T-TRAK Project Part 4: Wiring for modules

Hand holding black and gray remote control with green lighted screen with blue and gray model train on silver, gray, and black model train track.

Modelers David Popp, Brian Schmidt, and Bryson Sleppy install the wiring power bus and Digital Command Control system on their modular T-TRAK N scale layout. T-TRAK is a modular N scale railroading system that uses foot-wide boxes plugged together to build tabletop layouts. In this fourth installment, the trio demonstrates how to build a portable […]

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Hattons Model Railways to close doors

Hattons Model Railways logo

After 77 years in the model railway business, Hattons Model Railways has announced its upcoming closure. Hattons Model Railways opened in 1946 and has produced its own models, distributed other manufacturers’ products, purchased and sold pre-owned collections, and staffed a brick-and-mortar store. The exact date of closing is not known yet, but it will be […]

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Five tips for disassembling locomotives

Photo of switcher chassis with pile of parts next to it.

My longtime friend Bill Phalen is working on an HO scale layout depicting the Twin Ports of Duluth, Minn., and Superior, Wis. Though his motive power fleet features many railroads from the area, one line wasn’t represented, the Lake Superior Terminal & Transfer. Bill wanted models of four of the LST&T’s six end-cab diesels, so […]

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Model Railroader After Hours | January 4th, 2024

Model Railroader After Hours | January 4th, 2024. After Hours is an informal livestream hosted by Trains.com staff members… after the “work” of the day is done, there’s aways something else fun! This time, host David Popp, along with Bryson Sleppy, continue to make progress on their N scale T-Trak modules. Of course, the guys […]

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Model Railroader After Hours | January 4th, 2024

Model Railroader After Hours | January 4th, 2024. After Hours is an informal livestream hosted by Trains.com staff members… after the “work” of the day is done, there’s aways something else fun! This time, host David Popp, along with Bryson Sleppy, continue to make progress on their N scale T-Trak modules. Of course, the guys […]

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N scale turnout roundup

Picture of an N scale turnout in a scenicked area on a layout

Are you building a siding or a yard? Or are you in the process of planning an N scale layout but not sure what turnouts are available? This N scale turnout roundup should help to answer some questions you may have. Turnouts (also referred to as switches) are pieces of track that allow a train […]

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T-TRAK Project Part 3: Laying Kato Unitrack

Tan wooden boxes with gray plastic model train track sections attached to the tops. Includes a black, gray, and blue small model train, as well as a brown and yellow miniature building.

Modelers David Popp, Brian Schmidt, and Bryson Sleppy add Kato Unitrack to their modular T-TRAK N scale layout. T-TRAK is a modular N scale railroading system that uses foot-wide boxes plugged together to build tabletop layouts. In this third installment, the trio demonstrates how to build, wire, and install the Kato N scale Unitrack to […]

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Model Railroader’s favorite products of 2023

A model locomotive in a red paint scheme

Model Railroader’s favorite products of 2023: As 2023 draws to a close, and we look forward to a new year, Model Railroader‘s Cody Grivno and Bryson Sleppy take a look back at some of their favorite model railroad products of 2023.   Tangent Scale Models HO scale Burlington Northern International Car Co. wide-vision cabooses For […]

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Building a T-Trak module | Wiring

In this all-new series, host David Popp keeps progress on the N scale (1:160) T-Trak modular layout moving forward. Here, he shares various techniques for working within the specified electrical standards and recommended practices to bring power the rails, including the unique bridge sections of track and turnouts (track switches) too! […]

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Three new products from Rapido Trains

CAD rendering of two red subway cars at a station

HO scale Electro-Motive Corp. FT diesels The Electro-Motive Corp. (EMC) FT is one of three new products from Rapido Trains. Road names include Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe (freight and passenger schemes); Boston & Maine (maroon); Chicago, Burlington & Quincy (gray); Delaware, Lackawanna & Western (gray and maroon); Great Northern (as-delivered scheme); Milwaukee Road (as-delivered […]

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Eastern Seaboard Models N scale mill gondolas

Color photo of three N scale freight cars in brown and Deepwater Green paint.

The Pennsylvania RR class G26 series of mill gondolas has returned to the Eastern Seaboard Models Corp. product lineup. The G26 car, last released in 2009, is now joined by class G26A and G26C gondolas, as well as Norfolk & Western class G3 cars. All of the ready-to-run gondolas have screw-mounted draft-gear box covers, Micro-Trains […]

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Building a T-Trak module | Track installation

The all-new T-Trak modular N scale (1:160) layout construction series continues with Host David Popp demonstrating how to add trackwork to the assembled laser-cut micro-plywood frame. In this episode, David covers Kato Unitrack basics; how add track to a “double module”, including turnouts; and install track feeder wires. […]

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