Don't miss the June 2026 issue of Model Railroader magazine! Eagle Point’s 7½” gauge railroad traverses the mountains of southern Tennessee. See what it takes to get these large scale models around the layout. It’s one of two layouts we’re featuring that you can visit as part of the 2026 NMRA convention in Chattanooga. Robert Bonham's N scale model railroad, the Phree Lanz & Phanta Zee Railroad, is a fictional take on the Western U.S. Featuring trains from the UP, SP, and DRG&W, inspiration comes from Robert's career in the trucking and logistics industry, being inspired by what he saw out his windshield. Nelson Moyer made HO scale drawings of the stock scale featured in this article from drawings and dimensions taken from Burlington Bulletin No. 25, redrawn by Model Railroader in the accompanying drawings. Because the scale house would obscure most of the scale, it is not necessary to model the scale box and platform in detail, though the construction steps and drawings to do so are provided. David Popp tells us how he modified the Walthers bridges for the 2026 MR East Troy Industrial Park project layout, and prepared the scenery for bridge abutments over a stream and a railroad line. Mont Switzer explains how to model a Monon head-end caboose using a Walthers U.S. Army troop kitchen car as a starting point. Details from Detail Associates, Evergreen Scale Models, Hi-Tech Details, Kadee, Tichy, and Utah Pacific combine with materials from Testors and Scalecoat to create an excellent model. Pelle Søeborg wanted a structure based on photos he took to the U.S. Using Rix Pikestuff building parts, Evergreen plastic, and Walthers detail parts. Dean Deis chooses a flatcar project for his first attempt at freight car scratchbuilding. His model of an SD&AE fishbelly flatcar might be the perfect first project for you as well. Materials include products from Evergreen Scale Models, A-Line, Detail Associates, Kadee, Owl Mountain Models, Tichy Train Group, Tamiya, Vallejo, Starbrand, and Yarmouth Model Works. And more!
