet Minimum radius: 24″ Minimum turnout: No. 6 Maximum grade: None Benchwork: Open grid, sectional Height: 40″ Roadbed: Cork, trackbed Track: Micro Engineering code 83 flextrack Scenery: Foam […]

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Ask Trains.com compilation May 2023 part one

Ask Trains.com May compilation: An image of a man standing behind a workbench

Ask Trains.com compilation May 2023 part one: In this painting-themed installment, Cody Grivno answers viewer questions on topics ranging from how to accurately paint a Central Florida CF7 as seen in the May 2023 Model Railroader, to where to find affordable locomotives and how to paint them, and more! Are you looking to learn more […]

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