Category Description: Model railroading track.
A Beginner Again
Model Railroader 2002-09 pg. 108 Scale: (none) Author: Tony Koester
Photo of closure and wing rails with manganese-insert frog.
A Model for All Scenes
Model Railroading 2001-09 pg. 60 Scale: Author: Margaret Mansfield
Studying prototype track to help design your model railroad track. Includes several prototype track photos.
A Tortoise Switch Machine for Crossovers
Railroad Model Craftsman 2010-02 pg. 64 Scale: Author: Trevor Lloyd-Lee
This article describes the mechanical parts needed to be able to control the two turnouts of a crossover using only one Tortoise.
Add a RIP Track For Running Repairs
Model Railroader 2006-02 pg. 74 Scale: (none) Author: Dan Munson
Covers the repair-in-place track and all the typical details one would find around such a track. There are notes on how to introduce "bad order" cars into an operating session.
An Easy Tortoise Soup Up
N Scale Railroading 2003-11/12 pg. 41 Scale: (none) Author: Keith Thompson
The author describes how he uses half of a Simpson StrongTie LTP-4 bracket to more easily attach a Tortoise machine to the underside of the layout. Also covers how he lines up the throwbar and pre-wires the Tortoise switch machine.
Atlas Code 55: Great Looks, Greate DCC Performance, Low Cost, and Quick Installation
N Scale Railroading 2003-07/08 pg. 44 Scale: N Author: Mark Bridgewater
Discusses the plus and minus of the new Atlas code 55 track. The author shows and discusses many photos of how the track was installed on one of his new yards. A portion of the article describes the "Warner Linkages", a method of manually controlling turnouts from the edge of the layout, while still providing the right polarity to the turnout's frog.
Bachmann's New DCC-On-Board Switches Prompt Layout Overhaul
Model Railroad News 2008-12 pg. 78 Scale: HO Author: John Sipple
The track reviewed is the gray-roadbed, nickel-silver roadbed molded-in. The author shows how to wire a crossover and build a simple layout.
Ballast: The Finishing Touch
Model Railroader 2000-03 pg. 102 Scale: (none) Author: Paul J. Dolkos
Ballast on Boston & Maine RR prototype. Preparation, ballast, and painting.
Bending the Iron
Model Railroader 2006-02 pg. 46 Scale: (none) Author: Tony Koester
This article describes some of the ways that people control turnouts. It includes how to model ground throws, various switch machines, and how to install Circuitron's Tortoise machines.
Bending the Iron
Railroad Model Craftsman 2002-02 pg. 68 Scale: Author: Trevor Marshall
To simulate the action of throwing a turnout, the author uses keys and switch locks to throw his layout's turnouts. Some modification of the switch lock is required and fully described.
Bill Pearce on Ballast
N Scale Railroading 2004-09/10 pg. 42 Scale: N Author: Bill Pearce
Creating layers of ballast. Lots of prototype photos.
Build A Car Float
O Scale Trains Magazine 02 May 2002 pg. 15 Scale: O Author: Neville Rossiter
This article builds on the float bridge from the last issue. Construction details and photos accompany this article of a car float that can hold 10 cars.
Build N-scale Switch Stands
Model Railroader 2005-04 pg. 53 Scale: N Author: Olaf Melhouse
The author describes how he built tall switch stands to fit the Peco turnouts.
Build Your Own Switch Machines
Model Railroader 1978-08 pg. 92 Scale: Author: Melvin R. Thacher
The author shows how he builds his own twin-coil switch machines.
Build a Scale Track
Model Railroader 2002-09 pg. 68 Scale: (none) Author: Bill Darnaby
Using two set of points to divert the track to a scale. Includes diagram, construction and prototype photos.
Building a Double Slip-Switch Part 2
Model Railroading 2005-07 pg. 48 Scale: HO Author: Jim Mansfield
Laying the outer rails and some of the frogs.
Building a Double Slip-Switch Part 4
Model Railroading 2005-11 pg. 34 Scale: HO Author: Jim Mansfield
This installment covers the throw bar design, the inner point design, and the outer frog guard rail design. Includes many close-up photos.
Clean Track, Clean Wheels
Model Railroader 1985-11 pg. 96 Scale: (none) Author: Martin C. Oetting
This article is nice review of all the methods we can employ to keep our track and models' wheels clean. It covers the reason for dirty track, using liquid and abrasive track cleaners, and cleaning locomotive and car wheels.
Concrete Bumping Blocks
Railroad Model Craftsman 1972-06 pg. 40 Scale: (none) Author: Chuck Yungkurth
Using wooden blocks, these DL&W concrete bumping blocks are easy to model. Prototype and model photos, as well as scale drawings are included.
Designing and Modeling PRR Track
The Keystone Modeler 75 Autumn 2010 pg. 24 Scale: HO Author: Todd Sullivan
This article describes PRR tie spacing track standards, track center spacing, and how to model those standards. It is also a good general article on how to lay track (flex track). Also covers ballasting, painting, and detailing the track.
Eclectric Track System
N Scale Railroading 2003-11/12 pg. 45 Scale: N Author: Michael Pagano
The author combines code 60 rail with the Atlas code 55 flextrack to provide more-or-less realistic-looking track while still providing support for the "pizza-cutter" deep-flanged wheels.
Engineering Department
1:64 Modeling Guide 2008 Fall pg. 12 Scale: Author: Dick Karnes
This column continues the discussion of how to wire a turnout.
Getting to Know AMI Instant Roadbed
N-Scale 2006-05/06 pg. 61 Scale: (none) Author: Dennis Murphy
Using this material to lay track.
Grade Crossing
1:64 Modeling Guide 2009 Fall pg. 10 Scale: S Author: Dick Karnes
Dick shows how he used two different commercial and one scratchbuilt methods to building grade crossings.
Hinged Magnetic Uncouplers
Model Railroader 2000-02 pg. 107 Scale: HO Author: Jim Smith
Improving Scale Shops Switch Machines
Model Railroading 2001-09 pg. 30 Scale: Author: Jeff Scherb
The author designed a circuit that allows for three electronic switches to be triggered by the changing position of the switch machine. Includes PC design, hook-up diagram, schematic, and parts list.
Installing a Working Three-position Semaphore
Railroad Model Craftsman 2011-09 pg. 60 Scale: HO Author: Don Fiehmann
Using Tomar Industries Upper Quadrant semaphores and Tortoise, the author describes how he installed them and had them working, using simple electronics, to detect train presence.
Keep Them Running
Railroad Model Craftsman 1991-07 pg. 80 Scale: Author: Jack Burgess
This article covers keeping wheels and track cleaning, building a track cleaning car, and preventing dust as best as possible.
Laying Flextrack on Curves
Model Railroader 2000-02 pg. 129 Scale: (none) Author: Marty McGuirk
Laying Roadbed
Model Railroader 2002-09 pg. 105 Scale: (none) Author: Jeff Wilson
Using cork to layout roadbed.
Locating Uncoupler Magnets in a Yard
Model Railroader 2002-12 pg. 53 Scale: (none) Author: Jim Hediger
Where to locate electromagnet and permanent magnets.
Make Your Track Realistic
Model Railroader 2005-12 pg. 48 Scale: (none) Author: David Popp
This step-by-step article covers painting rails and ties, cleaning rail, painting the scenery base, adding ballast, final clean-up and weathering
Model a Team Track
Railroad Model Craftsman 1991-04 pg. 68 Scale: HO Author: Philip V. Chiavetta
This construction how-to article not only describes the purpose and history of a team track but also how to build one (including a turnout in mostly covered track. Includes a side bar on how to protect signals and telephone poles on the layout using a counterweight system.
N Scale Track
N Scale Railroading 2003-11/12 pg. 62 Scale: (none) Author: Michael Pagano
The author of the other track article in this issue continues his discussion of his philosophy about the state of N-scale track.
Newark Wye: A Prototype Planning Seminar
Railroad Model Craftsman 2006-07 pg. 88 Scale: (none) Author: Jim Providenza
By researching the prototype the author came up with a trackplan modeling this wye. Includes many prototype photos, track plan ideas, and the final track plan.
Other Double-Switches
Model Railroading 2006-02 pg. 34 Scale: HO Author: Jim Mansfield
Other track configurations that accomplish the same thing as a double-switch, but they do take up more space.
Painting Track
Model Railroader 2002-10 pg. 104 Scale: (none) Author: Lionel Strang
Peek-At Track
N Scale Railroading 2002-11/12 pg. 56 Scale: (none) Author: Michael Pagano
New Atlas track issues.
Poor Man's Turnout Control
Railroad Model Craftsman 1994-01 pg. 86 Scale: Author: Rich Chrysler
Using a choke cable to manually control a turnout. Includes a how-to diagram.
R/C Servos for Model Railroading
Model Railroad Hobbyist 2009 July pg. 29 Scale: Author: Duncan McRee
How to use, install, and control radio-control servos for throwing turnouts. Circuit boards are available to control these servos, and they can be used with DC or DCC controlled layouts. There is a side bar on resources for microprocessors needed to drive the servos, and a side bar on how servos work.
Rail Supports: Modeling from the Prototype
Railroad Model Craftsman 2006-09 pg. 58 Scale: (none) Author: Jack Burgess
These track-side details provide a good example of mainline repair crew activity. A scale drawing, as well as model and prototype photos are shown for these stands that hold two pieces of rail.
Realistic Telegraph Poles
Railroad Model Craftsman 2010-06 pg. 53 Scale: HO Author: David J. Leider
Using Rix green-tinted plastic crossarms, the author shows how he scratchbuilt telegraph poles. Includes the jig used, construction photos, and a prototype photo.
S Tracks
NASG Dispatch 2009-02 pg. 12 Scale: S Author: Sam Powell
This article describes grade crossings and ideas for how to model them.
Safetran Highway Crossing Gates
Model Railroader 1987-11 pg. 79 Scale: (none) Author: Gordon Odegard
A description of how the modern-day highway crossing gates work. Includes prototype photos and scale drawings.
Scratchbuild a Semaphore
Model Railroader 2003-03 pg. 86 Scale: HO Author: Jeff Scherb
The author describes the basics of a semaphore, how we can build one, and how to make it operational using a Circuitron Tortoise. Both HO- and O-scale are discussed.
Slip Switches
Model Railroader 2003-02 pg. 49 Scale: (none) Author: Jim Hediger
Shows and answers the difference between a single and double-slip turnout.
Sn3, HOn2½, Nn3: Breaking the Code
Model Railroader 2003-05 pg. 74 Scale: (none) Author: George Sebastian-Coleman
Definitions of narrow gauge railroading.
Soo Line Standard Switch Stands
N-Scale 2006-07/08 pg. 44 Scale: (none) Author: (none)
Prototype drawings of the "star" switch stand and the "banner" switch stand.
Straight & Narrow
NASG Dispatch 2010-02 pg. 20 Scale: S Author: David Heine
Using N-scale track to model an Sn22 tramway.
Switch Control Linkage
Model Railroading 2006-01 pg. 34 Scale: HO Author: Jim Mansfield
The author describes how he constructs his turnout linkage mechanism for both manual and power operations.
The Art of Finescale
O Scale Trains Magazine 32 May 2007 pg. 16 Scale: O Author: Michael Cougill
How to install feeder wires to track without them being visible later on.
The Art of Finescale
O Scale Trains Magazine 33 July 2007 pg. 12 Scale: Author: Michael Cougill
The author describes how he built secondary track spur which is lower than the main line track.
The Monson Village Turntable in HOn30
Narrow Gauge And Short Line Gazette 2007-01/02 pg. 26 Scale: HOn30 Author: Ken Lunders
The author describes how he scratchbuilt this 2-foot gauge, short turntable. It includes prototype photos, scale drawings, and many detail construction photos.
The Scenery Clinic Part X
Railroad Model Craftsman 2010-11 pg. 54 Scale: Author: Paul Scoles
Paul discusses how he attaches track feeder wires under the rail so that they are no visible when the track is installed on the layout.
The Team Track
Railroad Model Craftsman 2003-03 pg. 52 Scale: (none) Author: Jim Boyd
Observations about the team track.
The Ultimate Uncoupler
Model Railroader 2000-01 pg. 109 Scale: (none) Author: Billy Wayne Moore
Build a hidden electromagnetic uncoupler
The Workshop
O Scale Trains Magazine 33 July 2007 pg. 31 Scale: Author: Neville Rossiter
Turnout machines developed for his layout.
Threading the Needle
Model Railroader 2005-11 pg. 138 Scale: (none) Author: David Popp
Using a straw to guide track feeders through layers of insulation foam.
Tortoise Tips
Model Railroader 2000-02 pg. 104 Scale: (none) Author: Mike Dodd
Model aircraft push rods make installation quicker and easier.
Track Buyer's Guide Part 2
Model Railroader 2003-11 pg. 92 Scale: Author: Jim Hediger
This installment covers what kind of commercial track is available for N-, S-, and Z-scales.
Track Inspection
Model Railroader 1987-10 pg. 146 Scale: (none) Author: Jim Hediger
The author describes how track is inspected. The article includes several photos of modern-day track inspection vehicles (converted flat-bed or SUVs).
Track Planning in S Part VIII
NASG Dispatch 2011-02 pg. 22 Scale: S Author: Jeff Madden
Using two standard modules with some temporary track to be able to model an L-shaped switching layout.
Turning the Tables
Model Railroader 1978-11 pg. 130 Scale: HO Author: Eric Lundberg
The author describes how he retrofitted an Atlas turntable under his upper-level benchwork and built a turntable bridge.
Using a Double Slip-Switch, or Read All About It!
Model Railroading 2005-12 pg. 46 Scale: HO Author: Jim Mansfield
Lots of photos of the turnout set to various positions.
Variations on a Theme: Modifications to Boone Morrison's Homemade Turnout Control
Railroad Model Craftsman 2010-07 pg. 72 Scale: Author: Alan Mende
The author describes his modifications to Boone Morrison's article in the Narrow Gauge and Short Line Gazette's November/December 1997 issue. Article covers how to make a push-pull system and how he wired up two turnouts for a crossover.
What Does the Siding Do Anyway?
NMRA Bulletin 2002-07 pg. 31 Scale: (none) Author: John Ostler
Purpose of a siding. Prototype and modeling photos.
Wiring Track Neatly
N Scale Railroading 2004-09/10 pg. 20 Scale: N Author: Keith Lyons
Wiring track under the rail.