Mid-sized to the max

CTT-T1111_PLANpassenger

Layout designer: Terry Thompson Scale: O Layout size: 6 x 12 feet Track type: Lionel O Minimum curve: O-31 Originally appeared in the November 2011 issue of Classic Toy Trains. Click on the link to download a PDF of this track plan. Passenger track plan Freight track plan Parts list […]

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N scale Southern Ry. Spartanburg Subdivision

Southern Ry. Spartanburg Subdivision

Name: Spartanburg Subdivision Layout designer: Steven Otte Scale: N (1:160) Size: 3′-0″ x 5′-6″ Prototype: Southern Ry. Locale: upstate South Carolina Era: early 1940s Style: island Minimum radius: 9-3/4″ Mainline run: 11 feet Minimum turnout: no. 5 Originally appeared in the October 2011 issue of Model Railroader. Click on the link to download the PDF […]

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Readers’ Choice RR FasTrack plan

CTT-T0911_ALead

Layout designer: Kent Johnson Scale: O Layout size: 4 x 8 feet Track type: Lionel FasTrack Minimum curve: O-36 Originally appeared in the September 2009 issue of Classic Toy Trains. Click on the link to download a PDF of this track plan. Track plan Parts list […]

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Readers’ Choice RR extension template

CTT-R0911_template

Just like the original section of our project railroad, our preferred method of transferring a track plan to a flat tabletop uses a computer to download and print out the full-scale template of the Readers’ Choice Railroad so we can easily tell how track, accessories, and some scenery elements work on our 3 x 8-foot […]

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Build a lightweight O gauge layout

CTT-G0106_ASGAUGE

Layout designer: Kent Johnson Scale: O Layout size: 5 x 9 feet Track type: MTH RealTrax Minimum curve: O-31 Originally appeared as an S gauge track plan in the January 2006 issue of Classic Toy Trains. The plan was redrawn incorporating MTH RealTrax track components. Be sure to account for the changes in height required […]

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CTT Readers’ Choice RR

CTT-R0211_APLAN

Layout designer: Kent Johnson and Bob Keller Scale: O Layout size: 4 x 8 feet Track type: Lionel O Minimum curve: O-31 Originally appeared in the February, March, May, and July 2011 issues of Classic Toy Trains. Readers’ Choice Railroad Track Plan Template Readers’ Choice Railroad Schematics Readers’ Choice Parts List     […]

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A small, simple, and amazingly sensible plan

CTT-I0506_APLAN

Layout designer: Kent Johnson, for the May 2006 issue of Classic Toy Trains. Scale: O Layout size: 5 x 9 feet Track type: Lionel tubular track Minimum curve: O-31   See a PDF version of this track plan by clicking here. See a PDF version of the schematics by clicking here.   […]

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Building Bay Junction part 22

Dana Kawala next to layout

Don’t miss the last episode of our Building Bay Junction video journal. The editors wrap up the series by describing the various finished structures and scenes on the Model Railroader HO scale Bay Junction model train layout. Be sure to post your comments below, and thank you for watching! […]

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Building Bay Junction part 22

Dana Kawala next to layout

Don’t miss the last episode of our Building Bay Junction video journal. The editors wrap up the series by describing the various finished structures and scenes on the Model Railroader HO scale Bay Junction model train layout. Be sure to post your comments below, and thank you for watching! […]

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Readers’ Choice Railroad Track Plan Template

CTT-R0311_template

Our preferred method of transferring a track plan to a flat tabletop uses a computer to download and print out the full-scale template of the Readers’ Choice Railroad so we can easily tell how track, accessories, and some scenery elements work on our 4 x 8-foot perimeter. Download the template here. […]

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Industries and tracks at Williams Bay

Industries and tracks at Williams Bay

Name: Bay Junction (Milwaukee, Racine & Troy) industries and tracks Layout designers: The MR staff Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 6′-8″ x 26′-0″ Theme: freelanced junction town Locale: southern Wisconsin Era: 1990s Style: walkaround Mainline run: 42 feet Minimum radius: 30″ (except as noted) Minimum turnout: no. 6 Maximum grade: 3 percent Originally appeared in the […]

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Building Bay Junction 20

Kent Johnson next to layout backdrop

Model Railroader executive editor Andy Sperandeo finishes up the corn syrup transloading terminal in Williams Bay. He’s adding a Walthers HO scale chain link fence. Associate editor Cody Grivno is in the workshop detailing diesel locomotives for the Milwaukee, Racine & Troy. You’ll also see associate editors Steve Otte and Kent Johnson working on other […]

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