Modular Model Railroads

The following is a collection of links and how-to articles that may be useful when building sectional, modular or portable layouts:

DCC University and Realistic Scenery clinics from Joe Fugate’s forums

Schedule of Model Railroad Shows – Little Toy Trains

Ten Commandments of Model Railroad Yard Design – Houstonic RR

Make Your Own Homasote Roadbed – Houstonic RR

Backdrop Painting with Artists Oils – Houstonic RR Read the rest of this entry »

The Four County Society of Model Engineers (“FCSME.org“)modular club was started in 1975 and is located in Central Maryland.  FCSME uses module specification that is “backward” compatible with the NMRA standards.  The FCSME module standards are available on CD for $10.  The FCSME website also features extensive photo galleries of past shows and layouts. Read the rest of this entry »

There are many types of foam used by modelers in constructing model railroad scenery, layouts and baseboards. 

• Extruded polystyrene is pink if Corning or blue if Dow. 
• Expanded polystyrene a white foam board made up of small beads.
• Spray Polyurethane is available in disposable spray cans and as two part liquid.
• Foam rubber can be used for foam rocks or scenicing materials.

When selecting a material for building, the modeler should give careful consideration to the flamability of the product.  Read the rest of this entry »

The following is a list of items that are useful to have around when modelling:

• Liquid Electrical Tape
• Steak or filleting knife for carving foam
• Flat metal measuring stick for setting module rail height at shows.
• Insided out clothes pins for clamps
• Tubes of artist acrylic paints for painting or stain Read the rest of this entry »

Note: Harold is building a new layout and has indicated on forums that he will be taking down the old site.  If you are interested in this information, please visit the site and make pdfs of the information before it is gone.

The Pacific Coast Airline Railway (“PCAR”) is Harold Minkwitz’s narrow gauge, 1870’s California railroad modelled in Sn3.5, the British Imperial gauge.  The current layout is a 4×8 foot built to test and serve as a “proof of concept” for techniques to be used in the future construction of a basement filling layout.  The 4 x 8 ft. layout is constructioned in halves, or sectional so that it may be easily moved from the basement.  There is also a page showing how a 4×8 layout can be integrated in to a 10 x 11 ft. room.  The PCAR website also has PhotoAlbum1 and PhotoAlbum2.

 Of interest to module-makers are the large number of tutorials covering a variety of scenery making techniques.  Read the rest of this entry »

Paul Templar is a U.K. modeller well known for his exhibition quality, narrow gauge, U.S. themed logging/mining layouts. Paul’s last HO scale layout was Red Fox Lumber in about 2003.  Since then, Mr. Templar has focused his attention on building On30 scale layouts.  Photo galleries of the earlier Cooncreek and Tumbleweed Springs and the current layout, the Badger Creek Lumber Co. are both available on the internet. Read the rest of this entry »

There is quite a bit of information available on the internet about modular and sectional model railroading.  Much of the information, especially about lightweight modules, is English.  Hobbyists in Great Britain (and New Zealand, Austrailia) use slightly different terms.  Below is a partial list of US terms and their British equivalent that should be helpful in google searches. Read the rest of this entry »