nmra – The Hills Line

Lafayette Street

May 28, 2021May 28, 2021 by James McNab, posted in Construction

"Nous voila, Lafayette" -Charles Stanton- By far, the scene that I was most proud of on my IAIS Grimes Line layout was the NW 86th and Swanson Boulevard intersection in Clive, Iowa. The combination of narrow benchwork and photo backdrops, punctuated by the Industrial Spur's stop-and-check crossing, made it an excellent introduction to the layout. Ultimately … Continue reading Lafayette Street

Curb Appeal, Part One

March 14, 2020March 14, 2020 by James McNab, posted in Construction

Roads and grade crossings on a model railroad are two things that every visitor to our layouts can quickly identify and relate with. That comes from the simple fact that we interact with roads on a regular and ongoing basis. On The Hills Line I've begun construction of US Highway 6, a major arterial road … Continue reading Curb Appeal, Part One