Olympia & Sand Creek, Episode 5 | Updates and wiring

This time around, our intrepid host lets anxious viewers see all the progress he’s made to prepare the O scale (1:48) Olympia Logging Co. On30 layout for the next big step! From backdrop to tabletop to trackwork to scenery, David shares the extent of his off-camera efforts — all to get things into place for […]

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Polar Express layout tips

scene on O gauge Polar Express layout

Polar Express layout tips: We at CTT had a lot of fun building our recent Polar Express layout. Despite building several project layouts over the years, I learned new techiques and ideas during the five days we spent working on this project. Perhaps one of these tips will inspire you too. Happy holidays! Polar Express […]

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Tortoise Switch Machine topside installation

In the all-new series playing exclusively on Trains.com Video, you’ll discover scores of expert techniques and useful tools for making your model railroading efforts easy, more efficient, and even fun! To get the series started, Model Railroader magazine Editor Eric White shares his process for installing a Tortoise by Circuitron Slow Motion Switch Machine to […]

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Tortoise Switch Machine topside installation

In the all-new series playing exclusively on Trains.com Video, you’ll discover scores of expert techniques and useful tools for making your model railroading efforts easy, more efficient, and even fun! To get the series started, Model Railroader magazine Editor Eric White shares his process for installing a Tortoise by Circuitron Slow Motion Switch Machine to […]

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Types of tunnels for model railroads

A sketch on graph paper of ways to disguise model railroad tunnels with structures, overpasses, and trees

Let’s look at some different types of tunnels. In the real world, tunnels are incredibly expensive to build and maintain. Prototype railroads would only dig a tunnel when there was no other way through or around an obstruction like a mountain, a river, or a built-up city. However, some types of tunnels are often necessary […]

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Olympia & Sand Creek, Episode 3 | Cutting holes in things

Can’t you just tell by the pile of materials, supplies, and tools on David’s workbench? Progress is being made on the construction of his O scale (1:48) Olympia Logging Co. On30 layout. But “change” is the name of this layout-building game! This time out David is really poking holes in his plans… all before he […]

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Spaces to Places III | Making a highway, part 2

Host Gerry Leone is making great inroads on his new roadway construction! In this episode, he’s all set to pave and finish the highway route defined in the debut of this relaunched exclusive Trains.com Video modeling series. But while he waits for the concrete roads to cure, Gerry shares his progress on a few other […]

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Spaces to Places III | Making a highway, part 2

Host Gerry Leone is making great inroads on his new roadway construction! In this episode, he’s all set to pave and finish the highway route defined in the debut of this relaunched exclusive Trains.com Video modeling series. But while he waits for the concrete roads to cure, Gerry shares his progress on a few other […]

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Olympia & Sand Creek, Episode 3 | Cutting holes in things

Can’t you just tell by the pile of materials, supplies, and tools on David’s workbench? Progress is being made on the construction of his O scale (1:48) Olympia Logging Co. On30 layout. But “change” is the name of this layout-building game! This time out David is really poking holes in his plans… all before he […]

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Building Bay Junction 17

Cody Grivno next to layout

Lots of work is taking place on the Model Railroader staff’s Bay Junction model train layout. Associate editor Cody Grivno has installed his United Cooperative grain elevator, while senior editor Dana Kawala describes building the fertilizer plant that will be located in front of the scene. Managing editor David Popp will also show how the […]

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How-to Library: Turning Spaces into Places, Part 4

Man standing next to multi-level train layout.

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page   In Part 4, Gerry Leone really starts to cover some ground… or in this case, pink foam insulation board! Watch and learn how easy it is to transform stark construction materials into a natural-looking setting. […]

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