Thin Branch Series: Working with foam rocks

Hand placing foam "rocks" above a raw and unfinished tunnel portal on a model train layout.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page If you want to try a different material to make rocks for your model railroad, try foam. In this video, David shows how he added Mountains in Minutes foam rocks to our Thin Branch HO scale project railroad. […]

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FasTrack on a tabletop

drawing of square track plan

Layout designer: Terry Thompson Scale: O Layout size: 12 x 12 feet Track type: Lionel FasTrack Minimum curve: O-36 Originally appeared in the July 2013 issue of Classic Toy Trains. FasTrack on a tabletop FasTrack on a tabletop schematic FasTrack on a tabletop components […]

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Thin Branch Series: Benchwork part 3 – plywood subroadbed

David Popp working with plywood.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page   In this video episode of our Thin Branch HO scale project railroad, the layout gets its plywood subroadbed installed. David shows you how to mark and cut the plywood for smooth transitions between the levels and support it with simple risers made […]

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Thin Branch Series: Working with plaster rocks part 1

David Popp casting rocks in plaster.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Whether it’s a mountain face or just a simple outcropping, sooner or later you’ll probably need to model rocks on your layout. In this video, David shows you how he cast rocks from plaster for the Thin Branch project railroad. […]

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Thin Branch Series: Working with plaster rocks part 2

David laying plaster rocks.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Once you’ve cast rocks in plaster, it’s time to install them on the layout. In this video, David shows you how he cut, fit, and cemented plaster rock castings to the Thin Branch project railroad. […]

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Building the HO scale Winter Hill Quarry Branch part 10

Steve Otte next to layout

The asphalt shingle plant is one of the structures on the Winter Hill Branch model train layout. Follow along as Model Railroader associate editor Steve Otte show you some of the modeling techniques that he used to kitbash this HO scale structure. You’ll learn about the models that Steve chose for the project, and get […]

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