Jim Wrinn tribute video — a compilation

Man speaking in front of steam locomotive.

Jim Wrinn tribute video — a compilation: Trains.com and Kalmbach Media are proud to celebrate the rail journalism life of Jim Wrinn. For the 17 years Jim served as Trains’ Editor — his dream job — Jim was a leader in trying new ways to reach audiences and going great distances to “get the story.” Please enjoy […]

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Make a Lake, Part 1 | Back on Track, Episode 18

By popular demand! Back on Track host Gerry Leone jumps ahead in time to begin an effort to shape a common layout space into a unique place! In this episode, you’ll see the start of the lake scene takes the curved mainline into consideration. First, Gerry works to build up a plate girder bridge to […]

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It’s my revised railroad revealed | It’s My Railroad, Ep. 29

Host Steve Brown has just a bit of a surprise in store. In this episode you’ll be the first to see It’s My Revised Railroad revealed! Right in the middle of his Star Industries project effort, our “regular guy” has done something very much out of the ordinary. Steve shares his efforts to redirect and […]

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Installing lower-level layout lighting | Back on Track, Episode 17

With the upper deck and backdrops now in place, Gerry noticed the lighting on the lower deck had changed significantly. Wisely, he decided to compensate for the reduced reach of light from the ceiling fixtures by installing a new light source to the underside of the upper deck. In this episode, you’ll see how Gerry […]

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Putting the layout to the test | Back on Track, Episode 16

Following his recent grand tour, Gerry puts his HO scale Bona Vista under greater scrutiny. In this episode, our host closely examines how his construction efforts align with his established Givens and Druthers. After failing to pass every part of his self-graded test, Gerry invites fellow layout builders David Popp and Seth Puffer to check […]

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Venice Simplon Orient Express journey: two Australian’s adventure

Venice Simplon Orient Express journey: A dining room table in a luxurious rail car.

Join Jess and Stephen (or Stephen and Jess?!) for a full-review experience of the luxury Venice Simplon Orient Express journey by train from Venice, Italy, to London, U.K. The Australian family maintains a travel blog, Flying The Nest, where they detail their globe-trotting experiences, mostly out of a converted van. They’ve traveled throughout North America, […]

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Gerry walks a fine line | Back on Track, Episode 15

Gerry walks a fine line…the recently completed main line of his HO scale Bona Vista layout, that is! Our host, with assistance from his wife, has driven the Golden Spike into the trackwork of his double-deck model railroad. That’s a great time to take a walking tour of the construction progress. Following the tour, Gerry […]

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Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on Bob’s Train Box 79

Atlas St. Patrick's Day boxcar.

Bob’s Train Box Episode 79 Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on Bob’s Train Box Episode 79! Bob Keller and CTT editor Hal Miller check out the latest O gauge holiday boxcar from Atlas O. They also look at buildings from Menards including the Halls of Handsome Barbershop, Cripple Creek Tractor Repair, and Sacred Heart Hospital. The […]

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Back on Track: Fixing an upper deck design flaw, Episode 14

What’s our Back on Track series host Gerry Leone up to these days? More work on the upper deck of his new HO scale Bona Vista layout, of course! Following the previous episode, Gerry finalized more of the track plan, added plywood subroadbed to the upper level, and even laid some track into place. But […]

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Rethinking, rebuilding, and relocating structures | It’s My Railroad, Ep. 28

Rethinking, rebuilding, and relocating structures are all part of Steve Brown’s major changes. Right in the midst of his efforts to scratchbuild an N scale industrial structure, of course. But that’s what the It’s My Railroad series is all about! In this episode, you’ll see our host employ helpful techniques to tackle challenges in assembling […]

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A Lionel 2022 catalog review on Bob’s Train Box Episode 78

Lionel 2022 catalog review on BTB 78

A Lionel 2022 catalog review is the order of the day on Bob’s Train Box Episode 78! Bob and Hal take a look through the most recent Big Book and pick out a few items that have sparked their interest. They also have a first look at a couple of new Menards 14-3/4-inch flatcars. Bob […]

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Rehab My Railroad: Printed backdrop installation, Episode 14

Man standing near an unfinished model train layout in an episode that will discuss printed backdrop installation.

A printed backdrop installation might be the focus of this episode, but first, David Popp shares how he protects the new toggle switch installation along the fascia of the HO scale Jones Island layout section. Meanwhile, Eric White works to trim and secure a printed paper backdrop installation to the wall behind the industrial tank […]

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