Large scale freight cars Betsy Ross 40-foot refrigerator car. Hook-and-loop couplers; separate, factory-applied brake wheel, running boards, and stirrup steps; and plastic wheels. $119.99. October 2021. American Traditions series. PIKO America, 619-280-2800, piko-america.com Christmas 2021 40-foot boxcar. Hook-and-loop couplers; separate, factory-applied brake wheel, running boards, and stirrup steps; and plastic wheelsets. Model will only be […]
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Thrift stores can hold a wealth of treasures for hobbyists, if you know where to look. I have suggestions of which departments to look for items for your garden railroad. I suggest going into a store with an open mind. For just a few dollars and a little paint, you might find something spectacular for […]
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LGB (Märklin), 1406 Creek Trail Dr, Jefferson City, MO 65109, is giving away an original James R. Mann watercolor of the Santa Fe Super Chief to celebrate the release of its Santa Fe A and B-units. The company is extending the raffle for the painting until Aug. 31, 2021. Mann’s painting will have the same […]
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“Projecting” signs have been part of the commercial landscape for years. In the early years of the 20th century, they often consisted of boards jutting out from the front of buildings with the business name on both sides. They’re also referred to as “blade” or “flag-mounted” signs. I wanted to model projecting signs in my […]
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Why build a garden railroad tunnel portal Thanks to the invasion of the Emerald Ash Borer, several large ash trees had died and their falling limbs caused problems for the Blackstone RR Maintenance Dept., so I called in a professional. When the worker saw my trains, he offered to leave a 10-foot high, 40” diameter […]
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Large scale freight cars Animated stockcar. Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe (horse transport); Chicago & North Western (horse transport); Denver & Rio Grande Western (cattle transport); and North Pole & Southern (reindeer transport). One road number per scheme. Four animated animal heads, blackened metal wheels, and truck-mounted knuckle couplers. Runs on 45mm track. $152. Big […]
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When I was young, I had an American Flyer train and a set of American Plastic Bricks (interlocking toy bricks made in the 1960s). I liked running the train, but I was particularly drawn to the bricks. I could easily build something, tear it down, and build something else. Years later, I built an […]
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Staff member Rene Schweitzer demonstrates ways to make sure your adhesives are always ready to use. This quick video will show you easy-to-use tips for modelers of any scale. […]
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Large scale freight cars Two-bay hopper with exterior posts. Chessie System (black and yellow with Chesapeake & Ohio reporting marks) and Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe (Mineral Red with circle-cross herald in square and “Santa Fe” billboard lettering). One number per scheme. Removable coal load, plastic wheels, and hook-and-loop couplers. $73.99. PIKO America, 619-280-2800, piko-america.com […]
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Large scale freight cars Tank car on flatcar base. Sunoco. Factory-applied handrails, plastic wheelsets, turnbuckles on tank bands, and hook-and-loop couplers. $122.99. August 2021. PIKO America, 619-280-2800, piko-america.com […]
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It’s been common practice for railroads to modify antiquated rolling stock to suit a particular need for Maintenance of Way (MOW) equipment. An old flatcar no longer of use for main line service often became an asset for work trains. The flatcar could be repaired, lightly modified, and put into service looking much like it […]
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For many years I have been a volunteer at our local nature center (Sandy Creek Nature Center of Athens-Clarke Co., GA). It occurred to me that their circular flower and nature gardens would be a perfect setting for a garden railroad. I approached personnel at the center, and they were enthusiastic, as it would create […]
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