Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page Follow an executive special train as it tours the main line of the Model Railroader staff’s Milwaukee, Racine & Troy. Highlights of the MR&T include many scenes that have appeared in the magazine over the years, as well as project model railroads, such […]
Layout Size: Large Layouts
Freight takes the mainline
Name: Peter Atonna Forum User Name: Peter Atonna Railroad Name: Freight takes the Main Location: Paulden, AZ Scale: O Theme: multi era, high rail layout Description: A major layout rebuild is well underway, and it is now far enough along that I can start sharing videos from it. Here is a freight, headed by a […]
HO scale Denver & Rio Grande Western
Name: Denver & Rio Grande Western Layout owner: Ed Miller Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 25′-6″ x 41′-6″ Prototype: D&RGW Locale: Colorado and Utah Era: steam-to-diesel transition Style: around the walls with peninsulas Mainline run: 461 feet Minimum radius: 30″ Minimum turnout: no. 6 Maximum grade: 2 percent Benchwork: open grid Height: 36″ to 49′-6″ Roadbed: […]
HO scale Ogdensburg & Norwood Ry.
Name: Ogdensburg & Norwood Ry., Northern Division Layout owner: Jim Heidt Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 24 x 30 plus 7 x 20 feet Prototype: Ogdensburg & Norwood Locale: upstate New York Era: July 1948 Style: walkaround Mainline run: 404 feet Minimum radius: 24″ Minimum turnout: no. 6 Maximum grade: 3.3 percent Benchwork: L-girder Height: 36″ (lower deck), […]
The Railroad Comes Through The Middle of The House
Name: Peter Martens Forum User Name: Peter_J_M Railroad Name: The Silver Rail Club (founding chapter) Location: Cumberland, Virginia Scale: O-scale Theme: A different kind of ‘music video’. Description: Inspired by Rusty Draper’s 1956 hit song, ‘The Railroad Comes Through The Middle Of The House’, Peter J. Martens, founder of the Silver Rail Club, built this […]
HO scale Milwaukee Beer Line addition
\ Name: Milwaukee Road’s Beer Line Layout owner: Model Railroader staff Scale: HO (1:87.1) Prototype: Milwaukee Road’s Chestnut Street Line Locale: Milwaukee, Wis. Era: 1947 Style: Sectional Mainline run: 24 feet (original layout); 10 feet (addition); 34 feet (total) Minimum radius: 18″ Minimum turnout: no. 4 Maximum grade: none Benchwork: sectional tables Height: 44″ Roadbed: […]
HO scale Santa Fe Eastern
Name: Santa Fe Eastern Layout owner: Les Illes Scale: HO Size: 25 x 35 feet Prototype: Santa Fe (BNSF Ry.) and Southern Pacific (Union Pacific) Locale: Cajon Pass in California Era: 1940s to present Style: walk-in Mainline run: 600 feet in three lines Minimum radius: 30″ Minimum turnout: no. 8 (main), no. 6 (yards) Maximum grade: 2 […]
How-to Library: DCC Installation for large layouts, Part 3 – Adding a Smart Booster
Enhancing our project layout’s Digital Command Control system to allow additional cabs requires the installation of a power booster. In this episode, David Popp shows how to arrange, install, and connect the NCE Smart Booster components, allowing more users to enjoy the fun of operating of our large, HO scale layout! […]
How-to Library: DCC Installation for large layouts, Part 2 – Adding a cab bus
Ready for the next step to installing Digital Command Control on a large model railroad? In this episode, David keeps the train rollin’ by sharing why, where, and how to add plug ports, before he shows how to install a DCC cab bus under the HO scale Beer Line project layout. […]
How-to Library: DCC Installation for large layouts, Part 4 – Setting up power districts
Tired of hassling with an entire layout shutdown when a single train derails on your DCC layout? We certainly were! In this episode, David Popp explains why it happens, and then shows how to remedy this inconvenience by establishing power districts and adding circuit breakers. Watch to see how these easy fixes pave the way […]
HO scale Western Pacific Railroad
Name: Western Pacific RR Layout owner: Jim Pendley Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 20 x 46 feet Prototype: Western Pacific Locale: California’s Sierra Nevada Time periods: 1960s, early 1970s, early 1980s, mid-1980s Style: walkaround Mainline run: 220 feet Minimum radius: 30″ Minimum turnout: no. 8 (main), no. 6 (yards) Maximum grade: 1.5 percent Benchwork: L-girder and […]
How-to Library: DCC Installation for large layouts, Part 1 – Bus lines
In this all-new MRVP series, watch and learn as David Popp walks you through, step-by-step, the full sequence for installing Digital Command Control on a large model railroad. To get things started, David first provides a quick overview of DCC starter systems, and then he gets to work adding a DCC power bus line under […]