Name: Southbay Western Layout owner: Steve Kibort Scale: N (1:160) Size: 8 x 8 feet Prototype: Freelanced, inspired by Denver & Rio Grande Western Locale: Colorado Rockies Era: Late 1950s Style: double-deck Mainline run: 300 feet (including helix and double reversing loop) Minimum radius: 11″ Minimum turnout: no. 5 Maximum grade: 2 percent Benchwork: modular […]
Section: How To
Ask MR bonus: Waybills and operating forms
Download waybills and engine and caboose assignment cards for your model railroad operating sessions. Learn about routing non-revenue equipment in the new Ask MR column in the December 2015 Model Railroader. You can also download these waybills and operating forms, including contributing editor Tony Koester’s caboose assignment card and engine assignment card as well as […]
Visit the Morning Glow Railroad
Name: Morning Glow Railroad Size: Irregular L-shaped 100′ x 150′ Scale: 1:29 Gauge: Nº 1 (45mm) Era: 1960 to present—all diesel Theme: Southern Pacific—Donner Pass to Tehachapi Age: 3 years Motive power: All battery Length of mainline: 1,101′ Maximum gradient: 3 % Track: Code-250 stainless steel; #10 pneumatic turnouts Minimum radius: 7′ Water features: 500-gallon […]
Get your trains back on track
Download a PDF of the article here. […]
A modified bonsai technique for miniaturizing trees
1. A five-to-six-year-old Washington hawthorn tree on the author’s former railroad. Don Parker 2. A potted three-to-four-year-old hawthorn growing in the Hoot ’n’ Holler railroad garden. (Note the use of double potting to aid in getting the tree out of the ground for root pruning. Also note the thorns.) Don Parker 3. A dawn redwood […]
Sanders Blue dwarf Alberta spruce
Nancy Norris Common name: Sanders Blue dwarf Alberta spruce Latin name: Picea glauca ‘Sanders Blue’ aka P.g. ‘Sanderi’ Plant type: Dwarf conifer USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9 (winter protection in Zones 3-5) Cultural needs: Moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil, sun or part shade Plant size: 4-6′ high by 2-3′ wide in 10 years, if not pruned […]
HO scale Fairhope & Northern
Name: Fairhope & Northern RR Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 14 x 22 feet Prototype: freelanced, inspired by New York, New Haven & Hartford Locale: New England Era: 1950s Style: walk-in Mainline run: 84 feet Minimum radius: 26″ (visible track), 22″ (hidden track) Minimum turnout: no. 4 Maximum grade: 3 percent Benchwork: L-girder Height: 40″ to […]
Rick Stern’s HO scale Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe
Name: Santa Fe Scale: HO Size: 30 x 48 feet Prototype: freelanced, inspired by Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Locale: Southern California Era: early 1950s Style: walk-in Mainline run: 360 feet Minimum radius: 34″ (main), 26″ (branch) Minimum turnout: no. 6 (main), no. 5 (secondary), no. 4 (branch) Maximum grade: 4 percent Benchwork: open frame […]
Build the Lionel Lines track plan
Layout designer: Ray Stuber Scale: O Layout size: 6 1/2 x 12 Track type: Lionel tubular Minimum curve: O-31 Originally appeared in the December 2015 issue of Classic Toy Trains magazine Build the Lionel Lines track plan Build the Lionel Lines track plan overview […]
Winston-Salem Southbound Series: Installing a hardboard backdrop, Part 3 – Layout lighting
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page This episode of the ongoing backdrop installation series highlights (pun intended) how David added an inexpensive track lighting fixture along the top edge of the hardboard. David wasn’t entirely pleased with the resulting bright lights at eye level, so you’ll get to see […]
HO scale Detroit North Yard Branch
Name: Conrail Shared Assets, Detroit North Yard Branch Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 26 x 42 feet Prototype: Conrail Shared Assets Locale: Detroit, Michigan Era: modern (2005) Style: double-deck walkaround Mainline run: 230 feet Minimum radius: 28″ (main), 24″ (industry) Minimum turnout: no. 6 (main), no.5 (industry) Maximum grade: 2 percent Benchwork: L-girder Height: 42″ (lower […]
HO scale Southern Pacific Shasta Route
Name: Southern Pacific Shasta Route Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 24 x 26 feet Prototype: Southern Pacific Locale: Northern California Period: mid-1950s Style: walk-in Mainline run: 230 feet Minimum radius: 36″ Minimum turnout: no. 8 (main), no. 6 (yards) Maximum grade: 11⁄2 percent Benchwork: open grid and L-girder Height: 49″ to 58″ Roadbed: Homasote on T-girder […]