This afternoon I made the drive for a quick visit to the Bungendore Model Railway Exhibition. Bungendore is about 40km from home in Canberra. I didn't have a lot of spare time this weekend so I only had about an hour at the exhibition to have a good look around. This was the first model railway exhibition in Bungendore, held at the multi-purpose hall of Bungendore Primary School. There were about fifteen layouts (HO and N scale) and about half a dozen commercial traders. It was a good balance for a relatively small exhibition. Most of the layouts were exhibited by local Bungendore or Canberra railway modellers. The layouts included Crestwood, Eskbank, Little Austria, Nicholls Siding, NMRA (ACT Division) US layout, Sodor, Sydney Central, and the Canberra Monaro N scale Group's AusTrak modular layout. Springfield Junction (Hills Model Railway Society), South Creek (NSW N scale Group) and Strawberry Hills (Sydney N scale Model Railway Club) made the trip from Sydney.Yallah came from the Illawarra. I have included a few photos from my short visit today. The first two photos are from the Eskbank (circa. 1899) layout (HO scale). Eskbank is a real location near Lithgow (NSW) at the western foot of the Blue Mountains. The first photos shows (or should that be shews?) a short freight consist moving slowly through Eskbank station. Note that the freight car just behind the loco is a wagon hauling coal gas. The second photo shows a U105 on the turntable at Eskbank. The U105 Baldwin locomotive is based on a Roundhouse model (I think) and the turntable is by Fleischmann. The next photo is from Ross Balderson's Sydney Central (N scale). The photo show the trams along Eddy Avenue, a common sight in 1958, the period in which the model typifies. The next three photos show generic NSW locations on typical exhibition-style layouts (plenty of colour and movement). In order, the layouts are Crestwood (HO), Nicholls Siding (HO), and South Creek (N scale). The last three photos are from the US-inspired Springfield Junction (HO) layout. I saw this layout previously at the Beecroft Exhibition a couple of months ago.This layout operates using NCE digital command control (DCC). Note the way in which the throttle sits when not in use on the layout.

As you are designing your model train layout, The model train tunnel is very necessary on most mountainous layouts. It's looking more realistic.

The track plan will be a smaller version of the one used for the Arkansas & Missouri series that was featured in the February 1999 of Model Railroader. The track plan is basically a shelf layout with larger areas on both ends for broad curves. Also it has provision for continuous running as well as a visible staging yard. The only problem I have with the track plan is that it doesn't have enough industries to switch for a layout its size. My version of this plan would most definitely have a lot more rail served industries on it. Name: Michigan South Central Scale: N (1:160) Size: 9' x 11' 10" Locale: South Central Michigan Era: Present Control: Dual cab Layout Height: 50" to 52" Layout Style: Along the wall shelf Benchwork: L-girder Track: Kato UniTrack Turnout minimum: No. 6 on the main, No. 4 in switching areas Minimum radius: 11 Maximum grade 2% Backdrop: Brush painted on vinyl flashing Track Plan 1.0 Track Plan 2.0 I wasn't really happy with the track arrangement in Homer. The short siding off the spur leading to Ambassador Metals didn't do it for me because it didn't serve any purpose. In this track plan, I moved the switch up the spur some so the inner track can serve the now called Amer Metal Container on this track plan. With the track arrangement like this it will make the industry easier to switch. Track Plan 3.0 This is what I will call Track Plan 3.0. I still wasn't happy with the long spur heading into Amer Metal Container. The track was running parallel to the tables edge so I corrected this on this track plan. I like the way the track flows into what is now Accurate Strip.

This On30 train layout is for the purpose of talking it to shows and hopefully spark enthusiasm for model railroading in future generations.

Of all the things to do in Barrington, there’s one event coming up tomorrow that I’m so excited to check out with our kids. The famous “Train Lady” of North Barrington is opening the fabulous train gardens on her 10-acre property to the public tomorrow, June 25th. It only happens once a year and this will be my first time getting a close-up look at one of Chicagoland’s most unique and special garden properties, right here in our own back yard. You have to see to believe the amount of work Train Lady, Elaine Silets, has put into her private

Here I am (on the left) with Dave Hikel and the rest of the subcontractors working on Jerry Zaret's O-gauge "Stillson River Railroa...

Check out 5 exceptional 3x6 n scale layouts including a mountain scene, river scene plus winter themed layouts to provide ideas for own 3x6 layout.

Trying to search for an idea for your model railroad layouts? Do you find it hard to progress with your railroad model on your own? Don’t worry! We will provide you with a short list of the best and ideal model train layouts that could help you create a foundation of your railroad project. These layouts […]

The layout consists of 389 feet of track and 259 trestles and encompasses three independent operating loops. A freight or passenger train runs on the lower outer loop while a train hauling cars filled with clay for the brick factory operates on the lower inner loop. The upper loop simultaneously carries a logging train taking logs to the lumber mill.

Here's a walk-through of top rated model railroad shelf layout plans that you can use for ideas when building your own model train layout.

4x6 layout - I bought a Bachman DCC starter set with EZ-track and bought some expansion packs . I setup a double 0val with cross overs.

HO scale train layout 6x4 - It was constructed using Peco code 100 set - track mainly to be able to shunt using #2 curves

This page is home to Model Railroader tracks plans as downloadable PDFs.

The track plan will be a smaller version of the one used for the Arkansas & Missouri series that was featured in the February 1999 of Model Railroader. The track plan is basically a shelf layout with larger areas on both ends for broad curves. Also it has provision for continuous running as well as a visible staging yard. The only problem I have with the track plan is that it doesn't have enough industries to switch for a layout its size. My version of this plan would most definitely have a lot more rail served industries on it. Name: Michigan South Central Scale: N (1:160) Size: 9' x 11' 10" Locale: South Central Michigan Era: Present Control: Dual cab Layout Height: 50" to 52" Layout Style: Along the wall shelf Benchwork: L-girder Track: Kato UniTrack Turnout minimum: No. 6 on the main, No. 4 in switching areas Minimum radius: 11 Maximum grade 2% Backdrop: Brush painted on vinyl flashing Track Plan 1.0 Track Plan 2.0 I wasn't really happy with the track arrangement in Homer. The short siding off the spur leading to Ambassador Metals didn't do it for me because it didn't serve any purpose. In this track plan, I moved the switch up the spur some so the inner track can serve the now called Amer Metal Container on this track plan. With the track arrangement like this it will make the industry easier to switch. Track Plan 3.0 This is what I will call Track Plan 3.0. I still wasn't happy with the long spur heading into Amer Metal Container. The track was running parallel to the tables edge so I corrected this on this track plan. I like the way the track flows into what is now Accurate Strip.

Here is one more outstanding N Scale model train layout. This is a beautifully built 3' X 5' N scale layout. This layout is designed so beautifully and looks extremely realistic.

Top O scale train layouts including 4x8, L-shaped and switching layouts. It also includes the world record O gauge layout.

Download this free PDF for a HO and N scale plan, a waterfront railroad layout, a small shelf Union Pacific inspired layout, and a three-in-one layout plan from Model Railroader.

Model Railroader is the world's largest magazine on model trains and model railroad layouts. We feature beginner and advanced help on all model railroading scales, including layout track plans, model railroad product reviews, model train news, and model railroad forums.

Model Railroader is the world's largest magazine on model trains and model railroad layouts. We feature beginner and advanced help on all model railroading scales, including layout track plans, model railroad product reviews, model train news, and model railroad forums.

Here's a walk-through of top rated model railroad shelf layout plans that you can use for ideas when building your own model train layout.