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Layout Construction Articles

"Punta Cayo"

The author is starting to build a small layout following a theme of a Banana-Sugar cane plantation-to-seaport railroad with switching. Includes lots of construction photos.

A Disappearing Door and Hidden Corner

The author describes how he designed and built a dutch door in Bob Walker layout room, so that the top half can remain closed (to hold the backdrop, scenery, and track), while the bottom half can be opened for room access. Also covered is how to build a curved inside-corner backdrop. Lots of construction photos.

A Finale for Chupadera Loop Part 4

The author describes how she and her husband concealed the edges of an access area in the loop.

A Handbrake for the Layout

The author describes the construction of a manually-operated piece of tubing that sticks up into the track to hold a car back on a gradient.

A Hump Yard for the Sacramento Division Part II

The previous article covered the hump yard's design. This installment covers the actual construction, which includes hand-laid track.

A Hump Yard for the Sacramento Division Part III

Construction of the hump yard continues with applying ballast, doing the electrical work, testing turnouts, adding retaining walls, adding structures, and describing what the future plans are.

A Last Look at Thatcher's Inlet Part 4

This last installment focuses on creating the atmosphere in the main street and the dockside fish warehouse complex. It covers how one might design structure layout by constructing temporary cardboard mockups. Many close-up photos.

A logging Train Elevator

Building a series of switchbacks that feed an elevator, so that the layout can simulate a loads-out/empties-in kind of scenario.

A New Layout Part I

The author talks about the demise of his previous layout, why the new layout, and the things he wants to do different this time. Obviously the layout is quite far along, because it includes lots of nice close-up photos of the new layout.

A New Layout Part II

This installment covers the construction of the benchwork on top of shelf system brackets. The author attempts to use the minimal number of tools showing that in two weeks the "dirty" job of benchwork can be completed.

A New Layout Part III

In this installment of the author's layout construction project he discusses track planning and track laying.

A New Layout Part IV

This article discusses the idea of using photos of models as backdrops. A large part of the article covers how to do the photography.

A Tricky Problem

The author built a lift-out section of a factory warehouse to gain access to hard-to-reach track.

ABCs: Going Beyond the Train Set

A basic hand-holding article starting with the train set loop track and adding turnouts, flexible track, and dealing with derailments and buying new equipment.

Accessorize Your Christmas Layout

The author describes his L-shaped layout with four loops of AF track. Includes two photos and a track plan.

Alcos in the Alcove

The author describes how he built benchwork extension to fit into an alcove in his client's model railroad room. The focus of this project was to design the track around the available structure kits. Includes a track plan and notes on how to operate that new area.

Aluminum Backdrops

Sheet aluminum makes an easy-to-install, seamless backdrop. The author and his wife installed a 30-foot sheet on his S-scale layout.

American Flyer Self-liquidating Display Layout

The author built a display layout to help him sell his uncle's large collection of A.F. items.

Backdrops

This articles covers how to build a backdrop using 0.060" styrene and painting it with just some basic sky colors.

Backdrops for the Jerome & Southwestern

Covers why and how to build a backdrop, including painting and applying stencils or paper cut-outs.

Basics of Thatcher's Inlet Part 3

This installment covers the basic construction of the layout, such as benchwork, track laying, and wiring. Many construction photos are included.

Benchwork

This article briefly introduces a couple of different ways that benchwork can be constructed. It describes the open grid and L-girder methods, and also covers how to build legs.

Benchwork for the Lowville & Beaver River Part 2

This installment covers the beginning of the construction of the RMC project layout. It is a U-shaped layout of 10 by 12 feet. The article covers building the framework, the legs, the layout surface, and how to install leg levelers.

Benchwork Without Tools - 22 Stories Up!

Continuation of building a layout in an apartment in the Middle East. Benchwork was pre-built at the author's home in Vermont before the move.

Bing Building

A reprint of the article from the previous issue, because several sections were missing from the original article.

Binge Building

The author is taking the time to build structures for his layout. Includes photos of the models.

Birth of a Model Railroad

The author provides a series of photos showing the current progress on his new layout. He talks about the skyboards and the insulation foam used to start the basis of his scenery.

Birth of a Model Railroad Part 5

This installment covers building, installing, and painting the backdrops.

Bookshelf Railroads Part 1

The author introduces the concept of building shelf layouts that can be mounted to normal hardware standards that hold regular book shelves. This installment includes the types of materials that can be used for the construction, what types of modules that can be built, and how to build a track plan around this approach. An exploded view of the components that make up a typical module is also included.

Bookshelf Railroads Part 2

This installment covers how to mount the module to the wall, how to build the frames, how to build corner modules, installing the background panel, the roadbed, risers, riverbeds, front panels, how to install the modules to the wall, and how to integrate poster board backgrounds.

Boxed Benchwork

Building a light-weight plywood shadow-box style modular layout for easy transportation.

Branch Line for the Turtle Creek Central Part 1

In 2002 Model Railroader ran a series of articles building a 4x8 foot layout. This series of articles will add a 2' x 6' extension to that layout. However, the article includes diagrams of how just using this branch line module only, one could have operations.This installment covers the trackplan, the benchwork construction, and using foam to build the scenery foundation.

Bridge That Chasm!

The author describes how he built a lift-out bridge in front of the door that allows entry into the model railroad room. Includes electrical protection for when the bridge is not in position.

Build a Magnetic Lift-out Bridge

Using magnets to hold a lift-out section in place and using it to conduct trackpower, so that when the magnets are disconnected, trackpower is removed.

Build an Adjustable Liftout

The author describes how he built his angled liftout to help prevent problems related to alignment due to expansion and contraction.

Build the 4 x 8 Stoney Creek Part 1

The author is a professional layout builder, and will cover the construction of this layout. This installment covers the table top frame and its legs.

Build the 4 x 8 Stoney Creek Part 2

This installment covers laying the track and installing the wiring of this layout.

Build the 4X8 Stoney Creek Part 3

In this installment the author covers grass, rocks, and roads. Topics included are adding a stream and bridge, building a tunnel, filling up scenery areas with chunks of foam, creating roads, varnishing the layout's fascia, creating rocks from molds, and placing ground cover.

Build the Cat Mountain's South Plains District Part I

David introduces his "domino" layout design, a modular design that makes each module 18" by 48". The focus of the his layout design is operations, and the track plan included is an L-shaped layout with lots of switching opportunity in a relatively small space. The article covers the complete construction of one such domino with lots of diagrams, construction photos, and a materials list. Roadbed installation is also covered.

Build the Claremont & Concord in G Scale Part 4

The final installment discusses choosing the right rolling stock and setting up for operations.

Building a Compact Shelf Layout Part 1

Choosing a theme, benchwork, backdrop, building hills, roadbed, painting the sky, distant hills, laying track, highway overpass, paving highways, coloring rock castings, culverts.

Building a Foam Core Board Layout

The objective of this project was to build an HO-scale layout that uses only simple construction techniques, no messy materials, no power tools, lightweight materials, and all materials must be transportable in a small car. This installment covers the construction of the table, the "legs", and installing Unitrak track.

Building a Small N Scale Layout Part 1

The author describes building a small N-scale layout that he had originally wanted to build when he was in his teens.

Building a Small N Scale Layout Part 2

In this installment, the author focuses on scenery.

Building a Small N Scale Layout Part 3

In this installment, the author adds water and ground cover.

Building a Small N Scale Layout Part 4

With this installment, the author completes the construction of the layout, which includes lighted buildings, water features, installing trees, creating a fascia, and adding details.

Building a Small O Scale Layout Part 15

This installment starts a series of articles on how to build grade crossings. Several close-up photos of prototype grade crossings and modeled grade crossings are included. This installment covers the construction of a timber-based grade crossing, with step-by-step photos.

Building a Small O Scale Layout Part Six

This installment discusses ground cover. The article includes fantastic photos of grasses growing in between the tracks. A step-by-step set of photos show how the author modeled that on the layout.

Building a Small O Scale Layout Part Sixteen

This install covers how to model paved roads, gutters, curbs, sidewalks, and painting roads.

Building a Transportable Layout

The author describes how he built a portable, sectional 5' x 8' layout for a local event.

Building an HO Module 1

The author introduces the standard for HO-scale module construction. The article introduces the F&S Junction 2x4-foot module. Includes photos, a trackplan of the module, a sidebar on the module construction standard, and diagrams for creating handlaid turnouts and slide switch turnout control.

Building an S Layout on a Budget Part One

The author has built 12 layouts, and he shares the lessons he has learned. The article is about how one can build a layout without spending a lot of money. His focus is mostly on AF-style layouts. He covers planning a layout, deciding on the track to use, planning the required power, planning of large scenic features, and then construction.

Building an S Layout on a Budget Part Three

In this installment, the author covers some of his wiring tips, how to start laying out the scenic components of the layout, painting the scenery, and using real dirt and gravel.

Building an S Layout on a Budget Part Two

In this installment, the author covers how he laid American Flyer sectional track, which subroadbed he used, building lift-out sections, bus wiring, and transformers.

Building LayoutS

This last installment covers painting or apply different decals to cars, thoughts on kitbashing or scratchbuilding equipment and structures, and the variety of materials that are available today.

Building S Layout

The author details his modeling railroading history, covering an estimated 35 layouts built.

Building S Layout

The author recommends starting small when building a layout, especially if it is your first one.

Building S Layout

The author covers planning your benchwork, tips for framing, and planning for grades when you are planning your layout's construction. Includes several layout photos.

Building S Layout

The author covers forced perspective, using a view block, mining and logging, modeling trees, and using styrofoam in layout construction.

Building S Layout

In this installment the author discusses the various track options available for S-scale at the time. Includes a couple of photos from various modelers' layouts.

Building S Layout

Information about how to wire a hi-rail layout.

Building S Layout

This installment covers backdrops, lighting, and rocks.

Building S Layout

This installment covers how to make roads, parking lots, dirt roads, railroad crossings, and building structures (including using Plasticville kits).

Building S Layout

Building a smaller layout may require running shorter equipment. Tips on keeping equipment from rolling away. Adding figures to equipment, and what direction the engineer should be facing in steam and diesel locomotives.

Building the Benchwork for My PRR Northeastern Division

The trackplan for this layout, which was presented in the October 1995 issue, is now being implemented. Construction details as well as final layout photos accompany the article. The entire front fascia of this layout functions are the control panel.

Building the Carbondale Part 2

This installment covers creating the scenery, bridge construction (detail drawings show how to build a deck girder bridge under curved track), construction of the upper level, building the wharf, and construction the backdrops (including curves). Close-up photos of Malcolm's beautiful work are, of course, included.

Building the Carbondale Central 3

This part discusses building bridges, structures, installing water, and fascias.

Building the Carbondale Central Part 1

This 7'9" by 7'9" layout features a simple trackplan, yet very interesting and involved scenery. The author starts a series of articles on how to build this L-shaped layout, without damaging the home's walls. Full drawings of the benchwork are included, trackwork is started (a simple figure-8), control panel designed, and wiring.

Building the Covipan Intermodal Yard

Planning and constructing an intermodal yard for this modern-day layout, from start to finish. Includes a track plan for this 11' x 12' U-shaped layout.

Building the CS&R

The author's first S-scale layout (switching from HO-scale) represents an an independently-owned 1950s western bridge line that operates between the Rio Grande and the Union Pacific railroads. This article covers the method for building the benchwork, how the yards were handles, and choosing to use code 100 rail. A few under-construction photos accompany the article.

Building the Easyville

The S Gauge Herald's project layout continues with the wiring.

Building the Easyville Shortline Railroad

Building a small layout for the publisher's office.

Building the Easyville Shortline Railroad

This installment covers the construction of the railroad's benchwork.

Building the Easyville Shortline Railroad

This installment completes the construction of the framework, install the track, and begin operating the layout. Includes photos and a track plan, as well as a parts list.

Building the Joplin & Southern Part 1

Building a simple 4'x8' starter layout. This installment covers the styrofoam base, track, roadbed, and wiring.

Building the Lamar, Queens & Northern

Building a starter 4x8 layout for less than $300 (1984) dollars. Includes benchwork construction, track parts, structures, laying track, ballasting, installing electronics, and scenery work.

Building the Marengo, Milwaukee & Northern

A 4x8 layout built by the entire family. The article shows diagrams of the benchwork, scenery forms, and block wiring.

Building the Milwaukee Road in a 23'x32' Basement

The author describes how he is building his layout. Includes a hand-drawn track plan, and photos of the construction methods he has used.

Building the New BC&G Part One

The author describes tearing down his old layout, packing the various details, and introduces the new layout's design and his objectives.

Building the New BC&G Part Three

In this installment, the author starts building the Appalachian Mountain scenery on his new layout. He also describes his method of dealing with backdrops (only sky and clouds, thanks to the mountains).

Building the New BC&G Part Two

This installment covers the benchwork, roadbed, track, and DCC.

Building the South Park Valley Part VII

This installment covers the roadbed made out of Homasote© and styrofoam slopes. Foam and cork are also discussed. A handy tool for creating foam slopes for the roadbed is described, as well as a tool for sanding handlaid wooden ties.

Building the Turtle Creek Central Part 2

Laying track and building foam hills.

Building the Turtle Creek Central Part 3

This installment shows how to add bridges, forests, rocks, and rivers.

Building Vance Junction in HOn3

This photo essay article describes the author's recently completed Vance Junction on his layout. He completely finishes one scene before even laying track in the next area. It is a 9' x 24', double-deck layout where the upper level has already been completed, as described in the July/August, 2006 issue of NGSLG. The article includes construction photos.

Buy a Battleship, Build a Railroad Around it

Rick Yost bought a real-world 15-foot O-scale model of a battleship, and decided to build a model railroad around that monster. Includes many photos of the ship and his layout.

Canadian National Railways Sanmore Subdivision

The author describes his dream workshop, which he built two years before starting his layout. He shares the layout diagram, and several photos of his workshop.

Canadian National Railways Sanmore Subdivision

The author shares his layout's construction progress, a track plan, and many photos.

Canadian National Railways Sanmore Subdivision

The author shares updates and changes he has made to his layout over the past year.

Canadian National Railways Sanmore Subdivision

The author shares his progress on his layout, specifically due to a restriction in the availability of hobby funds. He covers installing fascia, backdrop photos, adding a 3D-printer, scratchbuilding a large bridge, and expanding his fleet.

Canadian National Railways Sanmore Subdivision

The author provides a review of what he accomplished on his layout over the past year. It includes the purchase of a CNC machine to build a bridge.

Comme-n-tary: A Mountain from a Cardboard Box

Building large mountains using cardboard strips, applying scenery base, and installing trees.

Construction Update - Train Wreck

The author shares his progress on his layout, which was not as much as he had expected, impacted by the government lockdowns of the past year. The majority of the article is a photo essay of the changes made.

Creating a 3D Backdrop

How to build a curved backdrop, with lots of photos and construction information.

Creating an Urban Scene for a Stub-ended Yard

This article describes how the author built a removable section of scenery that hides, but yet remains accessible, a set of storage tracks.

Creative Layout Downsizing

How to deal with moving into a smaller space.

Crescent City Progress Report

A progress report on the Crescent City Model Railroad Club's layout construction. Includes several layout photos.

Design Tips for Control Panels

How to design control panels, where to put them, and making their placement part of your initial layout design. Lots of photos of example control panels.

Disassembling the Monon

The author is moving, but prior to the layout's demolition, it was photographed in its best condition for a feature article in the Model Railroader magazine. Now the author is literally digging a basement under his new house for the salvaged parts of the old layout to be incorporated into the old. Includes photos of both.

Disguising Backdrop Openings

The author described how he hid four openings on his layout. The special construction techniques and lighting methods complete hide the potential eye-sore.

Doing Desert Scenery on the 8th Sub

The author demonstrates how he builds his scenery base, adds rocks, and builds up the scenery.

Doing It With Mirrors

On a 2'x4' module, the author was able to create the illusion of greater depths by using a mirror.

Doing the String Thing

Using strings to line up the two sides of a future bridge span.

Double Deck Benchwork Construction

The author describes how he developed the plan for his double-decked layout and how he actually built it. Includes many construction photos and hand-draw track plans.

Easements for the Learning Curve

The author discusses turnout placement, making sure to have enough electrical power (e.g. adding dedicated circuits for the layout room), filling rail gaps with something/anything, reverse curves (s-curves), and hidden trackage.

Easy Recessed Fascia Controls

Building recessed controls for turnouts.

Easy Turnout Controls

Using a slide switch to control turnouts manually through cabinet knobs that stick out through the front fascia. Includes wiring diagrams for controlling the power to the turnout's frog.

Engineering Department

Slowly replacing solenoid switch machines with either Blue Points or Tortoise ones. Additional layout progress.

Engineering Department

The author describes how he made a section of his layout such that it could be tilted up so that he could get to the wires and electronics under the layout.

Exhibition Tips for an Unfinished Layout

The author shares ideas (with photos) about how one could present a layout that appears to be more complete than it really is.

Fabricating a Fascia-mounted Control Panel

Having many animations to control, the author used blank electrical wall plates to build his custom control panel.

Fascias

The basics about what can be incorporated into a layout's fascia.

Fiddle Shelf Staging

This article includes diagrams and photos of a two-track shelving system that the author uses to move trains onto and off of his layout.

Focus on Thatcher's Inlet Part 1

Inspired by a sea-side vacation the author built this 2'6" by 6' diorama using N-scale track. Includes prototype and model photos, as well as possible trackplans for a layout within which this diorama fits.

Fold Down Train Board

Building a box that can hold a fold-down table so that the layout can be flipped out of the way when not in use.

FOMA Meets TOMA

The author describes how he built a long module using 2-inch thick insulation foam only. Includes lots of construction photos.

Fooling the Eye on the Royal Gorge

Using an invisible helix to make the track gain elevation at the end of the peninsula. Also describes how fool the viewer into thinking the train goes somewhere when in reality it goes into a hidden tunnel for staging.

Foolproof Sky Painting

A step-by-step photo article on how to paint and blend layers of slightly different blue colors (using oil paints, which don't dry as fast). The author did his entire 60 feet of backdrop in 5 hours.

From the Observation Lounge

The author would like to see more layout builders place placeholder structures on their layouts, so that visitor have an idea of what is going to be where. To give them a glimpse into what the layout owner is planning.

From the Observation Lounge

The author shares his thoughts about tearing out a large layout's benchwork to start a new, smaller layout.

Fun in Tiny Spaces

The author discusses how he designs, builds, and then operates his tiny G-scale layout that covers only one square foot. Includes design and construction photos. There is a side bar called "Games People Play" that covers some other small layouts that can keep operators busy, such as the famous TimeSaver.

Getting Real

The author describes how he received and off-the-cuff comment and a chance-meeting, both of which led him to building a staging yard for his layout. Includes both prototype (visiting the yard) and model photos (constructing the yard).

Getting Real

Build your layout such that it can be moved if you intent to preserve all or portions of it. Sidebars include, staggering rail joints across sections, adjustable feet.

Getting Real: Flipping The Piers

The author discusses various decisions he has made to model a pier in his layout.

Getting to the Fun Part

The author's layout is based on the CP Rail's Lyndonville and Newport Subdivisions in northern Vermont. He doesn't enjoy the early part of layout construction, but describes it in this article, starting from finishing the basement, building the benchwork, and completing scenery in sections.

Granddad Makes a Layout for Christmas

The author describes how he built two small layouts for his grandsons. Includes construction photos, and completed photos of both layouts.

Great Western Rail & Mining Part IV

Installing the electrical wiring and train control for these modules.

Handy Layout Table

This article describes how the author built a table for the Woodland Scenics Scenic Ridge layout.

Have You Ever Torn Down a Big Layout?

Advice about what it takes to tear down a large layout, and documenting your inventory for your loved ones and friends.

How Deep the Valley

The author describes how he built a swing-away platform to act as a valley bottom in a duck-under area of his layout. Includes many photos.

How to Build Solid Benchwork

The author describes how he decided to build this layout out of MDF (medium-density fiberboard). Includes lots of construction photos.

Ideas for Spectacular Bridges

The author wants bridges, but didn't want to deal with grades. His layout is only 30" deep. He shares his ideas on how to model them effectively given those constraints. Includes construction photos, final photos, as well as prototype photos.

Introducing the Allegheny Midland Part 2

In this installment of the author's now-famous layout, he shows the trackplan, develops the reason for the layout's existence, describes the why behind the era and area, lists the trains to be operated, and develops plans for operating sessions.

Introducing the N Scale Burlington Northern Part 1

The first part of this series covers how the decision was made to build this N-scale layout, who was involved, and what was to be modeled. Includes a track plan, many photos of the layout and some prototype photos of the area.

Introducing the Wisconsin Central in N Scale Part 1

The Model Railroader magazine's staff is starting a new project. The article discusses who worked on the project, research information about the prototype (including prototype photos and a map of the modeled area), what key features they wanted in the layout, and a diagram of the 9' by 16' layout.

Iota: End of a Very Short Line

The author built a 17" x 56" switching layout representing the end of a short line in the Great Plains.

Joe Fugate's Siskiyou Line 2 Progress Update

The author has torn down his layout and is building a new one using the "TOMA" approach. He also shares the lessons learned from the previous layout that he is addressing in the new one.

Keeping Track

As people operate on the owner's layout, they are requested to make "bad order" signs and locate them near the area where work needs to be done.

Layout/Module Maintenance And Housekeeping

The author shares tips for maintaining your layout, including track cleaning methods, track maintenance, scenery cleaning, rolling stock wheels, cleaning the areas around the layout, and fixing wiring issues.

Lessons from a Successful Layout Part 2

This installment discusses the virtues of having nice scenery to help set the tone for operations.

Lightweight Benchwork

This article describes how the author builds his modules for his G-scale modular layout. The techniques shown build a very strong, yet lightweight module.

Madisonville & Jamestown Railroad

The author, a retired professional railroader, describes how he built a layout in a 17' x 19' garage in Australia. The MJRR is a fictitious short line set in the Midwest of the USA operating from the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s. The article includes a track plan, and construction photos.

Make Your Own Roadbed

Using 5mm EasyMat foam, normally used to place under tile flooring, the author built a flexible, easy-to-use subroadbed.

Making Photographic Backdrops

This article describes how to use your computer and a color printer to create photographic backdrops, and how to mount the printout to the layout's backdrop.

Metropolitan Transit Authority Part 2

This installment covers laying the girder rail and flextrack for trolley. Includes many construction photos, wiring diagram, and a sidebar on control panel construction.

Metropolitan Transit Authority Part 3

In this installment the article covers installing the paving and scenery of the Boston MTA layout. The street paving is done with patching plaster because of its longer working time. The article also covers ballasting, installing back drops, building landforms, and making culverts and a reservoir. Includes many construction photos.

Metropolitan Transit Authority Part 4

An epoxy body kit and an NWSL drive make for smooth-running PCC. Mechanical installation photos. Scale drawings. Prototype photos.

Metropolitan Transit Authority Part 5

Installing catenary.

Metropolitan Transit Authority Part 6

A few easy scratchbuilt buildings firmly root the layout in the prototype.

Mirror, Mirror on the Layout

Using a mirror and the correct positioning of lights to make a track and scenery appear to continue beyond the wall.

Model Railroad Maintenance of Way Part II

This installment talks about how to keep roadbed and track in good shape. It covers creating removable section of scenery to access turnout machines, creating track cleaner cars using the John Allen method, creating a magnet car for pickup metal parts, and creating your own rerailer.

Modeling Elevated Rail Lines

Elevating ones layout track can expand the available modeling space. The author shows examples on his and other's layouts.

Modeling the Clinchfield RR. Part 1

This is the introductory part of a three-part article on how the Model Railroader staff built a portable 6' x 13' N-scale layout, based on a prototype railroad. This introduction talks about how they got started, the prototype research they did, layout design, equipment selection, how the layout is to be operated and controlled, and provides lots of photos of the layout itself. There is a column in the back of the issue to talks about the behind-the-scenes set-up for photographing the layout.

Modeling the M&StL Through Mason City Part I

The author is getting ready to model the town of Mason City, Iowa in as close of a match as possible. This installment covers the research he did, how he decided to model just one town, the industries in the area, and the depot. It includes a lot of prototype photos.

Modeling the M&StL Through Mason City Part II

The author describes how he was committed to modeling this town using the actual trackplan. Prototype and model photos are includes, as well as prototype trackplans for the diesel house and the depot area. The layout trackplan is also included. Finally, he covers the three "jobs" in how the layout (and the prototype) is operated.

Modified L Girder

Describes Gordon's changes to the standard L-girder layout benchwork created by Linn Westcott.

More Convenient Loco Storage

The author describes how he built a storage case for each locomotive, so that they can be driven onto and off of it onto the layout without needing to touch the engines. Includes many construction and usage photos.

MR Workshop

The author shares a tip on how he made a tunnel liner out of corrugated plastic drain tubing. Show one photo and a drawing of how to cut the pipe up for single- and double-track tunnels.

My Son's First Train Layout

This one-page article describes how the author build a 24" x 40" table for his son's Brio (wooden trains) layout.

N Scale Helix Helper

Shows how to build a helix out of plywood using the slot method.

Narrow Gauge in a Garage Part 1

This first installment discusses the how and why of building an O-scale layout in a garage shared with the family car. Layout photos, trackplan, and sidebars are includes. One sidebar is about On3 v.s On2-1/2, and another is on converting a Bachmann 2-6-0 to On3. There are several more on On3 trucks, and adding DCC to an On2-1/2 Porter.

Narrow Gauge in a Garage Part 2

This installment covers building benchwork, with specific focus on the tight constraints and sloping floor of a garage. It also covers backdrop construction, and building storage shelves upon which the layout rests.

Narrow Gauge in a Garage Part 3

This installment covers installing DCC, installing roadbed on the new layout, and installing Tortoise switch motors using the NCE decoders.

News from the North

After making a brief note about how Fast Tracks has bought out Mt. Albert Scale Lumber, the author describes the work benches three local S-scale modelers have built for their layout and model construction efforts.

News from the North

The author is in the process of moving to a new home, so he is using this opportunity to make some changes to his sectional layout, such as switching to battery power. Includes a sidebar on how to create fish from used chop sticks.

Our Seaboard Central Part 1

The Model Railroader magazine staff built this layout in front of a live audience at the 50th anniversary of the NMRA. The new 4'-7" x 8'-6" layout is intended to extend the Kitty Hawk Central they covered starting with the December, 1981 issue of MR. The article includes behind-the-scenes photos, a track plan, and discusses the construction of the bench work, track and wiring. It also includes sidebars on creating and installing end-of-train devices, and the construction of their simple switch machine.

Painting a Scenic Backdrop

This step-by-step how-to article shows how to paint a backdrop without needing great artistic skills.

Paneled Benchwork

Making basic rectangular open frame boxes (carcases) upon which the layout is constructed, and then covering it all with wood paneling.

Pelle Soeborg's Daneburg Subdivision

ExactRail acquired Pelle's layout, who shipped it from Denmark. Includes many photos and a track plan.

Plastic Pipe Roadbed

Using 1/2" inner-diameter PVC pipe to form the basis of the roadbed, which allows for natural easements in all three directions.

Port of Los Angeles Project Railroad part 2

This module has lots of track and serves at least five industries. This installment covers cutting up commercial turnouts to make them fit, how to deal with rail size differences (code 100 to 83), wiring, switch stands, how to make roads, and how to have track buried in pavement.

Port of Los Angeles Project Railroad part 4

This final installment covers installing the removable liquid bulk terminal, adding details, using European kits, fencing, dirt, ballast, backdrop installation, and a sidebar on painting and weathering.

Presentation Car 422

Photos of a scene on Maynard Mitchell's C&NW Eagle River Valley, Wisconsin, railroad under construction.

Publisher's Musings

Joe is actually dismantling his Siskiyou Line layout.

Publisher's Musings

The author shares his progress of dismantling his current layout.

Publisher's Musings

Layout design with the "shadowbox" look.

Quick and Easy Flextrack

Using DAP All Purpose Adhesive Caulk or topper tape to more quickly lay flextrack (the tape provides a sub-roadbed).

Railroading in a Drawer

The author built a pull-out drawer that acts as a staging yard. It is located under his layout and can hold entire trains. Lining up the drawer with the yard track allows trains to be moved into and out of storage. The article describes how he built the drawer and the electronics needed to show a green or red light indicating the status of the drawer alignment.

Rails on the Ceiling

The author describes his garage-based 7' x 16' layout that resides near the ceiling when not in use. Includes photos of the pulley system he built and many layout photos.

Rebuilding the White Mountain Branch

The author describes the process of removing a large section of his established layout and replacing it with some new, and the reason for doing this.

Recessed Fascia Panels

To avoid damaging the plugs of throttles, the author shows how he built recessed fascia panels.

Refining Your Goals

This article is about Robert Hoffman and his desire to change the area he wanted to model. There isn't much information about Robert's layout in the article, but it describes some unique issues he dealt with, such as being able to have operations in the dark.

Relocation a Railroad

The author's layout (see the first article of this issue) was started as a freelanced one, but now he has decided to become more prototypically-accurate. How does that affect a layout that is still under construction, but well under way?

Roque Bluffs Lightweight Benchwork Part 2

Using a spare shelf in a bookcase, the author describes how he built several layouts that fit in the space. This installment covers how to light the shelf, how to make lightweight benchwork, preparing for roadbed and water surfaces, and assembling the benchwork.

Route to the Redwoods

The layout is housed in a 12 by 42 feet room, with a 12-foot square workshop. The author describes some of the early stages of the construction after switching from HOn3 to On3.

S in a Corner

The author discusses why he switched from modeling in N-scale to S-scale, even though he has less space available. The layout is set in the corner of his home office, comprising two modules in an L-shape. It is a simple switching layout only 16 inches of shelf space. He models the ATSF in downtown Flagstaff, Arizona in the 1950s. Includes a track plan, layout photos, and prototype photos of the area modeled.

S Tracks

The author is starting a new column in the Dispatch discussing what it takes to get a layout built and running. In this column he starts off with handling all of the common complaints.

S Tracks

The author shares a letter he got that describes how the modeler got out of his comfort zone, to tackle layout construction. They are part of a round-robin group, the organization of which is discussed in this article. Photos of the author's layout are included in the next several pages following this article.

S Tracks

How to transcribe the track plan design to the actual layout space. Also covers how to build table-top sections.

S Tracks

Scenic curves can either be mathematically planned, or can just be put in position until the layout builder likes its position. Either approach is acceptable. The author mentioned that actual construction always differs from detailed planning.

S Tracks

Why are we drawn to buying locomotives and cars, but not structures?

S Tracks

The author makes the case for incorporating grades in your layout. Includes information about how to calculate a grade and how to deal with the vertical transitions.

S Tracks

Change can be hard to deal with, but the author makes the case that making minor or even major changes to your layout can breathe new life into your enjoyment of the hobby.

S Tracks

The author describes various ways to make the space wherein the model railroad resides more visually appealing. Includes several photos of his layout.

S Tracks

This installment covers the creation of the Mt. Washington backdrop for his layout. Includes a few photos. The backdrop is made from sections of insulation foam.

S Tracks

The author describes his struggle with the last major scene on his layout, that of capturing the city of Pittsburgh, which also happens to be the first scene that visitors to the layout see when entering the room. He describes building a raised scenic base, since it is also a staging yard. Includes many photos.

S Tracks

The reality of never finishing projects, and how to deal with that reality. How to overcome "destructive" habit in your hobby, and still enjoy the process.

S Tracks

What to do when there is a house-supporting pole in the middle of your layout space? The author's solution was to build a four-sided building around the square pole, which, when the camera is set a the right angle, makes the pole invisible.

Sam Powell's Layout

A brief update on the work being done to get Sam's layout up and running again.

San Juan Central Part 5

In this installment Malcolm describes how he builds scenery using layers of insulation foam. Lots of final photos as well as construction photos show how he does it. He covers foam rocks, coloring foam rocks, adding ground cover, grass, and weeds, creating roads, modeling Caspia Pine trees and Caspia Aspen trees, and modeling water.

Savvy Modeler Online

How to make fancy control panels.

Scale Scene

The author describes how he used to model the period between 1900 and 1920 in S-scale, and what it took to model that effectively. Photos of example models are included in the article.

Scene Around the Layout

The author shares several photo of his layout under construction.

Scene Around the Layout

Photos of using sawdust mixed with white glue and aluminum screening to form the basis of the author's layout.

Scenery for the Swayzee Pacific Transportation Co.

The author describes how he and fellow modelers built their scenery base using coat hangers and cardboard strips, covered with aluminum foil and Hydrocal.

Seasonal Dust Cover

Building a frame to cover a small layout protecting it from dust.

Shabbona Railroad Gets A Turntable

Drawing on his experience dealing with real-world turntables, the author modifies his HO-scale Heljan turntable kit to operate smoothly on his S-scale layout. Includes many close-up photos of the work done to the table.

Short And Easy

Thoughts on building an automatic protection method for preventing engines from falling on the floor when a lift-out section has been removed from the layout.

Simple, Reliable Turnout Controls

Manual turnout control using slide switches, that still look right.

Slim Gauge Observations

An update about the author's layout, since it will be open before and after the 2013 NASG Convention. Includes an updated track plan.

Slim Gauge Observations

The author shares some photos of his layout, which is open during the 2013 NASG Convention.

Slip-Switch - The Start

Building the plywood support for a slip-switch.

So Here's What I Do

Dick's layout is very high up, which eliminates the need for some typical details. He uses mirrors to make the layout appear larger than it is, of which he describes a few in this article (with photos).

So You Think You Don't Have Room for a Layout?

The author built a layout around the perimeter of his room, near the ceiling. He describes the plusses and minuses of such an approach. Includes several photos, and design diagrams for the supports. It also covers his vast AF collection and what he runs on the layout.

Some Layout Ideas

A visit with Roy Meissner reveals how he planned and built his model railroad to support two levels of track work. He built a model of his benchwork out of basswood to help him visualize the final product. It also covers how Roy joins his rail together. Several photos are included with this article.

Southern Pacific Coast Line Update

A layout update photo essay.

Space-saving Control Panel

The idea is to build your control panel on a slide-out drawer. The author describes how he built his with several photos and detail drawings.

Starting Over Part 3

This installment covers the demolition of the previous layout, preparation of the room, and the beginning of the construction of the new one.

Steel Benchwork

This article describes how to actually use steel to make a free-standing layout. The layout fits in a 32'x33.5' room and is shaped like a U. The article isn't so much about the layout, but on the actual steps taken to build a sturdy and economic layout benchwork.

Steel Stud Benchwork

The author was looking for a lower-cost and lighter-weight solution than the typical wooden benchwork. He discovered that steel studs for home building worked just fine for him. The layout is covered with 2-inch thick foam as the layout subsurface.

Steel???

Using steel to construction a layout benchwork. Includes oil pits for walking under the layout.

Storage Cabinets

"Notrack" (a play on NTrak) storage cabinets. These cabinets were built by club members to more easily move their rolling stock and other equipment needed to set up for shows. A 3-D diagram of the cabinets is included, along with a parts list and a cutting diagram to build one from a single 4'x8' sheet of plywood.

Street Running in Bridgevue

In a follow-up visit, the author describes the changes he has made to his layout since the June 2014 issue article, which includes "street running". Includes many photos, and a track plan of the area.

Stretch Your Main Line With a Virtual Interlocking

The article describes how the layout owner built a closet to give the illusion of a great distance travelled by the trains. A wall-mounted photo serves as indicator board for timing the duration of the stay in the closet.

Styrene Backdrops and Easy Clouds

The article covers working with styrene, creating a free-standing styrene backdrop, framing a styrene backdrop, and painting clouds with an airbrush.

Sunrise on Thather's Inlet Part 2

This installment focuses on how one can capture the atmosphere of an area being modeled. It is amazing how many details the authors squeezed into this small layout.

Tall Timber Railroad Part 3

This installment covers backdrops, including construction, photo backdrops, and painting the backdrop.

Tall Timber Railroad Part 5

This installment covers how to build the switches using Fast Tracks' kits.

Tall Timber Railroad Part 6

This installment covers wiring the layout. It includes the standards the author followed on his layout, and which DCC system he chose and why.

Tall Timber Railroad Part 7

This installment of the series covers scenery. It includes plastering the "ground", installing rock castings, ground foam, trees, roads, and pathways.

Tall Timber Railroad Part 8

This installment covers scratchbuilt bridges and using Wooland Scenic Realistic Water.

The 'S'traight & Narrow

The author looked to the EBT prototype to figure out how to move coal on his layout between standard- and narrow-gauge.

The 'S'traight & Narrow

In this column the author covers various non-S-scale kits that can be used to model Sn3 cars. Includes photos of some of those projects.

The 'S'traight & Narrow

Covers how goods were transferred between narrow-gauge and standard-gauge cars. Also covered are how to have two identical cars, one with each type of truck to simulate transferring the car by swapping the trucks (includes photos).

The 'S'traight & Narrow

In this article the author describes how he converted a 4-6-0 Mantua HO-scale locomotive into an Sn3 model. Includes a parts list, and a couple of construction photos.

The Ah-hah Moment

Consider using the Harbor Freight hot knife for quick cutting and shaping of foam scenery.

The Art of Using Mirrors

This article was composed by Bob Hayden from handwritten notes of an unpublished article that John had been working on in 1970, but he never submitted to Model Railroader magazine for publication. His layout contained some 30 mirrors. This article covers how and why John installed them.

The Basics of L-Girder Construction

The author describes how L-girder layout construction is done, with three large diagrams included.

The Challenges of Building a Layout in a Garage

The author describes the common problems encountered when placing your layout in a garage, such as bugs and dust. His weathering approach accounts for the standard shade of dust collecting in his garage.

The Christmas Challenge

The author and another modeler were asked by a wife to build a model railroad that shows off some of the industries owned by her husband... no monetary restrictions. They designed and built a 43" by 10' 4" layout in just three months, which included scratchbuilt structures.

The Easton Lumber Company...

A freelanced railroad based on California logging lines that fits on a 42"x84" module. Includes a track and materials list. The article continues with the expansion modules to the base module, including all the way up to the final design for a spare bedroom layout.

The Evolution of a Track Plan

The author describes the various emotional stages a model goes through when having selected a layout that is too much to handle. Included in the article is the story of how the author and his client worked through the design of the client's layout.

The Granite Mountain Railway Part 3

Revisits the construction of this layout, dealing with open houses, and interjects philosophy about building a large layout. Includes track plan and many photos of the layout, including the CTC panel and the helix in the garage.

The Great Western Rail & Mining Plc. Part III

This installment focuses on laying track and ballasting. Turnout control is discussed as well as a small car he built to mark off track-side ditches accurately.

The HO Scale Madison Central

A 4' by 8' layout built by the Youth Group of the NMRA's South Central Wisconsin Division. The layout has a simple main line, with two spurs for some switching.

The Lowville & Beaver River R.R. Part 1

The first installment starts off researching the prototype of this railroad that starts in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains. The article includes prototype photos, area track arrangements, and possible layout track plans.

The Maumee Basin Lines Redux

Rich Bougerie helped with the layout's construction.

The Mountain Park Extension

The author describes how he extended his layout and the decisions he had to make. Includes a sidebar on how he built the mountains, and another one on how ore is processed. Includes a trackplan of the new area. An interesting modeling idea is how he shows the interior of the mine shaft in the edge of the layout.

The N Scale Burlington Northern Part 4

Laying track and building hills. Includes the track wiring diagram, how to lay track and deal with easements, preparing turnouts, and creating bridges

The New West Jersey Railroad Part 2

The author mentions that help from his friend makes the new layout construction possible, as his illness prevents him from doing the work. Includes photos of the layout so far, as well as an updated track plan.

The New West Jersey Railroad Part 3

The author describes how he controls the trains on his layout, having divided it into three blocks. Includes photos of the panels, and the girder bridges he is building from scratch. The DCC schematic is shown on pages 33 and 34 of the PDF version of this issue.

The Penobscot Central

The author describes how he dealt with his layout room's floor being uneven by as much as 3 inches. He used a method of filling a clear garden hose with water to determine layout level in his 40-foot room.

The Perfect Storm

The author decided that now was the perfect time to tear down and rebuild about 70% of his layout that was mostly complete. He documents his 14-month journey with text and many photos.

The Roundhouse

How to successfully have your around-the-Christmas-tree layout up and running by December 25.

The Salt Lake Route Part 4

In this installment the author covers how he wired the small layout for DCC, built a pull-out tray for the DCC command station, how he wired the Kato turnouts, and how he connected the wire to the spade lugs. A sidebar about N-scale decoder installation is also included, but doesn't contain much information.

The Santa Rita Mini Layout

The author describes the 6'8" long by 8" deep shelf layout he built due to space-constraints.

The Silver City Central

Jim focuses on building the cookie-cutter benchwork for this 3.5' x 8' layout. Includes benchwork diagrams and trackplan. Looks like a nice design that can later be integrated into a larger layout.

The Soo's Red Wing Division

The author covers building a 4' x 8' layout from benchwork design through scenery. Includes parts list, trackplan, and layout photos. Steps covered are: benchwork, tracklaying, adding turnouts, painting track, constructing scenic ridge, adding scenery, rock casting, streets and roads, and details. Includes a sidebar on flextrack.

The Stonega Branch

Building a 4 by 6 foot layout. This installment covers how the project came about, building the benchwork and scenic dividers, installing track, completing the backdrop, and installing the rough scenery.

The Stonega Branch Pt II

This installment covers installing DCC, wiring the railroad, using DCC for turnout control with Digitrax' DS64, and some more scenery work. The last part of the article covers the fifth day of construction and the fact that the layout is used in shows.

The Yore Mine II Railroad, in S

The author covers his model railroading history, and how is now getting ready to build a 12'x14' S-scale layout. The article includes the 1:12 mock-up of the layout he built and the layout's track plan. The layout's benchwork was built to be portable.

There Comes a Time

Installing and test bridge piers.

This Time - It's S Scale! Chapter I

This article has the author describing how he got into S-scale when he was approached about becoming the Dispatch editor, and saw all the products available in S. Also includes preparing the basement, coming up with a track plan design, and deciding upon which railroad to model. Includes several track plan designs.

This Time It's 'S' Part V

The author continues his updates on his Elk & Gauley layout, with completing a loop of track to run trains, and installing various bridges.

This Time It's S Chapter II

Jeff continues his layout construction article, this time covering building sectional benchwork, and evaluating the earlier track plan. Includes construction photos, and track plan drawing.

This Time It's S Chapter III

The author now tackles the issue of building an S-scale equipment roster for his planned layout. Also covers structures, track, and electronics.

This Time It's S Chapter IV

The author describes how the model railroading greats influenced his approach to the hobby. When switching to S-scale, he had to become familiar with the mainstays of S, such as Frank Titman and Sam Powell.

This Time It's S Chapter IV

Jeff continues his central West Virginia layout construction project, covering foam hills, bridges, and tunnels. Includes several under-construction photos.

This Time It's S Part VI

The author was able to incorporate a lower level in the construction of his peninsula. Includes construction tips, plans, and photos.

To Crash or Not

Things we can do to make our layouts safe during the construction phase, so that no trains run off of the ends or fall off of the layout during a derailment.

Topside Mounting for the Tortoise Switch Machine

The author describes and shows how he mounted a Tortoise switch machine above the layout surface (double-deck layout) in such a way that it will works as before (there is no fulcrum available).

Track and Control for Jerome & Southwestern Part 2

In this installment the author covers laying the track (including tuning turnouts), installing two-cab control, building the control panel, wiring philosophies, and wiring switch machines. There are many close-up photos of the progress, complete electrical diagrams, and a scaled image of the control panel.

Track and Power for the South Plains District part 2

This installment of the sectional layout construction covers the scenery base, tracklaying using sectional track, wiring, and rail command control

Tracks and Rocks for Our Branch Line Part 2

In this installment the author discusses how to lay track, build a bridge, and cast rocks.

Trackwork on the Lowville & Beaver River Part 3

This installment focuses on laying the track and building the bridges. It also includes a sidebar on how to make molds for the bridge piers and how to make track connectors for a portable layout.

Train Set Gazette

This special section of the magazine describes some train sets in G, HO, and On30. It then describes how to build a basic 4'x8' trolley layout on two levels. It also describes some special accessories and how to model in narrow gauge.

Transfer Table

Building a transfer table that can also be flipped down so as to be out of the way. Many construction photos, a diagram, and descriptive text.

Tunnel Through the Wall

The author describes how he hid an unsightly hole in the wall by modeling a coal breaker plant on one side and a coal unloading shed on the other side. He also describes how he dealt with hiding a pole in his layout, by curving the back drop around it, while the track goes into a tunnel behind it.

Turning Those Lemons into Lemonade

The author had a problem area on his layout, which, of course, was under existing scenery. He describes the problem, his solution, and encourages us to make a list of things to fix on our layouts, so that you can tackle multiple ones when the time comes.

Turtle Creek Branch Line Part 4

In this part of the construction series the author builds the coal mine kitbashed from two kits, and adds other details. This is the last installment of this series.

Use View Blocks to Extend Your Layout

The author shares various ways he has used view-blocks to separate sections of his layout, including how to hide a tunnel entrance. Includes a track plan of his 24'x49' 1951 Santa Fe layout.

Using the Woodland Scenics Mod-U-Rail System

The author does a product review and actual application of this new system using Ron Kemp's 5' x 9' layout.

Variations On The Access Hatch

The author describes how the Columbia Gorge Club has self-storing access hatches. The article includes a track plan of the club's layout, as well as details about the layout itself.

What's Neat with Ken Patterson

Modeling damaged freight cars. Building a G-gauge diorama for a photo shoot. Installing a DCC decoder in an HO-scale brass engine. Moving a shelf portion lower on the layout and using LED light strips to light the area under it.

Z Scale Western Pacific Part 7

This installment finishes the construction of the layout. It covers uncoupling ramps, weathering cars (by sucking them into the vacuum cleaner, removing the out-of-scale dirt, and then spraying with a fixative; done!), backdrop painting and structures, lighting, and installing weeds. The project's conclusion wraps up the article.