Video Inside the January 2013 Model Railroader

See what's new in the pages of Model Railroader magazine and online at www.ModelRailroader.com

Published: November 15, 2012

In the January issue of Model Railroader magazine, the Winter Hill quarry branch line project begins on the MR staff's club layout, the Milwaukee Racine & Troy. There's also a story about a New England themed model railroad built in a Florida attic. You also learn about adding Digital Command Control (DCC) and sound to an HO scale switcher, applying basic scenery techniques, 5 expert tips for installing roadbed and track, and much more. Follow editor Neil Besougloff as he shows you all the highlights of the January 2013 issue and the latest online extras at www.ModelRailroader.com.

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JOHN C MOORE from MICHIGAN said:

I read over the 1/2013 article on track laying and was interested in the strip of automotive material used to deaden sound. It looks like the same stuff the building industry uses to seal windows and doors from moisture pentration. I can find that at Home Depot, not so sure about the other stuff. How about temp. changes? Is it affected and could it cause the track to move?

Submitted: 12/19/2012 9:31:15 PM (CST)

ALFRED COTHAM said:

I too would like to see more layouts in the 5' to 12' size and in the 50's and 60's era if possible. Thanks

Submitted: 12/19/2012 8:35:31 AM (CST)

JOSEPH TOTH JR from GERMANY said:

What ever happened to all the classic HO layouts that were found in Model Railroader and Model Trains magazine? The early 1950s Pine Tree Central in MR comes to mind. Ed Seay, Jr., owner of the MAL Hobby Shop in Irving, TX, still has his version running in his shop! John Allen's original Gorre & Daphetid remains perfect for apartment dwellers!

Mr. Demoss should refer to the 1958 published book "Six Atlas HO layouts You Can Build". Layout #6, the Central Midland is an example of a large L shaped model railroad that Atlas proclaims to be simular to St. Louis Union Station area trackage. One of my favorites remains the layout featured on the rear cover of Lionel's 1957 catalog. Its L shaped design called for two 5X9 sheets of plywood and though it was intended for O gauge, I always thought it would make a great HO layout retaining the two 5X9s thus providing a quite lengthy mainline run with wide radius curves.

It is time to revisit these classics and bring them up to today's standards as they are timeless in design and can still be economically constructed using current materials.

Submitted: 12/19/2012 4:46:47 AM (CST)

MATTHEW PECK from VIRGINIA said:

Mr.Robert G. DEMOSS of California asked for a larger than 4x8 layout plan. I am building a folded dogone that is 15x8 feet in order to fit in s=a downstarirs room.
I uses one sheet of 1.2 inch plywood. split into 2x8, this along one wall. Another 4x8 plywood is cut into two 4x4s and aare added at each end fpor the turnarounds.These on the ends allow for a 30inch turnaround. Works for me! MBPeck

Submitted: 12/17/2012 11:03:48 AM (CST)

SCOTT PHILLIPS from INDIANA said:

Look forward to my digital edition especially on the track laying methods. I'm getting closer to my first model railroad layout build. My layout benchwork is unique. 38" x 84" then a 17" wide x 7' straight right angle run that will run into a wall with a hidden staging box outside the man cave.

Submitted: 12/16/2012 5:28:17 AM (CST)