Starting with toy trains

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This handy PDF guide has the information you need to get started in the toy train hobby. Learn about locomotives, track planning, layout tips, buying classics, and making scenery! This PDF is a supplement to Classic Toy Trains magazine, your source for toy train tips and how-to articles, track plans, product reviews, collectible items, and […]

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Denver & Rio Grande Western 4th Division and Rio Grande Southern

MRR-B0413

Name: Denver & Rio Grande, Western 4th Division and Rio Grande Southern Layout designer: Jim Hoffman Scale: HOn3 (1:87.1, narrow gauge) Size: D&RGW 24 x 28 feet, RGS 18 x 26 feet Prototype: D&RGW, RGS Locale: New Mexico/Colorado Era: late 1930s to early 1940s Style: walk-in Mainline run: 160 feet Minimum radius: 20″ Minimum turnout: […]

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Forest Park Southern

MRR-A0413_APLAN

Name: Forest Park Southern Layout designer: Bill Doll Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 33′-0″ x 48′-4″ Prototype: freelanced, inspired by the Chesapeake & Ohio Locale: Appalachian Mountains Era: 1950 to 1955 Style: walk in Mainline run: 250 feet Minimum radius: 30″ Minimum turnout: no. 8 (main), no. 6 (yard) Maximum grade: 1 percent Originally appeared in […]

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Lake Nipigon Northern RR

MRR-I0413_Ontario

Name: Lake Nipigon Northern RR Layout designer: Tom McRae Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 9 x 11 feet Prototype: freelanced Locale: Ontario, Canada, north of Lake Superior Era: flexible Style: around-the-walls Mainline run: 16 feet, plus branch Minimum radius: 30″ (main), 24″ (branch) Minimum turnout: no. 6 Maximum grade: 3 percent Originally appeared in the April […]

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Building the HO scale Winter Hill quarry branch, part 7

Cody Grivno next to layout with scenery

As the Model Railroader staff continues to work on the scenery for the HO scale Winter Hill quarry branch, it becomes apparent that they need to add the illusion of distance to the scene. An easy solution to this common model railroading problem is to add a distant treeline along the layout backdrop. Follow associate […]

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Building the HO scale Winter Hill quarry branch, part 8

Cody Grivno pours plaster into a mold

For the Winter Hill project the Model Railroader staff needed to add rock castings to the scene around the quarry branch. Associate editor Cody Grivno shows you how to make rock castings using molds and a light plaster product called Hydrocal. Cody also provides tips for trimming the castings and applying the finished rocks to […]

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Building the HO scale Winter Hill Quarry Branch part 9

Hand painting scenery

The long rock wall is an important scenery feature on the HO scale Winter Hill Quarry Branch project model railroad. Now that the Hydrocal castings are in place, Model Railroader associate editor Cody Grivno will paint and weather the castings so that they look like real rocks. Cody uses a variety of techniques for the […]

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Building the HO scale Winter Hill quarry branch, part 7

Cody Grivno next to layout with scenery

As the Model Railroader staff continues to work on the scenery for the HO scale Winter Hill quarry branch, it becomes apparent that they need to add the illusion of distance to the scene. An easy solution to this common model railroading problem is to add a distant treeline along the layout backdrop. Follow associate […]

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