The Tortoise and Lizard Bash Garden Railroad

A model train running on a bridge in a garden railroad

The Tortoise & Lizard Bash Garden Railroad at a glance Name: Tortoise & Lizard Bash Railroad Size of railway: 52′ x ~20′ plus a 10′ x 15′ “L” Scale: Trains, 1:29; structures, 1:24 Gauge: Nº 1 (45 mm) Era: September 1957 Theme: Fantasy, town and country mainline, and switching Age: 15 years Motive power: Primarily […]

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The Wascana Canyon Railway

The Wascana Canyon Railway

The Wascana Canyon Railway at a glance Name: Wascana Canyon Railway, with operating rights for Canadian Pacific Railway Size of railway: About 30′ x 40′ Scale: 1:29 Gauge: Nº 1 (45 mm) Era: Past 30 years Theme: Mainline shipping of grain, containers, and petroleum Age: Six years Motive power: USA Trains SD-70, two GP 38-2s, […]

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Visit a 1970s branch line

Visit a 1970s branch line

UP/CB&Q at a glance Name: Union Pacific & CB&Q Size of railroad: 40′ x 40′ Scale: 1:29 Gauge: Nº 1 Era: 1970 Theme: Southern Nebraska branch line featuring joint UP & CB&Q operations Age: 9 years Motive power: USA Trains Alco S-4s, GP-30, GP-7, F-3 Length of mainline: 180′ Maximum gradient: 2.5% Type of track: […]

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Building a 5 x 8 harbor railroad part 6

Neil Besougloff and Hal Miller next to a layout

The South Carolina scenery starts to take shape on the Model Railroader staff’s Rice Harbor project. Editor Neil Besougloff describes some of the material used for ground cover, while managing editor Hal Miller tackles the garden tracks and cinder ballast of the Seaboard Shore Line’s engine terminal. Meanwhile senior editor Dana Kawala works to build […]

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Building a 5 x 8 harbor railroad part 5

Hal Miller next to a layout

Follow Hal Miller as he shows you the progress on the latest Model Railroader staff project layout. Much of the trackwork is complete. Work is also underway on the compact engine terminal, including a motorized, Digital Command Control turntable from Walthers that Hal has installed. Jim Hediger is also at work on a prominent structure […]

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Family Train Layout: Bonus Episode – building a plastic kit

Family Train Layout building a plastic kit

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page In this bonus installment of the Family Train Layout project, David guides viewers through the steps for building a simple plastic water tower kit. Of course, the tools and modeling techniques demonstrated here can also be used to assemble numerous other structures for […]

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Video: Building a 5 x 8 harbor railroad part 4

Steve Otte working on a model house.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Structures and trackwork dominate this episode of the Model Railroader staff’s Rice Harbor video journal. Associate editor Steve Otte describes the lighthouse for Rice Harbor. Steve built the structure from a Branchline Trains kit, and the model also features a working beacon. Editor […]

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Building a 5 x 8 Harbor Railroad part 3

A Model Railroader holding a model building.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Layout designer David Popp describes his strategy for using various turnouts on the Rice Harbor project layout. The turnouts are controlled by New Rail Models Blue Point controllers. You’ll also get a look at the benchwork for the folding staging track and see […]

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Building a 5 x 8 Harbor Railroad part 2

Hands holding a structure

Work continues on the Model Railroader staff’s HO scale Rice Harbor project layout. David Popp begins track work on the railroad. Editor Neil Besougloff discusses his options for modeling a passenger station that will fit the model railroad’s setting and era. […]

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Family Train Layout: episode 5 – adding hills and trees

Family Train Layout adding hills and trees

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page In this fifth and final installment of the Family Train Layout project, David shows viewers how to spruce up the railroad by adding a vacuum-formed hill, trees, and other small details. Would you like to learn more about how to get started in the […]

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