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To view a document, click on the link in the Title column on the left of the table. Overview and reference documents are listed at the top of the table, the N-Circle Update Reports are then listed below them, from oldest at the top to newest at the bottom, so be sure to scan the whole list to see the latest projects!

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Title and LinkMedia TypeDateDescription
Detailed Table of Contents for the N-Circle Railroad SeriesDocumentUpdated 2/27/2026An ongoing series of articles describing the development of a small home layout and covering many topics of N-Scale model railroading. This document provides more detail about the kits built and topics of the Update reports listed below.
Overview of the N-Circle Railroad SeriesDocumentUpdated 3/2/2026Overview of the history, plans and objectives of the development of the N-Circle Railroad layout.
Layout Diagram and Scenery PlanDocumentUpdated 1/26/2026Track plan and scenery diagram for the N-Circle Railroad layout.
Overview PhotosDocumentUpdated 1/27/2026A series of photographs showing the N-Circle Railroad layout.
Index of Structure and Scenery Kits BuiltSpreadsheetUpdated 2/27/2026Reference list of the structures and scenery details kits built and discussed in the N-Circle Update reports
Index of Vehicles Kits BuiltSpreadsheetUpdated 7/17/2025Reference list of the vehicles kits built and discussed in the N-Circle Update reports
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Initial ReleaseDocumentDistributed 1/23/2020 Introducing the development of the new N-Circle Railroad layout built to the T-Trak modular standard. Some of this information is now repeated in the “Overview of the N-Circle Railroad Series” document.
Update 1 – Re-IntroductionsDocumentDistributed 8/13/2020Progress in the development of the new N-Circle Railroad layout, again much of which is now repeated in the “Overview of the N-Circle Railroad Series” document.
Update 2 – Power Point Scenery DetailsDocumentDistributed 8/15/2020Details about creating scenery panels for streets and parking areas using Power Point.
Update 3 – Throwback to the 1950sDocumentDistributed 9/10/2020Operating Central Vermont steam trains. Updates of multiple scenes on the layout. Kit-bashing an extended freight terminal from two Model Power “Modern Truck Depot” plastic kits. Detailing a Con-Cor log truck.
Update 4 – Focus on Backdrops and ScenesDocumentDistributed 9/25/2020Creating a moveable scenery backdrop panel for photo shoots of the layout. Upgrading a Micro Engineering “Murphy Manufacturing” structure. Updates of multiple scenes on the layout.
Update 5 – Backdrops Discussion and Named Passenger TrainsDocumentDistributed 12/23/2020Creating easy backdrop panels from Power Point prints. Santa Fe “Chief” and Southern Pacific “Daylight” passenger trains for southern operations.
Update 6 – Discussion of Changeable Scenery and Workspace Venting ProjectDocumentDistributed 3/8/2021Building a fan panel for venting light gluing and painting fumes through a sliding door. Building and detailing a Heljan “Freight House” plastic kit. Personalizing a freight transfer terminal for different time periods.
Update 7 – Constructing and Upgrading Building Kits Using Interchangeable SignsDocumentDistributed 4/7/2021Building and detailing the Piko “Forwarding Office” and Life-Like “Volunteer Fire Co.” and “Police Station” plastic kits and the Heljan “Furniture Factory” plastic kit. Creating personalized interchangeable signs for using these building in different time period and region scenes.
Update 8 – Re-purposing Low-End Plastic Building Kits to Create Distinctive StructuresDocumentDistributed 8/14/2021Building and detailing a Wayne Feeds grain mill by re-purposing a Life-Like “Rapid Recycling Center” plastic kit. Adding grain bins and elevator from the Rix Products “Gutherie Grain” plastic kit. Repurposing the Model Power “Fire House” plastic kit as a restaurant.
Update 9 – Three Very Different Plastic Structure Kit Builds and Interchangeable Gondola Car LoadsDocumentDistributed 10/2/2021Building and detailing the “Suburban Passenger Station” plastic kit from Atlas, the “American Farm House” snap-together plastic kit from AHM and kit-bashing a grain unloading shed for the grain mill from the plastic Pikestuff “Atkinson Engine Facility” kit. Building removable pipe loads for different length gondola rail cars.
Update 10 – Easy, Inexpensive Building Interiors and Building a Mini-Golf CourseDocumentDistributed 10/25/2021Building three plastic suburban home kits from Model Power and adding simple interiors. Also the “Dew Drop Inn” plastic kit from Woodland Scenics and adding interior wall details using photos captured from the Web. And building and detailing a mini-golf plastic kit from Merten.
Update 11 – Building a Fuel Depot from Four Kits and Modifying an Existing StructureDocumentDistributed 12/2/2021Building and detailing a fuel depot scene using three plastic kits from Con-Cor and fuel tanks from Walthers. Building and detailing three pewter metal truck kits from Showcase Minatures for the depot. Modifying a European restrooms building for use in America.
Update 12 – Building and Detailing Shell Gas Station Scenes and Multiple Types of Vehicles KitsDocumentDistributed 1/30/2022Building and detailing the City Classics “Crafton Avenue Service Station” kit for a 1950s Shell station and a Walthers Cornerstone “Al’s Victory Service Station” kit for a 1980s Shell station. Building Shell trucks from GHQ, C&C Minatures and Showcase Minatures pewter metal kits. Building plastic resin vehicle kits from NuComp Minatures. Updated gas station and school scenes on the layout. Kit-bashing a Wiking grain truck with parts left over from other kits.
Update 13 – Building New Restrooms for the Park, 1950s School Buses and 1980s Grain TrucksDocumentDistributed 9/5/2022Kit-bashing and detailing a plastic restrooms kit from Green Max. Finishing 3-D printed plastic grain trucks and a GHQ pewter metal grain semi-trailer and Wheel Works plastic van semi-trailers. Building school bus kits from Bruce Richardson’s Cars. Making re-usable jigs to mask vehicle wheels when clear-coating the bodies.
Update 14 – Building and Updating Pewter Metal Vehicle Kits Across a Range of ComplexitiesDocumentDistributed 10/8/2022Building and painting pewter metal vehicle kits from GHQ, Showcase Minatures and C-in-C Minatures. Upgrading the details on a fire truck and school buses.
Update 15 – Building a Bowling Alley and Building and Detailing Vehicle Resin KitsDocumentDistributed 10/31/2022Building and detailing a bowling alley from a plastic commercial building kit from Wirl Wind. Building and painting plastic resin vehicle kits from Road Apples, Fine N-Scale Products, Bruce Richardson’s Cars, Garrick Gilhan’s and NuComp Minatures.
Update 16 – Creating Custom Decals, Painting a 3-D Printed Structure and Building Thin Metal Detail Parts KitsDocumentDistributed 12/26/2022Creating custom decals with a home printer and decal paper. Building thin-metal scenery detail kits from Gold Medal Models.
Update 17 – Building and Detailing More Vehicle KitsDocumentDistributed 11/14/2023Building and painting plastic resin vehicle kits from Cars N-Scale, Hagen N Scale, Garrick Gilhan’s and Magnuson Models and metal vehicles from Johnny Lightning and a few 3-D printed plastic vehicles.
Update 18 – Building and Detailing More Vehicle KitsDocumentDistributed 10/31/2024Building and painting plastic resin vehicle kits from Ultimate N-Scale, California Freight & Detail Company, Cars N-Scale and Road Apples. Kit-bashing a 3-D printed semi-truck and trucks from Classic Metal Works. Finishing more 3-D printed trucks.
Update 19 – Building and Detailing More Vehicle KitsDocumentDistributed 11/9/2024Building and painting more 3-D printed plastic vehicles and pewter metal kits from GHQ and C-in-C Minatures. Then a plastic resin dump truck kit and detail painting plastic “Ready-to-Run” cars.
Update 20 – Building and Detailing More Vehicle KitsDocumentDistributed 11/22/2024Building and painting more plastic resin and 3-D printed trucks and putting them to use in a construction “micro-scene.”
Update 21 – Building a Yard Signal Tower and More Vehicles KitsDocumentDistributed 4/30/2025Building the plastic Atlas “Signal Tower” kit and finishing more plastic resin vehicles kits from Bruce Richardson’s Cars.
Update 22 – Designing a New Power Point Scenery Panel and Installing New BackdropsDocumentDistributed 6/3/2025 Creating a Power Point scenery panel for a track-side parking area for the grain mill and adding newly purchased scenic backdrops to the end panels.
Update 23 – Building Laser-Cut Chicken Coop and Maple Sugar House KitsDocumentDistributed 6/6/2025Building the “Chicken Coop” laser-cut cardboard kit from Noch and the “Maple Sugar House” laser-cut wood kit from N-Scale Architect.
Update 24 – Building a Laser-Cut Wood Barn KitDocumentDistributed 6/7/2025Building the “Country Barn” laser-cut wood kit from American Model Builders.
Update 25 – Building a Craftsman-Level Laser-Cut Wood Theater KitDocumentDistributed 7/17/2025Building the “Majestic Theater” laser-cut wood kit from Laser-Art Structures.
Update 26 – Building a Laser-Cut Wood Church Kit and a 3-D Printed HouseDocumentDistributed 7/25/2025Building the “Old South Church” laser-cut wood kit from Northeastern Scale Models and adding stained-glass windows and interior, and finishing a 3-D printed plastic house kit.
Update 27 – Building Laser-Cut Wood Doghouses and Garages KitsDocumentDistributed 8/16/2025Building laser-cut wood doghouse kits from GC Laser and garages from RS Laser, Blair Line and Atlas.
Update 28 – Building a Fast Food Restaurants T-Trak ModuleDocumentDistributed 10/23/2025Adding scenery to a 1x T-Trak module using 3-D printed fast food restaurant kits.
Update 29 – Building a Rural Farm T-Trak ModuleDocumentDistributed 11/20/2025Adding scenery to an Inner Corner T-Trak module using a Gloor-Craft Models “Country Barn” wood kit and 3-D printed structures.
Update 30 – Building Laser-Cut Wood Rail Yard Buildings KitsDocumentDistributed 1/16/2026Building three laser-cut wood railyard building kits from JL Innovative Design.
Update 31 – Building More Laser-Cut Wood Rail Yard Buildings KitsDocumentDistributed 2/27/2026Building three laser-cut wood railyard building kits from American Model Builders.