A visit to Len Smith’s O gauge Reading layout

Len Smith's layout and the cover of the November 2021 Classic Toy Trains

Take a ride on Len Smith’s O gauge Reading RR featured in the November 2021 issue of Classic Toy Trains. Modern locomotives and rolling stock plus great scenery make this layout a terrific tribute to his favorite fallen flag. Have a look at the track plan here. […]

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Six grade crossings you can model

Asphalt-and-timber crossing on west edge of Wisconsin & Southern yard in Horicon, Wis.

Grade crossings you can model are scene enhancers that you should consider adding to your list of projects. “Why a grade crossing?” you may ask. “I’d rather work on a locomotive, freight car, structure, or [fill in the blank with your favorite aspect of the hobby.]” I get it. Grade crossings you can model introduction […]

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Visit the Burlington Garden Center’s garden railroad

Scenic garden railway

Garden center owner Walt Uebele had an idea—build a garden railway to keep the husbands and kids entertained while the wives shopped. Little did he know that folks of all ages would love watching the trains run. Watch an interview conducted by Production Editor Rene Schweitzer about the railway and its beginnings, only on Trains.com! […]

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Steve Albee’s O gauge layout

Subway cars racing by on an O gauge layout.

Visit Steve Albee’s dual-level O gauge layout that fits in a spare room! This layout is one of many with plans that appears in the fall 2021 CTT special publication Toy train layouts for small spaces. Get your print or digital version here! There are freight trains and subways bringing light, action, and sound to […]

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Steve Albee’s O gauge layout

Subway cars racing by on an O gauge layout.

Visit Steve Albee’s dual-level O gauge layout that fits in a spare room! This layout is one of many with plans that appears in the fall 2021 CTT special publication Toy train layouts for small spaces. Get your print or digital version here! There are freight trains and subways bringing light, action, and sound to […]

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Ken Cook’s O gauge layout

A traditional Lionel layout with modern scenery

Visit Ken Cook’s layout, featured in the September 2021 issue of Classic Toy Trains. Ken mixes postwar Lionel trains with modern track, structures, details, and scenery to create a one-of-a-kind display that entertains your eyes, ears, and imagination. Click here to see the track plan. […]

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Ken Cook’s O gauge layout

A traditional Lionel layout with modern scenery

Visit Ken Cook’s layout, featured in the September 2021 issue of Classic Toy Trains. Ken mixes postwar Lionel trains with modern track, structures, details, and scenery to create a one-of-a-kind display that entertains your eyes, ears, and imagination. Click here to see the track plan. […]

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Cody’s Trackside Finds: A layout-sized engine terminal

Metal enginehouse and sand tower with three BNSF Ry. road locomotives parked by building.

When you think of engine facilities on the BNSF Ry., images of large, multi-bay structures; wash racks; and sand towers and fuel columns that can handle 10 or more locomotives at a time probably come to mind. And that makes perfect senses considering the railroad’s size. BNSF has facilities like this in Alliance (Neb. and […]

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Cody’s Trackside Finds

An end-cab switcher in brown primer and black paint sits on a track next to a farm field.

Independent Locomotive Service (ILSX) and KBN Inc. became co-owners of my hometown railroad, the Minnesota Northern (MNN), in August 2000. Since taking over the short line from RailAmerica, the railroad’s fleet of MNN-painted and lettered diesels has been supplemented with assorted lease units from ILSX. Everything from Electro-Motive Division (EMD) SW1s to SD40T-2s have been […]

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Modeling train scenes from postcards

Black-and-white image of metal grain elevator with two grain storage tents and farm field in foreground.

Welcome to the final installment in our three-part series “Modeling from postcards.” This time, we’ll take a look at cards that show two of Crookston’s rail-served industries. Welcome to Wilds. In 1964, Cargill Inc. built a grain elevator at the south end of Crookston near the station sign Wilds. In addition to the main elevator, […]

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