A little bit of the Pacific Northwest

Gary Pearsall’s compact O gauge layout

Gary Pearsall’s layout features Northern Pacific passenger and freight trains. The layout measures 5 x 10 feet and features spectacular mountain scenery as well as a town with buildings by Lionel, MTH, Walthers, and Woodland Scenics. Trains made up of equipment from K-Line, Lionel, MTH, Atlas O, and Williams run on two independent loops of […]

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Improve short locomotive wiring in 7 steps

A short O gauge 0-6-0t steam switcher approaches a pair of track turnouts

Some of today’s short-wheelbase locomotives have issues with the prototypical switches and narrow-angle crossings that make an O gauge railroad look realistic. Here’s a quick fix that will allow any locomotive­ ­- even this economical Bethlehem Steel saddle tanker from Lionel – to perform reliably over the troublesome trackwork. THIS IS A PHOTO FEATURE. CLICK […]

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O gauge Amtrak station by Menards

amtrak station with people milling around

If you need a spot for your passengers to get on and off your trains, Menards has a new building for you. Its O gauge Amtrak Station occupies a footprint of approximately 12 x 8 inches. That size makes it perfect for almost any size railroad and particularly well suited for smaller ones. The single-story […]

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News & Products for the week of March 25, 2021

Miniature vintage gas station with car parked out by the pump

O scale structures Bellevue service station. 1:43.5 scale. Laser-cut cardboard kit. Includes pumps and choice of fuel brand (Agip, Antar, Avia, Azur, BP, Elan, Elf, Esso, Fina, Ozo, Shell, and Total. Other brands available upon request). Vehicle shown not included. Measures 10.62” x 7.87” x 9.84”. $114.37. Price may vary based on exchange rate. Minifer, […]

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Model railroad locomotive, freight car, structure, decal, and accessory announcements for March 25, 2021

Ten cabooses in different color schemes

Product news Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates. Here are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of March 25, 2021 HO scale freight cars Pullman-Standard PS-2 two-bay covered hopper. […]

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Lionel’s LionChief Plus 2.0 GG1

Lionel’s LionChief Plus 2.0 GG1 electric locomotive

The LionChief 2.0 GG1 gives kids of all ages a distinctive icon of American railroading for their layout, be it a 4 x 8 or something filling a basement or attic. With modern electronics, this classic is ready to please a new generation! Watch the video to see more. […]

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Lionel’s LionChief Plus 2.0 GG1

Lionel’s LionChief Plus 2.0 GG1 electric locomotive

The LionChief 2.0 GG1 gives kids of all ages a distinctive icon of American railroading for their layout, be it a 4 x 8 or something filling a basement or attic. With modern electronics, this classic is ready to please a new generation! Watch the video to see more. […]

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Taking it easy in O gauge

Fred Laubie’s O gauge Buckeye Central RR

This 35 x 56-foot layout features postwar and modern Lionel power pulling impressive trains made up of Atlas O, Golden Gate Depot, Lionel, and MTH cars. It’s constructed with GarGraves track and Ross Custom Switches controlled by Circuitron and NJ International machines. Scenic highlights include a number of bridges and tunnels, a roundhouse, yard, coal […]

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Taking it easy in O gauge

Fred Laubie’s O gauge Buckeye Central RR

This 35 x 56-foot layout features postwar and modern Lionel power pulling impressive trains made up of Atlas O, Golden Gate Depot, Lionel, and MTH cars. It’s constructed with GarGraves track and Ross Custom Switches controlled by Circuitron and NJ International machines. Scenic highlights include a number of bridges and tunnels, a roundhouse, yard, coal […]

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10 tips for using MTH Trains’ RealTrax

RealTrax switch with bottom cover removed

Here are a few tips and tricks when working with MTH RealTrax:   The two ground rails are not tied together. This is true for other track systems using non-metallic ties, including those from Atlas O and GarGraves. If you add a switch, you need to add a lockon and make sure it’s on the […]

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Visit Ed Berg’s compact Marx layout

Ed Berg Marx layout

Realistic scenery, modified Plasticville structures, a Marx tunnel, and a loop of three-rail track with a single spur inject the Edge of Town Layout with visual appeal and operating activity. Ed Berg has been refining this Marx compact display for about 20 years. […]

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