Capture the flavor of a real railroad without getting sidetracked by detail. Using Tony Koester's expert advice before and during construction of a layout, you'll sharpen your focus, saving time, money, and even space.

Covers freight and passenger operations, route design, and contemporary railroading operations. The step-by-step design techniques and operation-oriented track plans also make it easy to create your own realistic model railroad.

Capture the flavor of a real railroad without getting sidetracked by detail. Using Tony Koester's expert advice before and during construction of a layout, you'll sharpen your focus, saving time, money, and even space.

Model railroading offers the exciting opportunity to be approached in the same way as any other branch of the art world. As such, the same principles can be applied to elevate your modeling efforts to new levels. Follow along as we delve into scene composition, color treatment theory, weathering, backdrops, layout room preparation, photography, and more!

This inspirational book of ideas and concepts comes from well-known author and Model Railroader contributing editor Tony Koester. Featuring 15 popular columns from his Trains of Thought column, Tony walks you through all facets of looking at prototype railroads for guidance and information on modeling scenic details and operations. Applying Lessons From the Prototype is perfect for modelers looking to design and build a new layout, or those who just want to take their existing layout to the next level by incorporating features of a specific prototype railroad. This all-new 112-page book covers a wide variety of subjects including: Layout design Track planning Realistic operation Scenery and structures

Design a freelanced or prototype-based model railroad by selecting a time period, modeling geography, creating a roster, using graphics, and following paint schemes.