Great Model Railroads 2018 includes a variety of scales (HO, N, and O), locations, and eras – from an O scale depiction of the Colorado Midland Railway in 1897, to a captivating mountain-railroading layout in present-day Europe. Each story features a completed layout, detailed track plan, how‑to tips, and stunning photographs. Whether you're just beginning your layout, or almost finished, you're sure to find inspiration on every page!
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Scale: HO, Prototype: Freelanced, Period: 1955-1965, Locale: southern British Columbia, Size: 12'-6" x 15'-4"
The Chester & Becket Ry. models a rugged New England short line in large scale
An HO scale layout occupies the heart of Train World in Belgium
Creating the Colorado Midland in Proto:48 meant some tough choices
Scale: Proto:48 (O fine scale), Prototype: Colorado Midland, Era: 1897, Locale: western Colorado, Size: 28 x 28 feet plus 13 x 18 feet
The Rogue Valley Model RR Club's HO scale layout models a "what if" scenario
Scale: HO, Prototype: semi-freelanced, Era: 1989, Locale: southern Oregon, Size: 26 x 52 feet
This freelanced Northern Pacific subsidiary fills a 38 x 52-foot basement
Scale: N, Prototype: freelanced, based on Northern Pacific, Era: 1954, Locale: Central Montana, Size: 38 x 52 feet
Ethanol is the lifeblood of this modern-day Midwestern layout built in Sweden
Scale: HO, Prototype: BNSF Ry., Union Pacific, Southern Pacific, and Canadian Pacific, Era: 2013, Locale: Minnesota, North Dakota, and Montana, Size: 13 x 24 feet
A lifetime of study and research led to a steel-themed layout of unrivaled accuracy
Layout owner: Mike Rabbitt, Scale: HO, Theme: integrated steel mill, Era: steam-to-diesel transition era, Locale: Midwest United States, Size: 18 x 33 feet
Free-moN standard brings flexibility, realism to N scale modular construction
Scale: N, Prototype: Pennsylvania RR, Era: 1954, Locale: Eastern U.S., Size: 18 x 27 feet
This freelanced O scale layout captures the New England of a century past
Scale: On30 (1:48, 30" gauge, Theme: freelanced New England narrow gauge short line, Era: 1912, Locale: central Vermont, Size: 12 x 15 feet
This basement empire is the result of a long modeling journey
Layout owner: Pete Walton, Scale: HO, Prototype: freelance, Era: 1950s, Locale: generic Midwest, based on northwest Illinois, Size: 36'-6" x 63'-0"
How to personalize your layout.