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.

There have been numerous advances in N scale railroading since the first edition of this book, and the author addresses them all, from track to train control. He takes beginners through step-by-step chapters that show them how to build and operate a complete N scale 4 x 8-foot railroad based on his Androscoggin Central, an interesting and challenging New England railroad. From planning through bringing the layout to life, everything is covered. The book is also beneficial for experienced modelers looking to build a new N scale empire.

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!

Includes specific pointers on shelf layouts. Uses examples for N scale, HO scale, and ON30 scale trains. Covers a variety of scales, modeling eras, and room applications.

"A full color encyclopedia that starts with a description of the model railroad hobby, ending with descriptions of full scale models. It examines the various scales, gauges, and all of the equipment and landscape that can be involved. This even involves many tips from model railroad builders currently involved in this fascinating hobby"--Amazon.

Model Railroader's managing editor David Popp tells the complete construction story of his N scale Naugatuck River Valley layout using techniques any model railroader can use! More than 30 short projects from building benchwork to realistic operation.

"Whether you're using traditional, direct current (DC) cab control or the latest Digital Command Control (DCC) system [this] will guide you through the steps of planning and wiring a layout. With ... more modelers choosing DCC, this book will help demystify how it works; clarify the advantages of DCC and what makes it different from DC control; and, teach you how to convert an existing DC layout to DCC. Step-by-step instructions and photos are coupled with clear, color-coded diagrams that will guide you through the process of wiring a complete layout or just troubleshooting problem areas"--