Model Railroad Designs

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Crossing 12th Avenue

The local runs down the switchback to pick up an empty at the Miami Produce Center on my personal layout based on The Downtown Spur in...

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...

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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....

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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,...

Photo of the Day

Having just left Newark Station, and crossed over the Passaic River dock bridge, a northbound Amtrak train passes the tower. This image...

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...

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...

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...

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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...

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No Time To Build A Model Railroad Layout?

Let's talk about model railroad design strategy. At almost thirty feet in length, the above design isn't small. Even so, it's an example...

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TURNOUT OPTIMISM

Model railroaders are an optimistic bunch, particularly when it comes to layout design! To be more specific, overly optimistic when it...

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