How to host an open house of your garden railroad

boy walking down sidewalk

Sharing our railroads with others is perhaps one of the most rewarding aspects of garden railroading. Andy, age three, knows the way, even without the sign. Kevin Strong If a train is running, kids will follow it. Here, a K-27 leads a parade of young future railroaders around the yard. At least they’ll sleep well. […]

Read More…

Golden Spike Day on the Westie Line

westie_line

The Westie Line today Ken Brody Ken Brody The Summer 2019 issue of Garden Railways features the Westie Line. Don’t miss the six-page feature on this gorgeous line! Owner Ken Brody shared these photographs from 1994, when he re-created a Golden Spike event on his line: These two photos were taken 25 years ago during […]

Read More…

Making movies without a video camera

A camera pointing out an outdoor layout

GoPro cameras, cell-phone cameras, and video-capable DSLR cameras are everywhere. This column will review a dozen examples of video technique from my “Video 101” workshop, presented at the National Garden Railway Convention. Columns will include suggestions, with photographic links to a short demonstration videos of some Bay Area railroads. I recently saw a man filming […]

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…