Midday Modeler — 05.25.2022

Two men facing a camera next to a model train layout.

Midday Modeler — 05.25.2022 — This week is Model Railroader’s first live streamed “fun run” around the MR&T model train layout. MR&T officially stands for Milwaukee, Racine & Troy — a fictitious railroad based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Unofficially, the letters represent Model Railroader and Trains — for the two original magazines that formed the core of Kalmbach Media’s early […]

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Midday Modeler — 05.25.2022

Two men facing a camera next to a model train layout.

Midday Modeler — 05.25.2022 — This week is Model Railroader’s first live streamed “fun run” around the MR&T model train layout. MR&T officially stands for Milwaukee, Racine & Troy — a fictitious railroad based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Unofficially, the letters represent Model Railroader and Trains — for the two original magazines that formed the core of Kalmbach Media’s early […]

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Bill Clancy’s HO scale Rio Grande Pacific layout

Track plan of Rio Grande layout

Facts & features Name: The Rio Grande Pacific RR Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 26′-0″ x 44′-6″ Prototype: Denver & Rio Grande Western; Great Northern; Spokane, Portland & Seattle; Union Pacific; and Western Pacific Locale: Colorado, Utah, and California Era: June 1948 Style: walk-in Mainline run: 544 feet Minimum radius: 36″ Minimum turnout: no. 5 (industrial […]

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Lou Sassi’s HO scale Moving Coal on the C&O layout

An illustration of Lou Sassi’s HO scale Moving Coal on the C&O layout.

  Facts & features Name: C&O Monroe Division Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 21 x 23 feet Prototype: C&O, Chessie System Locale: Appalachia Era: late 1960s-early ’70s Style: walk-in Mainline run: 150 feet Minimum radius: 30″ (main), 24″ (other tracks) Minimum turnout: no. 6 (main), no. 4 (other tracks) Maximum grade: 2.5 percent Benchwork: L-girder Height: […]

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A visit to Len Smith’s O gauge Reading layout

Len Smith's layout and the cover of the November 2021 Classic Toy Trains

Take a ride on Len Smith’s O gauge Reading RR featured in the November 2021 issue of Classic Toy Trains. Modern locomotives and rolling stock plus great scenery make this layout a terrific tribute to his favorite fallen flag. Have a look at the track plan here. […]

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Santa Fe Inspiration gallery volume 2

A Santa Fe steam locomotive and caboose are posed at Gary Hoover's HO Scale representation of "Summit", the top of the grade for the Santa Fe in California's Cajon Pass.

In this photo gallery, we encourage you to enjoy two fantastic Santa Fe layouts that are inspired. We hope they inspire you on your journey to creating a new model railroad layout, even one based on the Santa Fe! The first railroad is Gary Hoover’s interpretation of the Santa Fe Railway on Aug. 29, 1951. […]

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HO scale Toledo, Walhonding Valley & Ohio

HO scale Toledo, Walhonding Valley & Ohio

The layout at a glance Name: Toledo, Walhonding Valley & Ohio Layout owner: Associated Model Railroad Engineers of Coshocton Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 40 x 143 feet (layout), 50 x 150 feet (room) Theme: freelanced Locale: southeastern Ohio Era: not specific Style: walk in Mainline run: approximately 967 feet Minimum radius: 42″ (main line) Minimum […]

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HO scale Boston & Maine RR

HOscaleBostonMaineRR

Name: Boston & Maine Layout owner: Thomas Oxnard Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 18 x 28 feet Prototype: freelanced, inspired by the Boston & Maine Locale: Boston, Seacoast region of New Hampshire into the mountains Era: 1953 Style: walk-in Mainline run: 194 feet Minimum radius: 20″ Minimum turnout: no. 6 Maximum grade: 3 percent Benchwork: L-girder […]

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HO scale Norfolk & Western of the 1950s

HOscaleNorfolkWestern

Name: The Norfolk & Western of the 1950s Layout owner: Gary Hoover Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 24 x 49 feet Prototype: Norfolk & Western Ry. Locale: Virginia and West Virginia Era: 1954 to 1957 Style: multi-level walk-in Mainline run: 120 feet Minimum radius: 30″ (N&W), 27″ (Virginian Ry.) Minimum turnout: no.8 (main), no. 6 (yards) […]

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