Check out the layout built by open class contestant DJ Arlia for the 2021 Walthers National Model Railroad Build-Off! Designed to look like an old chemical plant based in Pittsburgh, Pa., this module is full of interesting details and thought-out designs. Interested in hearing more from DJ? Check out his interview! […]
Section: Videos & Photos
S gauge fun in a compact space
Enjoy this look at Dave Baule’s S gauge layout. The traditional looking pike occupies a modest footprint and is chock full of Plasticville buildings, vintage American Flyer accessories, and trains from a variety of eras. The display is featured in the special publication “Toy train layouts for small spaces,” available in fall 2021. […]
Layout Visit: Signal Operations on Dave Abeles’ Conrail Onondaga Cutoff
Modeler Dave Abeles shares insights on the signal installations and operations on his HO scale Conrail-inspired layout. In this narrated trackside tour of the layout, Dave shares how to interpret signal indications. Also explore additional signaling info in the Kalmbach book, Guide to Signals & Interlockings, available from KalmbachHobbyStore.com. […]
Colorado’s Broadmoor, Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway is back
A $100 million rebuild from the track to the trains has the iconic railroad to the 14,000-foot mountain in shape for another century. […]
Preview the September 2021 issue of Classic Toy Trains magazine
In the September 2021 issue of Classic Toy Trains, prolific author and modeler Stan Trzoniec shows how to observe real railroads and add details from them to our layouts to increase realism. We’ll also visit two O gauge layouts. The first is built by a northerner and models the Southern Ry.; the other uses traditional […]
Monticello Railway Museum visit
Join Trains for a 2021 visit to Illinois’ Monticello Railway Museum located in the central part of the state. The museum is home to plenty of rare Midwest gems including equipment railroads including the Wabash; Southern Railway; Illinois Central; Chicago, Burlington & Quincy; Chicago & Illinois Midland; and Illinois Terminal. […]
A steeple cab, EMD GP9, and boxcar, plus modeling tips and viewer mail!
Welcome back to episode 270 of Cody’s Office! Group technical editor Cody Grivno is here to show you all the newest products, featuring a Kato steeple cab, a new EMD GP9 locomotive, and a MR&T boxcar. Also, check out the latest mail from from our viewers, as well as hear some helpful modeling tips! […]
How to clean old, rusty, and dirty track
Bought or inherited a load of tubular track? CTT editor Hal Miller shows his method of cleaning it up and getting it ready for trains to run properly on. This technique will help get rid of dirt and light rust, and help modelers avoid a few pitfalls that could be detrimental to operation. […]
Back on Track: Planning a switching area, Episode 9
Back on Track gets back to the track! In this episode, host Gerry Leone shares his plans and process for adding a staging yard and switching area, including where and how to place key track switches to save valuable layout space. […]
Back on Track: Fixing a few helix flaws, Episode 7
Series host Gerry Leone is definitely playing catch up in this episode, as he works to patch up a minor oversight. Watch to see how he corrects and simplifies the helix construction, and then presents a clever suggestion for looking back in time when building a new home or layout. […]
Back on Track: Painting & installing a backdrop, Episode 8
Bound and determined to build it better than his previous layout, Gerry walks through his evolved process for handling the installation of a hardboard backdrop. Plenty of neat tips and trick can be found in this and other episodes of Back on Track, an exclusive Trains.com series! […]
Bob’s Train Box Episode 71
On this episode of Bob’s Train Box, Bob and CTT editor Hal Miller get an up-close and personal look at MTH Trains’ recently released Premier line SD24 (even more info on it here). Then Bob examines some Greenberg guides that are fun to read and helpful when it comes to collecting trains and accessories. Finally, […]