Introducing the all-new Trains.com Forum! Become a part of our Community! >>VISIT NOW
Common name: Thimble cactus Latin name: Mammillaria gracilis fragilis Plant type: Perennial USDA Hardiness Zones: 9-11 Cultural needs: Gravelly or sandy well-drained, neutral or slightly acidic soil; full sun Plant size: 1″ high, spreading to 6-12″ As might be expected, this miniature mammillaria cactus hails from south of the border in Central or Eastern Mexico, […]
DIY garden train gazebo While shopping at a local thrift store, I spotted an aluminum tea light candle holder. The shape and size approximated a large-scale gazebo. With minor modifications and spray paint, it would make a weatherproof and inexpensive display piece in the railroad. I added a miniature hanging basket plant, made from a […]
A water level is a low-tech but precise way of measuring relative elevation in your yard. By using a water level, you can either find out how much elevation there is from one point to another or, if you are trying to make your railway level, it will tell you when you are there if […]
Here are five tools for a garden railroad you can make or obtain cheaply. 1. Make a ballast broom If you do a lot of reballasting (or ballasting) on your railway, take an old 4-inch paint brush and attach the handle with screws to an extension pole about 3 feet long. This becomes a mini-broom […]
The return of winter weather in Wisconsin is imminent, so host Kent Johnson has to work fast to complete projects on his raised garden railway. Luckily, he has Rene Schweitzer and Cody Grivno to help with gardening and multiple modeling projects too. […]
The return of winter weather in Wisconsin is imminent, so host Kent Johnson has to work fast to complete projects on his raised garden railway. Luckily, he has Rene Schweitzer and Cody Grivno to help with gardening and multiple modeling projects too. […]
Whether you’re just starting out in the hobby or have been involved for years, our special supplement has something to help you make the most of your garden railroad! Enter your e-mail below and instantly receive a FREE 14-page download, as our gift. You’ll also receive twice-monthly news updates from Garden Railways. Inside this special supplement, […]
Each of these 21 plants, selected by the Garden Railways horticultural editor, fits the scale requirements of any backyard garden railroad. Print and clip this booklet to create handy cards to file for future reference or take to your local garden center. The profiles contain color photos showing scale and possible usage, with information on USDA Hardiness […]
[…]
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. […]
Solar lights are convenient and are available in a wide variety of styles. You just put them where you want them and you’re good to go. The sun charges the battery during the daylight hours, and the lights come on after dark. On a good charge, they may stay on all night, but they’re supposed […]
Don’t miss Nancy Norris’ feature article in our Spring 2020 issue, “Dine in your line.” Download a PDF of “100 plants for railway gardeners” here […]
