The Salt Lake Route, Part 4 – Wiring a small layout for DCC

MRRC0310_602

Dick Christianson explains how to wire the Salt Lake Route for Digital Command Control. He concealed the system’s command station in a drawer built beneath the layout’s intermodal yard. Bill Zuback photo Fig. 1 Power feeders. Last month Dick explained how to install Kato Unitrack power feeders during tracklaying. He used plug-in sections on the […]

Read More…

The Salt Lake Route, Part 3: Laying realistic sectional track

MRRC0310_601

A pair of Union Pacific freights bank into the superelevated curves on the N scale Salt Lake Route. Dick Christianson explains how he installed Kato Unitrack, including the firm’s new double-track sections with superelevated curves (inset), on our project layout. One of the parameters Model Railroader gave me regarding the N scale project layout was […]

Read More…

Canadian Canyons Series: Part 9 – Laying flextrack

David Popp holding flex track

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Trackwork continues on our N scale project railroad. In this installment of the ongoing Canadian Canyons series, David Popp shares techniques for laying down more sections of flextrack, specifically around the curves of the staging yard. […]

Read More…

Canadian Canyons Series: Part 9 – Laying flextrack

David Popp holding flex track

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Trackwork continues on our N scale project railroad. In this installment of the ongoing Canadian Canyons series, David Popp shares techniques for laying down more sections of flextrack, specifically around the curves of the staging yard. […]

Read More…

The Salt Lake Route, Part 1: The inspiration for a small layout

MRRC0110_01

The rugged mountain desert scenery of the Meadow Valley Wash provides a picturesque backdrop for trains on the N scale Union Pacific Salt Lake Route. The 4 x 9-foot model railroad, built by retired managing editor Dick Christianson, features Kato Unitrack with superelevated curves. Model Railroader associate editor Cody Grivno and graphic designer Drew Halverson […]

Read More…

Canadian Canyons Series: Part 8 – Staging yard turnouts

David Popp next to layout

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page David dives into laying track in the staging yard on our N scale project railroad, but before he even opens that brand-new box of flextrack, there’s a lot of other work to do, including painting the roadbed, drilling holes for the switch motors, […]

Read More…

Canadian Canyons Series: Part 7 – Installing cork roadbed

David Popp next to layout

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page The plywood panels are now in place, and the track centerlines are all marked! In this episode of the Canadian Canyons series, it’s time for David to begin the track laying effort by first installing cork roadbed. Follow along, as he demonstrates tips […]

Read More…