Thin Branch Series: Switchmotor part 2 – wiring

A close-up of model tracks.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page To operate the turnouts on your layout by remote control requires some sort of switch machine or motor. In part 2 of this video series, we install a DC power bus, connect the motors and toggle switches, and align the mechanism to work […]

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Thin Branch Series: Wiring a model railroad for DCC

David Popp showing wiring.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Wiring for your model railroad depends upon the type of control system you wish to use. When working with Digital Command Control, you’ll need a power bus and feeders. In this video we show you how we installed those items on our Thin […]

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3D Track Plan: The HO scale Coloma Plan

HO scale Coloma Plan 3d track plan

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page 3D Track Plans take designs found in the pages of Model Railroader magazine and explores them in depth. This episode looks at Perry Amicangelo’s design for his HO scale Coloma, Wisconsin 9 x 13 foot layout. […]

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3D Track Plan: The HO scale Coloma Plan

HO scale Coloma Plan 3d track plan

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page 3D Track Plans take designs found in the pages of Model Railroader magazine and explores them in depth. This episode looks at Perry Amicangelo’s design for his HO scale Coloma, Wisconsin 9 x 13 foot layout. […]

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Model Railroader 2013 Layout Progress Tour

Train pulling multiple cars

FULL SCREEN Follow along with the Model Railroader staff as they visit six model railroads, including Steve Otte’s HO scale Cincinnati, Lebanon & Northern model railroad. FULL SCREEN Our group met at Maxim’s train depot restaurant in Oconomowoc, Wisc., for breakfast. The town’s name is pronounced Oh-con-o-mo-woc. The train depot is on the route of the […]

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Forest Park Southern

MRR-A0413_APLAN

Name: Forest Park Southern Layout designer: Bill Doll Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 33′-0″ x 48′-4″ Prototype: freelanced, inspired by the Chesapeake & Ohio Locale: Appalachian Mountains Era: 1950 to 1955 Style: walk in Mainline run: 250 feet Minimum radius: 30″ Minimum turnout: no. 8 (main), no. 6 (yard) Maximum grade: 1 percent Originally appeared in […]

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Lake Nipigon Northern RR

MRR-I0413_Ontario

Name: Lake Nipigon Northern RR Layout designer: Tom McRae Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 9 x 11 feet Prototype: freelanced Locale: Ontario, Canada, north of Lake Superior Era: flexible Style: around-the-walls Mainline run: 16 feet, plus branch Minimum radius: 30″ (main), 24″ (branch) Minimum turnout: no. 6 Maximum grade: 3 percent Originally appeared in the April […]

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