Telegrapher at Wilbur

npsosuperiordepotint

Although author Dinsmore’s territory was some 1,500 miles to the west, this 1966 scene inside Northern Pacific’s depot in South Superior, Wis., would be familiar to him. William D. Middleton When I picked up Classic Trains’ Summer 2008 issue, the cover blurb about the “Kid Telegrapher on NP’s Idaho Division” caught my eye. I searched out the […]

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Night train on the Minneapolis Northern

A Santa Fe passenger train running along side a Minneapolis Northern freight train

Name: Todd Hein Railroad Name: Minneapolis Northern Location: Crystal, Minnesota Scale: O Theme: Freelance railroad running Marx Trains Description: A Santa Fe passenger train running along side a Minneapolis Northern freight train. The Minneapolis Northern locomotive is a Marx Commodore Vanderbilt that has been modified to hld a Marx double reduction motor with a smoke […]

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Night train on the Minneapolis Northern

A Santa Fe passenger train running along side a Minneapolis Northern freight train

Name: Todd Hein Railroad Name: Minneapolis Northern Location: Crystal, Minnesota Scale: O Theme: Freelance railroad running Marx Trains Description: A Santa Fe passenger train running along side a Minneapolis Northern freight train. The Minneapolis Northern locomotive is a Marx Commodore Vanderbilt that has been modified to hld a Marx double reduction motor with a smoke […]

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PDF: Build the Arnold S. tugboat

Build the Arnold S. tugboat

Download the plan to build a 1:24-scale tugboat. Part 1 Part 2 Note: This PDF is formatted to print on your home printer. Most pieces are formatted to fit on a 8.5″ x 11″ piece of paper. For larger parts of the plan, you will see “break lines.” Line up the break lines to create […]

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Mountain railroading

Neal Mayer mountain themed layout

Name: Robert Mayer Railroad Name: Robert Mayer Location: Colorado Scale: 3 Rail O Theme: Mountain railroading Description: This layout is being built by Jim Guy. The scenery, track plan and lighting make it a joy to photograph. I can’t wait until it’s completed. […]

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Mountain railroading

Neal Mayer mountain themed layout

Name: Robert Mayer Railroad Name: Robert Mayer Location: Colorado Scale: 3 Rail O Theme: Mountain railroading Description: This layout is being built by Jim Guy. The scenery, track plan and lighting make it a joy to photograph. I can’t wait until it’s completed. […]

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The run-around

  CSX Transportation local D743 heads north into Deshler, Ohio, to run around its train and head back south to Lima on Feb. 18, 2018. Photo by Joe Kohnen […]

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Modeling mines and quarries

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Photo 1 Mining means accessing Earth’s layers. Splitting slate exposes unusual fossil-faced stone. Taller flagstone hides structural elevated-roadbed posts. Shorter stone risers step up scenery to a higher mountain area. Slate cars wait to be winched up the 22% incline, held together by fines and concrete-bonding adhesive. The author’s Agriculture & Gravel Elevated also quarries […]

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Build a sugar industry caboose

caboose_plans

Thomas A. Yorke Thomas Yorke presents the third of three scratchbuilt projects in the August 2018 issue. Download these full-size drawings of his caboose and follow his instructions in the magazine. You will also need the basic flatcar drawings from the April 2018 issue for this project. Note: This drawing is broken into two pieces. […]

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Improve your garden’s success rate: Part 2

improve_success21

Photo 1 The author’s Hoot ’n’ Holler Railroad in the early stage of transplanting shrubs into amended and prepared soil. The upper-level track is mostly in place and being used, while the lower-level track has yet to be laid. Don Parker Photo 2 The middle of the tiny, white-edged lady’s mantle (Alchemilla faeroensis ‘Pumila’, Zones […]

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Lip fern

lip_fern

Nancy Norris Common name: Lip fern, Silver cloak fern Latin name: Cheilanthes argentea Plant type: Perennial USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-9 Cultural needs: Sun to part shade; well drained, slightly acidic, poor soil Plant size: 6″ high and wide The perfect dwarf fern for railway gardens elevated on rocks is the lip fern. Able to withstand […]

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