Model Railroader

The world’s most popular model railroading magazine publishes the information you need to build your own railroad. Get Model Railroader digital magazine subscription today for step-by-step how-to projects; great model train layouts; and realistic track plans. You'll also get reviews of the latest locomotives, rolling stock, and accessories in HO, N, O, and other scales, expert tips, and more!

Model Railroader

Compact layouts

An exercise in strategic planning • Chicago & North Western’s Alco Line provides an example of how to plan the right model railroad

Illinois Terminal’s Diesel Division • It was originally the IT’s Steam Division

Modeling UP’s Evanston Subdivision • Switching scales and locales but not railroads

Appalachian coal railroading in a spare room • This N scale railroad is built on hollow-core doors

Two scales, two decks, twice the fun • And your choice of standing or sitting

The curse of too much space • Concepts of a “dream layout” have changed

New Haven Railroad’s Valley Local • A quest to bring inspiring writing and photography to life

A new railroad at age 75 • A move to a quieter locale prompted a rebuild

Rutland’s Bellows Falls Subdivision • Books, magazine articles, and a visit to a tourist line led the way

An action-packed garage layout • This HO scale plan was inspired by the Van Dorn Street Yard in Alexandria, Va.

A fold-up garage layout • Building a second N scale railroad in Florida for the winter

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Forcing perspective by changing scales