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, […]
Layout Size: Small Layouts
Another N scale micro layout
Here is a time-lapse video of the construction of my latest N scale micro-layout project. The layout is a bit less than 24″ in diameter and features a track radius that averages around 9″. The track is ballasted and weathered Kato Unitrack, and the overall layout construction is foam insulation board on top of a […]
Model railroads for small spaces
Don’t think you have room for a model railroad? Check out these layouts that range in style from a narrow shelf to a tabletop to a walk-in design and more. This 20-page article collection from Model Railroader features: two N scale layouts two HO scale layouts an On2½ narrow gauge model railroad You’ll get track plans and […]
Canadian Canyons Series: Part 7 – Installing cork roadbed
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 […]
Canadian Canyons Series: Part 5 – Laying out track centers
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page The base layer is now in position over the benchwork. In this video, David keeps progress rolling and shows how to transfer the track plan from paper to plywood. After drawing a grid on the wood, David continues by marking centerlines for the […]
Canadian Canyons Series: Part 5 – Laying out track centers
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page The base layer is now in position over the benchwork. In this video, David keeps progress rolling and shows how to transfer the track plan from paper to plywood. After drawing a grid on the wood, David continues by marking centerlines for the […]
HO scale Central Vermont RR
Name: Central Vermont Layout owner: Dave Mitchell Scale: HO (1:87.1) Layout size: 4 x 8 feet Prototype: freelanced, inspired by Central Vermont Locale: northern Vermont Era: early 1950s Mainline run: 18 feet Minimum radius: 18″ Minimum turnout: no. 4 Maximum grade: 3.6 percent Benchwork: L-girder Height: 45″ Roadbed: cork on Homasote Track: code 83 sectional […]
How-to Library: Operate The Beer Line, Part 5 – The Afternoon Beer Train
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page There’s just one more job to run on Model Railroader magazine’s all-new HO scale Beer Line layout extension. In this final episode of our operations mini-series, MRVP’s David Popp and MR’s Eric White walk you through the duties that come with running The […]
HO scale West Deerfield Industrial Park
Name: West Deerfield Industrial Park Layout owner: Paul Boehlert Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 6′-8″ x 7′-11″ Theme: industrial switching Locale: northeastern United States (as shown) Era: modern Style: shelf Mainline run: not applicable Minimum radius: 24″ Minimum turnout: no. 5 Maximum grade: none This track plan originally appeared in the February 2017 Model Railroader. Click […]
How-to Library: DCC Installation for large layouts, Part 5 – Going wireless
In this concluding episode of MRVP’s Digital Command Control installation series, David Popp teams up with DCC Programming host Dana Kawala to demonstrate how to add wireless throttles to a large layout. With the railroad untethered, David offers a final overview of the upgrades he made to our HO scale Beer Line layout throughout the […]
Visit the Nutcracker Route
Name: Larry Roth Railroad Name: Nutcracker Route Location: Around the Christmas tree in 2015 Scale: O Theme: Holiday train layout Description: The “Twin Cities” are connected by a loop of MTH track over which runs the Lionel Nutcracker Route train set. The buildings are mostly ceramic from several makers. Other scenery elements include ‘snow’ cloth, […]
Build a Lionel showroom display
Two versions of this track plan, one using tubular track and one using FasTrack. Build a Lionel showroom display […]