Sand Patch

Track plan at a glance Name: Sand Patch Layout designer: Robert Sprague Scale: HO Size: 12′-10″ x 13′-3″ Originally appeared in the May 2005 issue of Model Railroader. Click on the link to download a PDF of this track plan […]

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Southern Pacific Los Angeles Division

Track plan at a glance Name: Southern Pacific Los Angeles Division Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 12 x 19 feet Prototype: Southern Pacific Era: early 1950s Style: walkaround Mainline run: 85 feet Minimum radii: 33″ main line, 28″ sidings, 24″ industrial spurs Minimum turnouts: no. 6 main line, no. 5 sidings Maximum grade: none Originally appeared […]

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The Pacific & Idaho Northern RR

Track plan at a glance Name: Pacific & Idaho Northern Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 12′-0″ x 15′-0″ with 3′-6″ x 7′-0″ extension Theme: turn-of-the-past-century branch line Period: 1900 to 1908 Style: walkaround Mainline run: 105 feet Minimum radius: 18″ Minimum turnout: no. 4 Maximum grade: 5 percent Originally appeared in the April 2005 issue of […]

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The Webster Groves & Fenton RR

Track plan at a glance Name: The Webster Groves & Fenton RR Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 16 x 27 feet with a 7 x 13-foot extension Prototype: free-lanced bridge line Period: 1970-1990 Style: around-the-walls with peninsula Mainline run: 117′-5″ Minimum radius: 30″ on main, 28″ on sidings Minimum turnout: no. 6 Maximum grade: 2.5 percent […]

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Turtle Creek Branch

Track plan at a glance Name: Turtle Creek Branch Scale: HO Size: 2 x 6 feet Originally appeared in the January 2005 issue of Model Railroader. Click here to download a PDF of this track plan […]

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Union Freight RR

Track plan at a glance Name: Union Freight RR Scale: HO Originally appeared in the June 2005 issue of Model Railroader. Click here to download a PDF of this track plan […]

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UP’s Daneville and Donner River Subdivisions

Track plan at a glance Name: UP’s Daneville and Donner River Subdivisions Scale: HO (1:87) Size: 11′-6″ x 22′-0″ Prototype: Union Pacific, with Burlington Northern Santa Fe trackage rights Period: present Mainline run: 59 feet (excluding staging) Minimum radius: 33″ Minimum turnout: No. 8 (main) and no. 6 (sidings and yards) Maximum grade: 2.6 percent […]

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West Virginia Northern

Track plan at a glance Name: West Virginia Northern Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 16′-8″ x 20’8″ with 11′-0″ x 2′-0″ and 4′-0″ x 11’0″ off-layout staging Theme: freelance, based on the Chesapeake & Ohio Ry. Period: summer 1952 Style: walkaround Mainline run: 126 feet Minimum radius: 30″ (main line) Minimum turnouts: no. 6 (main line), […]

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2007 National Trains Show final report

Electro-Motive Division MP15AC

The National Train Show was held in conjunction with the National Model Railroad Association national convention in Detroit, Mich., July 27-29, 2007. Below are some of the new items we saw at the show. Electro-Motive Division MP15AC HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division MP15AC. Preproduction sample shown. Canadian Pacific, CSX, Milwaukee Road, Soo Line, Southern Pacific, […]

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National Train Show preliminary report

Alco C-420 diesel locomotive

The National Train Show is being held in conjunction with the National Model Railroad Association national convention in Detroit, Mich., July 27-29, 2007. Below are some of the new products being featured at the show. Look for a full show report next week. Alco C-420 diesel locomotive HO scale locomotivesAlco C-420 diesel locomotive. Arkansas & […]

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Atlas signal system: Realism in HO and N

Atlas HO and N scale signal system

Atlas HO and N scale signal system A versatile operating signal system is now available for HO and N scale modelers. These new signals from Atlas Model Railroad Co. come in three different styles and will work on DC layouts as well as those operated with Digital Command Control (DCC). The signal system uses much […]

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MR quick look: Kato USRA 2-8-2 heavy Mikado in N

Kato N scale USRA 2-8-2

Kato N scale USRA 2-8-2 Price: $175.00ManufacturerKato U.S.A., Inc. 100 Remington Road Schaumburg, IL 60173Description: Plastic and metal ready-to-run locomotiveComments: Kato has re-released its handsome N scale United States Railway Administration (USRA) 2-8-2 heavy Mikado. This new run of steam locomotives includes a version decorated for Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, as well as a painted […]

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