Build a newspaper vending machine

Build a newspaper vending machine

Add some interest to your railroad by building a newspaper vending machine. Jack Verducci provides full-size PDF drawings. For the full article, read the December 2016 issue. Note: These drawings are full-size for 1/2″ scale. To make them in other scales, follow the chart below. For 1:32 scale, reduce the drawings to 75% For 1:22.5 […]

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Beyond Alberta spruce

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1. The two darker trees on the right are Jean’s Dilly Alberta spruce (Picea glauca ‘Jean’s Dilly’, Zones 3-8), unpruned. The lighter-colored tree above the railtruck is a pruned dwarf Alberta spruce (Picea glauca ‘Conica’, Zones 4-8—author’s former garden railroad). Don Parker 2. Miniature moss false cypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Squarrosa Minima’, Zones 4-8) is scale-appropriate […]

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Blue Pyramid cypress

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Unpruned Nancy Norris Common name: Blue Pyramid cypress Latin name: Cupressus arizonica ‘Blue Pyramid’ Plant type: Dwarf conifer USDA Hardiness Zones: 6-9 Cultural needs: Average-to-poor well-drained soil; sun or light shade Plant size: Fast growing to 20′ in 10 years but easily pruned annually to stay under 3′ Pruned Nancy Norris Blue Pyramids are just […]

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Proxxon Tools disc sander

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Marc Horovitz Disc sander Proxxon Tools PO Box 1909 Hickory NC 28603 Price: $300 Website: www.proxxon.com 9 3/4″ disc sander (#TSG 250/E); cast-aluminum housing; double ball-bearing spindle; aluminum, tilting work table; electronic speed control; adjustable miter gauge; owner’s manual; approximate footprint: 11″ x 11″; height, 14″ Pros: Solid construction; easily replacable sanding discs; variable-speed motor; […]

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TrainLine’s narrow gauge 0-6-0-T

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Kevin Strong DCC-equipped 1:22.5 scale, gauge 1, steam-outline locomotive TrainLine Made in Germany Available from: Train Li 3 Kensington Way Upton MA 01568 Prices: $945 (analog DC); $1,145 (DCC) Website: www.trainli.com Mostly plastic steam-outline 0-6-0T; plastic side rods and valve gear; power pickup from all wheels plus skates; working headlights and cab light; available as […]

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Vilas County Lumber Company turntable plan set

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Turntable plan set in 1:24 scale Vilas County Lumber Company 12306 Lakeview Trail Homer Glen IL 60491 Prices: $18; plans only, $13; free shipping Website: www.VCLCo.com Photos of eight different turntables; full-size plans for 1:24-scale 60′ Lassig turntable; eight 9 1/2″ x 13″ pages and three 13″ x 19″ pages; spiral bound; printed in color; […]

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Making movies without a video camera

A camera pointing out an outdoor layout

GoPro cameras, cell-phone cameras, and video-capable DSLR cameras are everywhere. This column will review a dozen examples of video technique from my “Video 101” workshop, presented at the National Garden Railway Convention. Columns will include suggestions, with photographic links to a short demonstration videos of some Bay Area railroads. I recently saw a man filming […]

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A tour of the W&Q by handcar

A tour of the W&Q by handcar

Name:    Eric Schade Forum User Name:    captain perry Railroad Name:    Winnegance and Quebec Railway Location:    Phippsburg, Maine Scale:    1 to 13.7 or 7/8″ to the foot Theme:    A rural Maine two foot gauge line Description:    Follow along with the hand car as the section man inspects the line. This is the second hand car as […]

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