Project plans: Build a crossing guard’s shanty

Crossingguardshantyplans

Click on the image to download the plans. Before the invention of automatic crossing gates, railroad crossing guards protected grade crossings. Usually holding a flag, lantern, or stop sign or operating a manual crossing gate, the crossing guard would warn motorists of an approaching train. A simple wooden shanty provided shelter for the crossing guard. […]

Read More…

How to model a greenhouse in your railroad garden

greenhouse1

1. Working late. Lake Phillips’ traveling terrarium was commissioned by the author for her 7/8″-scale agricultural railway. The greenhouse element is a Tumdee (see “Sources” sidebar) kit, glued and pin-nailed onto a scratchbuilt flatcar, including custom LED lighting. Air plants (Tillandsia sp., Zones 9-11) inside and in the boxes bring it to life. When not […]

Read More…

Scale figures from Fun & Games

figures1

1:20.3-scale figures Fun & Games PO Box 243 Jefferson City MO 65102 Price: $12 each Website: http://scalefigures.com Scale figures from the early 20th century; each available in two color schemes; several poses available; each figure fully painted and detailed Pros: Wide selection of poses; different classes (i.e., blue collar, white collar); neatly painted in authentic […]

Read More…

Vilas County Lumber Company platform wagon drawings

drawings1

Platform-wagon plan sets in 1:24 and 1:13.7 scales Vilas County Lumber Company 12306 Lakeview Trail Homer Glen IL 60491 Prices: 1:24, $12; 1:13.7, $14 Website: www.VCLCo.com Comprehensive plan set for the construction of a station-platform baggage wagon; six 91/2″ x 13″ pages and seven (1:24) or nine (1:13.7) 13″ x 19″ pages; spiral bound; printed […]

Read More…

Early catalogues from the Baldwin Locomotive Works

1Catalogue_covers

Here are some additional interesting details from three early Baldwin catalogues in my collection, plus some more info about the facsimile I made of the rare and elusive 1885 Illustrated Catalogue of Narrow-Gauge Locomotives. Note: Click on any of the images to enlarge. The covers of three early catalogues from Baldwin Locomotive Works. The large […]

Read More…

Early catalogues from the Baldwin Locomotive Works

1Catalogue_covers

Here are some additional interesting details from three early Baldwin catalogues in my collection, plus some more info about the facsimile I made of the rare and elusive 1885 Illustrated Catalogue of Narrow-Gauge Locomotives. Note: Click on any of the images to enlarge. The covers of three early catalogues from Baldwin Locomotive Works. The large […]

Read More…

New toy train products from the February 2016 issue

menards_power

BE A POWER KING: The latest structure from Menards is the no. 279-3051 Menards Power & Light building. The O gauge compatible building has two illuminated signs (“Menards Power & Light” and “Harvey Hotwatts”), interior decoration, and LED illumination. The structure comes fully assembled and decorated and costs $99.99 plus shipping (free shipping to your […]

Read More…