New model trains for the week of August 6, 2020

Model Railroader placeholder image

HO scale freight cars Bi-level auto rack. New paint schemes: BNSF Ry. (Oxide Red with circle-cross herald and yellow with post-2005 herald), Canadian National (white with red “wet noodle” herald, six road numbers), Conrail (brown with “can opener” herald), CP Rail (red), CSX (yellow), Kansas City Southern (yellow with dual heralds), Mexican Rail Transportation (yellow), […]

Read More…

New large scale products for August 2020

Caboose

Engines & rolling stock Pennsylvania RR double-sheathed cupola caboose. Separate, factory-applied brake wheels, brake cylinder, smokejack, ladders, and grab irons; plastic wheelsets; and hook-and-loop couplers. $94.99. PIKO America LLC, 619-280-2800, piko-america.com General Electric Dash 9-44CW diesel locomotive. Pre-production artwork shown. 1:29 scale. Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe (warbonnet); BNSF Ry. (Heritage III); CSX (dark blue […]

Read More…

Tunneling through tough times

The author designed her rear-of-the-railway tunnel for viewing from a glider on the front door stoop

Like a grade-school report, “What I did on my spring 2020 vacation,” this story is about optimism in the face of confusion and lack of resources. We had just started a new little garden railway loop in front of our house, but hidden from the street. Having built a gallery along the walkway, we next […]

Read More…

Virtual garden railroad visits during quarantine

We’ve kept close to home since quarantine and social distancing guidelines have been issued. Club meetings have been canceled; events and open houses have been put on hold. Our hearts go out to anyone affected by COVID-19. Time at home has spawned creative moments, though. I’ve refurbished structures, maintained locomotives and rolling stock, and looked […]

Read More…

Virtual garden railroad visits during quarantine

We’ve kept close to home since quarantine and social distancing guidelines have been issued. Club meetings have been canceled; events and open houses have been put on hold. Our hearts go out to anyone affected by COVID-19. Time at home has spawned creative moments, though. I’ve refurbished structures, maintained locomotives and rolling stock, and looked […]

Read More…

Scene and scale lighting options for your garden railroad

Solar powered lighting

Scene lighting allows you to shine a spotlight on your favorite railroad scenes. Again, the idea is to draw the viewer’s eye toward something you want to emphasize, like ridges, waterfalls, and pathways. You can be as creative as you want. You’ll want to hit the landscape lighting section at your local home improvement store. […]

Read More…

PIKO America powered re-railer

PIKO America powered re-railer

Open the box and you might be tempted to dismiss the contents as two sections of thin (⅛”) plastic, each measuring 16″ long. Closer inspection reveals the top side of one section includes two 12″ metal plates (slot-and-tab installation) extending two-thirds its length. Probe a bit further to find an end cap, Phillips-head screw, and […]

Read More…