Mulch in the garden railroad

reasons_for_mulch1

Photo 1 Shredded hardwood bark mulch, bleached by the sun, provides soil cover in an area that will be full of groundcover plants in time. Note that the mulch has been pulled away from the tree trunk behind the figure. Don Parker Photo 2 Freshly applied, finely shredded hardwood bark mulch (triple-ground) before it has […]

Read More…

Dwarf hardy jasmine

dwarf_jasmine

Nancy Norris Common name: Dwarf hardy jasmine, Parker’s jasmine Latin name: Jasminum parkeri Plant type: Shrubs & small trees USDA Hardiness Zones: 7-11 (overwinter indoors in lower zones) Cultural needs: Regular moisture, well-drained, slightly acidic soil, sun or part shade Plant size: 8-18″ high x 18″ wide Many plants are called jasmine but stem from […]

Read More…

Accucraft 2-6-2T live steam locomotive

accucraft_welsh

Marc Horovitz 1:19 scale, dual gauge, live steam 2-6-2T Accucraft Trains 33268 Central Ave. Union City CA 94587 Price: $1,995 Website: www.accucraft.com 1:19 (16mm) scale live-steam locomotive; gas fired; single-flue boiler; 60 psi blow-off pressure; twin safety valves; pseudo-Walschaerts valve gear; D-valve cylinders; reversing from the cab; water glass, pressure gauge; displacement lubricator with drain; […]

Read More…

Train Control Systems WowSound decoder

throttle

Kevin Strong TCS WowSound 5-amp DCC decoder Train Control Systems 845 Blooming Glen Road Blooming Glen PA 18911 Website: www.tcsdcc.com Price: $199.95 Five-amp capacity DCC motor/sound decoder; available for steam and diesel. Size: 3″ x 17/16″ x 9/16″ Pros: Good motor control; high-quality sound reproduction; many sound options programmed onto the decoder; prototypical braking; “Audio […]

Read More…

Visaton speakers

speakers

Kevin Strong 8-ohm Visaton speakers Available from: Train-Li 3 Kensington Way Upton MA 01568 Prices: $14.95 – $24.95 Website: www.trainli.com Moderately priced speakers for use with locomotive sound systems; size: 2″ to 3.3″ diameter Pros: Great sound reproduction even without enclosure Cons: None Anyone who has worked with sound systems knows that speakers need a […]

Read More…

Train watching on the Winnegance & Quebec

Name:    Eric Schade Railroad Name:    Winnegance and Quebec Location:    Phippsburg, Maine Scale:    7/8″=1′-0″ (1:13.7) Theme:    Maine two foot gauge railroading in the teens Description:    This is a compilation of several live steam runs on two beautiful spring evenings. The leaves are just poking out and so are the black flies. The trains are pulled by […]

Read More…

Accucraft live-steam 4-8-4 locomotive

accucraft_4841

Marc Horowitz 1:32 scale, gauge-1 N&W 4-8-4 Accucraft Trains 33268 Central Ave. Union City CA 94587 Price: $5,950 Website: www.accucraft.com All metal, 1:32 scale, gauge-1 model of Norfolk & Western J-class streamlined 4-8-4; working Baker valve gear controlled from the cab; gas-fired boiler; ceramic burner; weight, 28.8 pounds (loco, 19.8 pounds; tender, 9 pounds); fittings: […]

Read More…

CVP Products high current, wireless DCC receiver

accucraft4844

Kevin Strong High current, wireless DCC receiver CVP Products (Airwire) PO Box 835772 Richardson TX 75083 Price: $132 (internal antenna); $138 (external antenna) Website: www.cvpusa.com Convertr-60; 6-amp wireless DCC receiver for battery R/C. Dimensions: 2.4″ x 1.2″ Pros: Easy installation; good range; high current capacity; able to use all 17 available Airwire frequencies Cons: No polarity […]

Read More…