MR's "Railroads You Can Model" series/book

Model Railroader had a long-running series of articles called "Railroads You Can Model."  I think it started in the '70s.  Each installment was only a few pages and they covered everything from shortlines to busy mainlines.  This series was later compiled into a book by that name.

RMC has run similar articles over the years.  I think one of them covered New York's Arcade & Attica.  In the late '70s RMC and sister magazine "Railfan & Railroad" covered Idaho's Camas Prairie RR.

"CTC Board" and "Railpace" magazines were known to publish detailed articles on shortlines and towns that would be too long, page-wise, for mags like MR and RMC.

Several famous shortlines have had books written about them, such as the Maryland & Pennsylvania, aka the Ma & Pa.  

If you are interested in a particular city, perhaps Morning Sun Publications has covered it in their "Trackside Around...." series of books.

Scott Chatfield 

Modeling Switching Opportunities

Thank you, Scott, for taking the time to respond to my question.  EXACTLY what I was hoping to get.

With much appreciation!

Hilary Smith

Hilary…

…this will help you track down past articles. 

https://www.rrmagazineindex.org/

some other sources

First of all, the "A Railroad You Can Model" series actually began in a sister magazine of Model Railroader, named Model Trains. I believe MT was like an MR-light for newbies or young 'uns. MT was shut down circa 1960, but one of their most popular segments, ARRYCM started appearing in MR periodically. Kalmbach actually printed two volumes of material from both MR and MT under the ARRYCM name.

Don't overlook other sources. Paul Pietrak did a series of softcover books concerning railroads of northwestern Pa/southwestern NY  published in the 70's; his volumes on Coudersport & Port Allegheny/ New York & Penna and on the Pittsburg Shawmut & Northern railroads include track layouts at each station as well as termini and branches. Pietrak's stuff can be pricey, but lots of great information and photos.

Other books in the same vein include John Brinckmann's nice "Pemberton & Hightstown RR/Union Transportation" which also shows each station track layout; Ames Williams' "Chesapeake Beach RR" ditto; "History of the Stewartstown Railroad" by Baltimore Chapter, NRHS; quite a few of the Colorado RR Museum books also show track layouts.

Sanborn insurance maps show extensive track layouts of various locations over the  years. USGS historical maps do the same, although they don't label all the items on the map. Both of the last named are great for researching a particular region of the country you're interested in.