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Making Plexiglas safety fence
Section: How To
Construct a simple and reliable helix
A house, a car, and a layout all have something in common: they turn out better when they’re built on a solid framework. This is especially true of a helix. A helix – a spiral ramp meant to lift a model train from one level of a layout to another – may not be prototypical, […]
“The Great Train Story” exhibit
What can you build with $3.5 million in donations, two professional model-building companies, and thousands of hours put in by more than 40 artists and modelers, and a score of volunteers? How about The Great Train Story, a 3,500-square-foot HO scale model railroad that includes key features of Chicago, Seattle, and an impressive representation of […]
Techniques for freight car weathering
Prototype. The Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic 50-foot double-door boxcar in the 1970 photo to the right inspired Bob’s modification and weathering of an HO model. William Raia photo Finished model. By using weathering techniques and making some minor modifications, author Bob Rivard transforms an HO scale InterMountain model into the well-worn freight car shown. […]
Bill Hildebrand’s O gauge Erie Lackawanna railroad layout
Bill Hildebrand used scale drawings and inexpensive hardboard material to construct an O gauge model of the famous Hoboken Terminal. Ornate architecture, magnificent concourses, and a seemingly endless parade of people and trains are just a few of the characteristics that make large passenger train terminals just as captivating on toy train layouts as they […]
Kitbash a unique O gauge railroad station
Richard Van de Kieft formed an impressive O gauge passenger terminal out of two MTH structures. Photos by Michael Raynor 2. A motor tool with a cutting disk quickly removes a tapered support along the interior ledge. 3. Use a razor saw to cut the ledge and separate the walls. 1. Use a Phillips-head screwdriver […]
An innovative indoor/outdoor O-scale line
1. A Southern Pacific 2-8-4 Berkshire with a Vanderbilt tender takes a freight train over the bridge. Nothing in the picture suggests that this garden line is actually built up on benchwork. Bill Hook 2. Full-size trees and the lake in the background can be seen in this dramatic view from behind the railroad. The […]
Glenwood & Sierra RR.
Name: Glenwood & Sierra RR. Layout designer: Sy Diamond Scale: N (1:160) Size: 7′-6″ x 13′-0″ feet Theme: freelanced Locale: various locations across North America Era: 1950s (steam to diesel transition) Style: around the walls with aisle Mainline run: 75 feet Minimum radius: 17″ Minimum turnout: no. 4 Maximum grade: 2.5 percent Click on the […]
Milwaukee Road, Morton Branch
Name: Milwaukee Road, Morton Branch Layout designer: Eric Williams Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 9 x 11 feet Prototype: Milwaukee Road Locale: Morton, Wash. Era: 1945 to 1950 Style: Around-the-walls Mainline run: 34 feet Minimum radius: 32″ (visible), 24″ (staging) Minimum turnout: Peco medium radius Maximum grade: 4 percent Click on the link to download the […]
Milwaukee Road, Morton Branch
Name: Shadowton Ridge NorthernLayout designer: Matt HewittScale: HO (1:87.1)Size: 30 x 45 feetTheme: freelanced subsidiary of the Norfolk & Western Ry.Locale: West VirginiaEra: 1956Style: multilevel walkaroundMainline run: 325 feetMinimum radius: 32″Minimum turnout: no. 6Maximum grade: 1.6 percent (in helix) Click on the link to download the PDF of this track plan. […]
Tips to rejuvenate postwar freight cars
In the September 2010 issue, I showed how I rejuvenated a postwar Lionel No. 2458 boxcar. It’s one of several cars I bought from my local hobby shop’s bargain shelf. Here are photos of a few more cars I worked on, along with comments on what I did to improve their appearance. Sunoco tank car […]
How to lay flex track
Trackwork at the Hoot Valley complex shows #8 limestone gravel roadbed underlying the #9 limestone ballast. The near track is the mainline and the other is the lumber-yard and engine-service siding. (The mainline runs through the train-storage shed in the background.) Don Parker Now it’s time to get that track onto prepared roadbed […]
