In this episode, David’s projects include repairing benchwork, installing a bridge, and laying curved track sections. Tune in for David’s tips and techniques for making flowing, smooth curves with Micro Engineering Flex-Track. […]
Section: How To
DCC wiring for a shelf layout
My little shelf layout is made from track and lumber salvaged from a small model railroad I was building in my apartment living room back in Pennsylvania before I moved to Wisconsin to work for Model Railroader. In my current living room, I only have room for a shelf layout, which is built into an […]
Wonderful warbonnet: Lionel’s no. 11739 “The Super Chief” set
CTT’s Hal Miller has a look at Lionel’s no. 11739 Santa Fe “The Super Chief” set that was the first one in the modern era to feature an Alco locomotive. This O-27 outfit is still available and affordable on the auction and swap meet market along with its add-on cars. It’s great to run or […]
How-to Library: Signaling with JMRI, Part3
In this final series video, Trains.com resident DCC expert Ben Lake covers signal installation with JMRI. Using the Canadian Canyons N scale layout scale as his workbench, Ben walks and talks viewers through signal decoder setup, signal wiring schematics, PanelPro configuration, and more! […]
Len Smith’s O gauge layout
Facts & features Name: Len Smith’s O gauge layout Dimensions: 24 x 27 feet Track and switches: Atlas O (diameters range from 54 to 99 inches) Motive power: Atlas O, Lionel, MTH Rolling stock: Atlas O, K-Line, Lionel, MTH, Weaver Controls: Lionel types KW and ZW, MTH no. Z-4000 (2) transformers with MTH Digital Command […]
Bill Clark’s S gauge layout
Facts & features Name: Bill Clark’s S gauge layout Dimensions: 9 x 20½ feet Track and switches: Gilbert American Flyer Motive power: American Models, Gilbert and Lionel American Flyer Rolling stock: American Models, Gilbert and Lionel American Flyer Controls: American Flyer nos. 12B (2), 30B (2) transformers with Lionel FlyerChief and Legacy command control Accessories: […]
N scale Montgomery & Cole Subdivision
Facts & features Name: Montgomery & Cole Subdivision Scale: N (1:160) Size: 10′-0″ x 10′-0″ Prototype: Great Northern, BNSF Ry., and CP Rail Locale: western Montana, eastern Washington Era: 1970s – ’80s Style: walk-in Mainline run: 78 feet Minimum radius: 9″ Minimum turnout: no. 6 Maximum grade: 3.5 percent Benchwork: open grid Height: 441⁄2″ Roadbed: […]
The Eastport Branch in HO
Facts & features Name: The Eastport Branch Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 15 x 20 feet Prototype: freelanced, representing various New England railroads Locale: New England Era: steam-to-diesel transition era to second-generation diesel Style: around the walls Mainline run: 70 feet Minimum radius: 26″ Maximum grade: 2 percent Benchwork: L-girder on cabinet tops and wall brackets […]
Visit the Burlington Garden Center’s garden railroad
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! […]
Meet Milwaukee’s ambitious layout builder
The layouts most recently showcased here have reflected the hobby activities of two of the top performers of the second half of the 20th century, each of whom has a reputation for greatness spanning the earth. In fact, if beings far out in the solar system have a toe to tap, they probably are doing […]
State Line Route in N scale: Laying down track, Episode 6
After sanding the cork roadbed, David is ready to lay track on the State Line Route N scale layout. His tip: start with the most complex piece of track, which, in this case, is in the train yard! Plus, David checks in with Rene and Jenny to see how their structures for the layout are […]
Prevent rust and mold on your trains with silica gel
Water is the enemy of toy trains. But we have tools to fight back. In fact, they might already be in your train box, and if they’re not, they should be. You can prevent rust and mold with silica gel. Science to the rescue What I have here is a locomotive that sat in a […]