Build a better layout

Build a better layout

A decade ago, Dick Christianson, the founding editor of Classic Toy Trains, and I began work on what became the O gauge Lionel Lines/Santa Fe layout. With help from CTT staff members, who dutifully ventured to Dick’s suburban basement every Tuesday night, we spent countless hours planning, thinking, changing our minds, and making false starts […]

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Olympia 2, The Log Blog: Part 14 – My game is a bit rusty

Now that host David Popp has a game plan for building up the log pond area, he’s set to prepare the site and some of the ancillary items he’ll need to complete the scene. He’ll also show you how to give some of these items a rusty appearance that’s suitable for a backwoods installation. […]

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Off The Rails: Episode 19

Off the Rails with Gerry Leone Episode 19

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Get set for spills and chills in this episode of Off The Rails! This month, host Gerry Leone has us on pins, needles, and track nails. But somehow, he miraculously manages to hold it all together, with a little help from a dab […]

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Off The Rails: Episode 19

Off the Rails with Gerry Leone Episode 19

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Get set for spills and chills in this episode of Off The Rails! This month, host Gerry Leone has us on pins, needles, and track nails. But somehow, he miraculously manages to hold it all together, with a little help from a dab […]

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Canadian Canyons Series: Part 21 – Mounting the fascia and staging yard panel

David Popp next to layout

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Nothing conveys the appearance of a finished layout more than smooth-flowing hardboard fascia! But even though our N scale Canadian Canyons layout isn’t completed quite yet, David shows you how to measure, cut, and secure fascia around the curvaceous perimeter of our project […]

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Canadian Canyons Series: Part 20 – Adding the upper deck 2

David Popp holding plywood next to layout

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page With the upper level framing in place, it’s now time for David to build out the plywood platform for our N scale Canadian Canyons layout. Once in this subroadbed is attached, David can then turn his attention to completing the trackwork and installing […]

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Canadian Canyons Series: Part 21 – Mounting the fascia and staging yard panel

David Popp next to layout

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Nothing conveys the appearance of a finished layout more than smooth-flowing hardboard fascia! But even though our N scale Canadian Canyons layout isn’t completed quite yet, David shows you how to measure, cut, and secure fascia around the curvaceous perimeter of our project […]

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Canadian Canyons Series: Part 20 – Adding the upper deck 2

David Popp holding plywood next to layout

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page With the upper level framing in place, it’s now time for David to build out the plywood platform for our N scale Canadian Canyons layout. Once in this subroadbed is attached, David can then turn his attention to completing the trackwork and installing […]

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Canadian Canyons Series: Part 19 – Adding the upper deck 1

David Popp holding curved piece of wood

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page In this video, David builds the initial framework for the upper (visible) level of our N scale Canadian Canyons layout. But before, he tops off the lower section, he first shows how to hide some of the risers and supports found along the […]

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Canadian Canyons Series: Part 19 – Adding the upper deck 1

David Popp holding curved piece of wood

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page In this video, David builds the initial framework for the upper (visible) level of our N scale Canadian Canyons layout. But before, he tops off the lower section, he first shows how to hide some of the risers and supports found along the […]

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Canadian Canyons Series: Part 18 – Building the helix connection

David Popp next to layout

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page The track, wiring, and electronics are finally in place for the lower (hidden) level of our Canadian Canyons N scale layout! In this video, David raises his game to build the benchwork for the upper (visible) level of the layout. The first order […]

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