Installing bus wiring is the next task for MRVP’s Ben Lake to tackle. After that, Ben shows how to wire the Digitrax components used to form the circuit-based detection system on our N scale Canadian Canyons layout. […]
Layout Size: Medium Layouts
Canadian Canyons Series: Part 14 – Wiring staging yard turnouts to a stationary DCC decoder
In this installment of our Canadian Canyons N scale project layout series, MRVP’s Ben Lake lends his Digital Command Control (DCC) expertise to the effort of connecting the staging yard turnouts to a stationary decoder. Follow along as Ben shares his techniques for installing, wiring, and programming Digitrax components used to activate the previously installed […]
HO scale CSX’s KD Subdivision
Name: CSX’s KD Subdivision Layout owner: Brian Moore Layout designer: Bob Sprague Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 15′-0″ x 22′-3″ Prototype: CSX Locale: Eastern Tennessee and Kentucky Era: Present day Style: Multiple-deck walkaround Mainline run: 168 feet Minimum radius: 30″ Minimum turnout: no. 6 Maximum grade: 3 percent Click on the link to download a PDF […]
Canadian Canyons Series: Part 14 – Wiring staging yard turnouts to a stationary DCC decoder
In this installment of our Canadian Canyons N scale project layout series, MRVP’s Ben Lake lends his Digital Command Control (DCC) expertise to the effort of connecting the staging yard turnouts to a stationary decoder. Follow along as Ben shares his techniques for installing, wiring, and programming Digitrax components used to activate the previously installed […]
Seneca Falls
A client asked me to develop a track plan for him that focused on two of his non-train collecting interests: The movie It’s A Wonderful Life, and the Boston Red Sox Major League Baseball club. An odd pairing you think? Not really. What are most toy train layouts but a salute to nostalgia and personal […]
HO scale Claremont Docks RR
Name: Claremont Docks RR Layout owner: Howard R. Lloyd Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 12 x 17 feet Prototype: freelanced, inspired by Lehigh Valley Locale: Jersey City, N.J. Era: September 1944 Style: walkaround Mainline run: 39 feet Minimum turnout: no. 4 Minimum radius: 18″ Maximum grade: 3 percent Benchwork: open grid and L-girder Height: 53″ to […]
N scale Union Pacific Oregon Middle Division
Name: Oregon Middle Division Layout owner: Gary Randall Scale: N (1:160) Size: 15 x 17 feet Prototype: freelance, based on Union Pacific Locale: Pacific Northwest Era: none specified Style: walk-in Mainline run: 150 feet Minimum radius: 16″ Minimum turnout: no. 5 Maximum grade: 3 percent Benchwork: L-girder with spline subroadbed Layout Height: 39″ to 42″ […]
HO scale Union Pacific Daneburg Subdivison
Name: Union Pacific Daneburg Subdivision Layout owner: Pelle Soeborg Scale: HO Size: 11 x 22 feet Prototype: Union Pacific Locale: Freelanced, based on eastern Nebraska and western Iowa Era: present-day Layout style: around the walls Mainline: 60 feet (excluding staging) Minimum radius: 33″ Track: flextrack: code 83 (main), 70 (sidings), and 55 (spurs) Turnouts: no. 6 […]
HO scale Pennsylvania RR Delaware Avenue Branch
Name: Delaware Avenue Branch Track plan designer: Bille Neale Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 9 x 12 feet Prototype: Pennsylvania RR, Delaware Avenue Branch Locale: Philadelphia, Pa. Era: 1920 to 1960 Style: sectional Mainline run: 72 feet Minimum radius: 24″ Minimum turnout: no. 5 Maximum grade: 2.2 percent Train length: 5 feet Height: 0″ to 3.5″ […]
HO scale Union Pacific Spine Line
Name: UP’s Spine Line Layout owner: Bob Sprague Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 10 x 18 feet Prototype: Union Pacific Locale: Eastern Iowa Era: modern Style: double-deck around-the-walls Mainline run: 74 feet visible, plus helixes Minimum radius: 27″ (main), 24″ (industrial and wyes) Minimum turnout: no. 6 Maximum grade: 2.75 percent This track plan originally appeared […]
N scale Union Pacific Spine Line
Click the image to download a copy of the track plan. Name: UP’s Spine Line Layout owner: Bob Sprague Scale: N (1:160) Size: 10′-0″ x 17′-6″ Prototype: Union Pacific Locale: Eastern Iowa Era: modern Style: walkaround Mainline run: 59 feet Minimum radius: 15″ (main), 12″ (industrial and wyes) Minimum turnout: no. 6 Maximum grade: none […]
HO scale Dyer Junction & Eureka
Name: Dyer Junction & Eureka Layout Owner: Jim Molloy Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 5′-4″ x 15′-9″ Prototype: freelance Locale: Northern California Era: mid 1930s Style: shelf Mainline run: 15′-9″ Minimum radius: 15″ Minimum turnout: no. 4 Maximum grade: none Benchwork: 1 x 3 joists topped with 1/4″ plywood and 2″ Styrofoam Height: 43″ Roadbed: 1/16″ […]