6 simple scenery tips for toy train layouts

Man building model railroad layout working with pink extruded foam board.

Classic Toy Trains recommends these six tried-and-true tips for simple scenery that goes beyond sparse displays of “trees” or a random tunnel and will improve nearly any toy train layout. 1. Start with foam framework A 4 x 8-foot sheet of 2- or 3-inch-thick pink or blue extruded foam insulation board is much lighter than […]

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Five inexpensive garden railroad tools

Grouping of old toothbrushes

Here are five tools for a garden railroad you can make or obtain cheaply. 1. Make a ballast broom If you do a lot of reballasting (or ballasting) on your railway, take an old 4-inch paint brush and attach the handle with screws to an extension pole about 3 feet long. This becomes a mini-broom […]

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Make quick-and-easy junked cars for toy train layouts

Junkyard with painted aluminum foil auto shells.

Toy train layout operators foiled by the lack of inexpensive details can you aluminum foil as the raw materials for unlimited “junked cars.” Best of all, the project won’t strain your how-to skills and will add detail to your layout. You’ll need heavy-duty foil, gloss black paint, your choice of flat colors, a hobby knife, […]

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Off the Rails, Episode 52

Gerry Leone standing in from of his model railroad

What once was lost, has now been found! Hard to believe, but host Gerry Leone left some remarkable tips on the cutting room floor. Being a resourceful guy, he’s collected enough nuggets and polished them into helpful modeling gems for this episode of Off The Rails! […]

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Off the Rails, Episode 52

Gerry Leone standing in from of his model railroad

What once was lost, has now been found! Hard to believe, but host Gerry Leone left some remarkable tips on the cutting room floor. Being a resourceful guy, he’s collected enough nuggets and polished them into helpful modeling gems for this episode of Off The Rails! […]

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Trains.com Holiday Party: Seawalls and waves, Episode 1

David Popp in santa hat next to HO scale layout

The holiday season is here — and that’s a pretty good reason for Trains.com’s preeminent host David Popp to have a party! As the mini-series plays out this month, join David (along with other special guests) as he reveals some of the modeling/layouts projects and quick-hitting techniques keeping him engaged in the hobby. First up, […]

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