Chicago Belt Lines

Chicago Belt Lines

Name: Chicago Belt Lines Layout designer: Clifton Linton and Steven Cox Scale: N scale Size: 8′-6″ x 23′-6″ Prototypes: Baltimore & Ohio Chicago Terminal, Belt Railway Co. of Chicago Locale: Chicago Era: 1970s Style: around the walls Mainline run: 44 feet (B&OCT), 21 feet (BRC) Minimum radius: 11″ Minimum turnout: Peco short Turnout control: Manual […]

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N scale South West Pacific

South West Pacific RR

Name: South West Pacific Layout designer: Clifton Linton Scale: N (1:160) Size: 16′-2″ x 43′-7″ Prototype: Southern Pacific, Western Pacific Locale: California Era: 1953 Style: around-the-walls Mainline run: 158 feet Minimum radius: 18 inches Minimum turnout: no. 6 Maximum grade: 2.5 percent Originally appeared in the November 2012 issue of Model Railroader. Click on the […]

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Sealing powdered pastels

Example of weathering with pastels

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Powdered pastels are very useful for model railroad weathering projects. However, it’s also important to keep the pastels in place. In this expert tip you’ll learn how to properly use clear parts sealer when weathering models with powdered pastels. […]

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Clamps for structure model building

Cody Grivno at his desk

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page There are many useful clamps that will help make your next structure building project a lot easier. Model Railroader associate editor Cody Grivno gives you an overview of the different types of clamps that are available and shows you how to use them […]

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Model Railroader basic training: How to cut rails

Hands cutting a piece of model railroad track

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page When building your model railroad, you may have times when you need to cut track to fit in a certain space. Model Railroader associate editor Cody Grivno will show you how to easily cut track in this basic training video. […]

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Workin’ the Wabash in 7 x 16 feet

CTT-T1112_101

Layout designer: Ray Stuber Scale: O Layout size: 7 x 16 feet Track type: Lionel O Minimum curve: O-31 Originally appeared in the November 2012 issue of Classic Toy Trains. Workin’ the Wabash in 7 x 16 feet track plan Workin’ the Wabash in 7 x 16 feet schematics Workin’ the Wabash in 7 x […]

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Modeling crop fields on an N scale model railroad

The oat harvest is in full swing on Pat Lanas N scale Cedar River Iowa Central

The oat harvest is in full swing on Pat Lana’s N scale Cedar River & Iowa Central. Corn and soybean fields are also visible in the photo. Pat shares techniques for modeling crops using items from craft and home supply stores. Mike Danneman My freelanced N scale Cedar River & Iowa Central Ry. is set […]

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Sand house drawings in 1:29 scale

Sand house drawings in 1:29 scale

Download the PDF of this project here. This PDF is formatted to print on your home printer. Most pieces are formatted to fit on a 8.5″ x 11″ piece of paper. For larger parts of the plan, you will see “break lines.” Line up the break lines to create the larger piece. Please note: This […]

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Animate your outdoor railway

animate1

1. Since 1928, Spruce Falls Power & Paper Company in northern Ontario has provided all the paper for The New York Times, which affectionately calls it “Uncle Spruce.” Jim and Julie Barber model real places from their past and present by building concrete-sided buildings. Protected inside, a smoke machine helps to model a high-pressure weather […]

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Elfin thyme

eflin_thyme

Nancy Norris Common name: Elfin thyme Latin name: Thymus serpyllum ‘Elfin’ Plant type: Groundcover Plant size: 2″ x 6″ and spreading USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9 Cultural needs: Poor, well-drained soil, moderate to low moisture, sun to partial shade Elfin thyme deserves its status as practically everyone’s favorite scale lawn or meadow. It’s about “thyme” this […]

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HO scale Port Thomas & Southern and Timber Ridge Logging Co.

Name: Port Thomas & Southern and Timber Ridge Logging Co. Layout designer: Tom Hawkins Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 10 x 20 feet Prototype: freelanced, based on the Port Townsend & Southern RR Locale: Pacific Northwest Era: early 1900s Style: walk-in Minimum radius: 24″ Minimum turnout: no. 6 (main), no. 4 (yards and sidings) Maximum grade: […]

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