Charlie Bailey’s O gauge layout

A toy train trackplan which appeared in the Classic Toy Trains magazine Summer 2024 issue

Name: Charlie Bailey’s O gauge layoutDimensions: 42 x 49 feet Track and switches: Atlas O (maximum diameter 96 inches)Motive power: Lionel, MTHRolling stock: Lionel, MTH, WalthersControls: Lionel transformers with LegacyAccessories: American Flyer, Lionel, Marx, Miller Engineering, Millhouse River StudioStructures: Lionel, Menards, MTH, Plasticville, scratchbuilt, TW TrainWorx, Wm. K. Walthers, Woodland ScenicsVehicles: Diecast Direct, Menards, Woodland […]

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8 guidelines for handicap accessible toy train layouts

overview of model train layout

Model railroading — in any scale — can be a challenging hobby for people with disabilities, whether caused by illness, accident, or age. In addition, visitors who use a wheelchair or walker may find it difficult to view distant points on a large layout. The pike shown here was built with such limitations in mind. […]

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Gary Wronkiewicz’s American Flyer layout

scene on toy train layout

At a glance Name: Gary Wronkiewicz’s S gauge layout Dimensions: 10 x 16 feet Track: GarGraves flextrack (diameters range from 40 to 80 inches) Switches: Gilbert American Flyer Motive power: Gilbert American Flyer, S-Helper Service Rolling stock: Gilbert American Flyer Controls: Gilbert American Flyer No. 12B transformer Accessories: Gilbert American Flyer, Marx Structures: Atlas O, […]

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Drew James’ Canada, Spokane & Pacific RR in HO scale

Screen shot of Drew James' Canada, Spokane & Northern in HO scale.

Drew James’ Canada, Spokane & Pacific RR in HO scale portrays a bridge line operation connecting the Burlington Northern and Canadian Pacific railroads in the 1980s. You can read more about the layout in the June 2024 issue of Model Railroader magazine. But first, you’ll want to see the action on this distinctive Pacific Northwest […]

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Drew James’ Canada, Spokane & Pacific RR in HO scale

Screen shot of Drew James' Canada, Spokane & Northern in HO scale.

Drew James’ CS&P HO scale model railroad portrays a bridge line operation connecting Burlington Northern and Canadian Pacific railroads in the 1980s. You can read more about the layout in the June 2024 issue of Model Railroader magazine. But first, you’ll want to see the action on this distinctive Pacific Northwest setting — where you’ll […]

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Spaces to Places V | Highway construction, part 5

Host Gerry Leone sets his sights on highway construction for his HO scale Bona Vista model railroad. Catch up with his off-camera preliminary efforts, before following his technique for making authentic roads and streets using medium-grit sandpaper. As he notes, even more insights regarding this technique can be viewed in a prior Trains.com video series, […]

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The Pickering & Sierra RR layout in multiple scales

A model railroad track plan

Facts and features   Name: Pickering & Sierra RRScale: HO (1:87.1), HOn3, dual gauge, and HOn21⁄2 (dummy)Size: 20′-7″ x 23′-3″ Prototype: freelanced, inspired by Pickering Lumber Co. and Sierra Ry.Locale: Sierra Nevada mountainsEra: 1920s to 1940sStyle: walk-inMainline run: 220 feetMinimum radius: 17″ (logging)Minimum turnout: No.4Maximum grade: 4%Benchwork: open gridHeight: 36″ to 57″Roadbed: plywood and HomasoteTrack: […]

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The Canada, Spokane & Pacific layout in HO scale

A model railroad track plan

Facts and features   Name: Canada, Spokane & PacificScale: HO (1:87.1)Size: 32 x 43 feetPrototypes: Burlington Northern, Canadian PacificLocale: Pacific NorthwestEra: June 1981Style: walk-inMainline run: 260 feetMinimum radius: 36″Minimum turnout: No. 6Maximum grade: 2%Benchwork: L-girderHeight: 39″ to 46″Roadbed: HomasoteTrack: Atlas code 83 flextrackScenery: plaster gauze over cardboard web covered with Structolite Backdrop: LARC Products photo […]

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Structures buyer’s guide in O and S scales

model gas station

Even the smallest layout needs at least a few structures on it. We’ve compiled a list of manufacturers offering products in O and S scale. We’ve noted each manufacturer’s contact information, what type of structures, the material(s), and if the kits are lighted. Please contact the manufacturer directly if you have questions about their products. […]

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Steve Miazga’s N scale Missabe Junction operating session

Enjoy an insider’s look at an informal operating session hosted on Steve Miazga’s N scale (1:160) model railroad, set in northern Wisconsin. While you can read about the construction of this 14 x16-foot basement layout in Trains.com bonus articles and Model Railroader magazine’s September 2018 issue, the real thrill comes from seeing Steve and his […]

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The Musselshell & Yogo Peak RR

Three orange, red, and black model train engines on a bridge over trees

Yogo Peak, at 8,812 feet above sea level, is located in the Little Belt Mountains on the Judith Basin between Lewiston and Great Falls, Mont. Winding its way through the basin is a tributary of the Missouri River known as the Musselshell River, named by the Lewis & Clark Expedition in 1805 for its abundance […]

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