Creative ideas for your garden railroad

Photo 1 This plunging waterfall is on the author’s Hoot ’n’ Holler Railroad in northern Ohio. It is “pondless,” with an underground pump reservoir beneath the mill. Don Parker Photo 2 The waterwheel from the mill in photo 1 is built around a section of 4″ plastic drain pipe. Don Parker Photo 3 This telltale […]

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S gauge EMD F3 diesel from MTH Electric Trains

S GAUGE SEABOARD F3 DIESEL FROM MTH ELECTRIC TRAINS Price: $379.95 (no. 35-20016-1) Min Curve: S-20 Cmd Low: 2.44 smph Cnv Low: 3.54 smph High: 67 smph Drawbar pull: 10.5 oz. Features: Two motor-driven trucks, Proto-Sound 3.0 command and sound system, operating couplers Current-production road names: Central RR of New Jersey, New York Central, Pennsylvania […]

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O gauge Alco RS-3 from MTH Electric Trains

O GAUGE ALCO RS-3 FROM MTH ELECTRIC TRAINS Price: $319.95 (no. 30-20295-1) Min Curve: O-27 Cmd Low: 2.1 smph Cnv Low: 5.2 smph High: 63 smph Drawbar pull: 1 lb., 4 oz. Features: Can-style motor, ProtoSound 3.0 command and sound system, smoke, coil couplers Current-production road names: CP Rail, New Haven, New York Central, Providence […]

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How to model a greenhouse in your railroad garden

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 […]

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The Train Department gauge-1 wheelsets

Marc Horovitz 1:20.3 scale, gauge-1 wheelsets The Train Department 26 Coral Drive Hazlet NJ 07730 Price: $9.50 per axle Website: www.thetraindepartment.com Cast metal, gauge-1 wheelsets; stainless-steel axles; raised letters on face and back of wheels; raised fins on inside of wheels; coned tread; long or short journals available (see text); wheels insulated at hub. Dimensions: […]

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The Gauge 1 Model Railway Co British passsenger cars

Marc Horovitz 1:32-scale British Mk. I coaches The Gauge 1 Model Railway Co. PO Box 509 Chatham, Kent ME5 7XE UK Available in the US from: Accucraft 33268 Central Ave. Union City CA 94587 Price: $1,276/four-car set Website: www.accucraft.com Gauge 1, 1:32 scale, British Mk. I coaches; plastic bodies; full interiors; Kadee couplers; sprung buffers; […]

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How to landscape around your buildings

What do your buildings have to say for themselves? Each structure evokes a feeling for its purpose, the folks who might live or work there, and a bit about the history that transpired on the premises, as shown in photo 1. How the structure was built and maintained is “written on the walls.” All of […]

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The 3 principles of great railway station photos

FULL SCREEN Todd Halamka Victoria Station, Mumbai, India FULL SCREEN Todd Halamka Victoria Station, Mumbai, India FULL SCREEN Todd Halamka Dadar Station, India FULL SCREEN Todd Halamka Haydarpasa Station, Istanbul FULL SCREEN Todd Halamka Munich Station, Germany FULL SCREEN Todd Halamka Munich Station, Germany FULL SCREEN Todd Halamka Augsburg Station, Germany FULL SCREEN Todd Halamka […]

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Empire Rail Works elevated railway system

Kevin Strong Steel and mahogany modular elevated railway system Empire Rail Works1532 E. St. Mark’s Ct.Salt Lake City UT 84124See website for pricingWebsite: www.empirerailworks.com Laser-cut steel and mahogany Chicago “L”-style elevated railway platform; suitable for suspending from ceiling Pros: Clean, sturdy construction, simple assembly, neat overall appearanceCons: None Kevin Strong If you’re modeling an urban […]

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O GAUGE BAVARIAN S 3/6-CLASS 4-6-2 BY MTH

Back in the days before Imperial Germany adopted the national pastime of periodically attempting to destroy Europe, it was a state composed of four kingdoms (with four kings), 11 duchies and grand duchies, seven principalities, three free cities, and one imperial territory. It was quite a political casserole. Seven major operators provided transportation for this […]

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Making Model Buildings for Garden Railways book

Making Model Buildings for Garden Railways by Peter Jones with Kes JonesCrowood PressThe Stable Block, Crowood Lane, RamsburyMarlborough, Wiltshire SN8 2HRUnited KingdomAvailable in the US from:Quayside Publishing Group400 First Avenue North, Suite 300Minneapolis MN 55401  7¾” x 10″, 192 pages, hardbound, profusely illustrated in color  Price: $39.95  Website: www.qbookshop.com The legions of Peter Jones fans […]

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3rd Rail O gauge Brass 2-10-10-2

Land of the giants O gauge brass 2-10-10-2 from 3rd Rail In the January 2010 issue, we reviewed Lionel’s O gauge version of a Santa Fe 2-10-10-2, which in the world of real railroading was pretty much a failure. Today we are reviewing 3rd Rail’s O gauge version of a Virginian Ry. 2-10-10-2 that in […]

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