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A New England Branch Line Track Plan Design
Topic: Model Railroad Branch Line Track Plan Design Imagine faded RS-2's pulling short trains through the river valleys of Vermont or...
May 23, 20231 min read
1,840 views


Adding A Second Layout
My "second" layout is a simple, two turnout affair, in the corner of my office. It's based on the Los Angeles Junction. Structures are...
May 1, 20233 min read
1,541 views


Model Railroad Track Plan Design of the Day - Big Space, No Free Time
Prairie-themed layouts lend themselves well to modelers with lots of space but limited modeling time. (Caldwell, ID, 1941, Lee Russell....
Mar 9, 20232 min read
1,835 views


Model Railroad Design Tip of the Day
Creating Visual Symmetry Shown above is a 1940's topo map of Frederick, MD. Note the general sense of order, the ninety degree grids,...
Feb 9, 20232 min read
902 views


Model Railroad Design Tip of the Day
Lift Out Bridge Design Standards Although they have their drawbacks, lift out bridges allow for such far superior model railroad designs...
Jan 31, 20231 min read
890 views


A Model Railroad Design For Passenger Train Enthusiasts
This guy really caught me off guard. One second it was quiet, an instant later he was on me. I know he was going over 100 mph, by how...
Jan 20, 20234 min read
1,447 views


The Hidden Trap of Icon Driven Model Railroad Design
Who wouldn't love to model this grain elevator in Farmersville, IL? The next town has one just as cool, as does the next. However, as...
Nov 16, 20223 min read
2,645 views


Artwork or Game Plan? Evaluating Published Track Plans.
Just because a track plan illustration is pleasing to look at from an artistic standpoint doesn't mean that it's a viable design. Read...
Feb 24, 20223 min read
3,816 views


Model Railroad Design For A Waterfront
Washington D.C.'s Georgetown waterfront, shown above, makes for a compelling modeling theme if there ever was one. Library of Congress...
Feb 11, 20222 min read
1,724 views


TURNOUT OPTIMISM
Model railroaders are an optimistic bunch, particularly when it comes to layout design! To be more specific, overly optimistic when it...
Jul 21, 20181 min read
1,342 views
SIX LANDMINES TO AVOID
Planning a layout for several….or many years down the road? Design, preparing, and anticipation can be a big part of the fun. In my...
Oct 10, 20173 min read
1,599 views
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