Watch as Cody Grivno, Model Railroader Senior Editor, sets out to paint the rails on the HO scale (1:87.1) East Troy Industrial Park project layout. Learn how to prepare the layout, clean the tracks, and apply paint for a realistic, rusty appearance. Be sure to keep up with the construction progress by linking into the Trains.com […]
2025 NMRA National Convention, Train Show Highlights | Tour with Model Railroader Editor Eric White, as he makes the rounds to visit with small vendors and major manufacturers at the 2025 National Model Railroad Association (NMRA) Convention and Train Show recently held in Novi, Michigan. From new model announcements and releases to helpful modeling products […]
2025 NMRA National Convention, Layout Visits | Tour with Model Railroader Editor Eric White, as he discovers a diverse collection of model railroads from the 2025 National Model Railroad Association (NMRA) National Convention recently held in Novi, Michigan! Explore Steve Smith’s HO scale freelanced Sierra Valley & Harbor Junction; Dan Lewis’s nostalgic N scale Milwaukee […]
Eric White continues his efforts to construct an HO scale glass plant. In this second episode of the Sidetrack Series, he uses cardboard mockups to help envision and shape the structures, meticulously measuring and comparing pieces with prototype photos for accuracy. Eric then shares how he tests the mockups on the East Troy Industrial Park […]
In this all-new Sidetrack Series, Model Railroader Editor Eric White begins building an HO scale (1:87.1) glass plant for the East Troy Industrial Park project layout. See how Eric studies prototype photos and Google Maps to inspire design ideas, and later confirms operational insights with an plant employee. Eric then reveals the Walthers and Pike […]
Facts and features Name: Buffalo & Susquehanna to Wellsville, Addison & GaletonScale: HO (1:87.1)Size: 12′-4″ x 32′-0″Prototype: Buffalo & Susquehanna and Wellsville, Addison & GaletonLocale: north central PennsylvaniaEra: spring 1910 and spring 1950Style: multi-deck walk-inMainline run: 96 feetMinimum radius: 22″Minimum turnout: No. 8Maximum grade: upper level and lower staging, 2%; middle level, noneBenchwork: wall mountedHeight: […]
David and Bryson share the steps they used to install a complete Walthers Switch Machine system on the HO scale (1:87.1) East Troy Industrial Park project layout. To get things started, the pair first explains the features and function of each component. Then it’s straight to the task of installing the parts used to pivot […]
Painting the initial backdrop installation a single shade of blue was just fine to get things started on the HO scale (1:87.1) East Troy Industrial Park project layout. However, David and Bryson share an easy technique for blending the background sky color with the adjacent wall color, and set the stage for those stunning photos […]
Now that trains are running on the HO scale East Troy Industrial Park (ETIP) project layout, David Popp hosts this BONUS video to share some of the behind-the-scenes efforts and design considerations the MR crew still needs to tackle. As so many model railroaders can attest, there’s no such thing as “finished” layout…especially when structure […]
Facts and features Name: Rice Lake, Dallas & Menomonie RRScale: HO (1:87.1)Size: 8 x 30 feetPrototype: Soo LineLocale: northwestern WisconsinEra: early 1950sStyle: walkaroundMainline run: 50 feetMinimum radius: 30″ (main), 18″ (branch)Minimum turnout: No. 5 (main), No. 4 (branch)Maximum grade: noneBenchwork: L-girderHeight: 44″Roadbed:1∕2″ plywood covered with 1∕2″ HomasoteTrack: Atlas code 100 flextrack, Peco and Atlas turnoutsScenery: […]
My layout, The “Casey” Line, was published in the September 2021 Classic Toy Trains. My 30-year project was based on reading a boxful of 1950’s Model Railroader magazines and compiling a list of the best features on model railroads from those articles. Fortunately, I was able to include all the scenic features recommended in those […]
Even though track wiring is in place, our hosts still need to install a Digital Command Control (DCC) system before trains will run on the HO scale (1:87.1) East Troy Industrial Park project layout! David and Bryson first examine the components of the NCE PH5R Power Pro DCC system before working to integrate the parts […]
