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After years of dealing with rodents, like gophers and moles, burrowing into his gravel-ballasted trackbed, Bobby Waal embarked on a project to convert all roadbed to concrete, seen here under the middle track on his Alps Railway. —Photo: Nancy Norris Alamo, California, Zone 9 When using concrete forms to pour roadbed for track, I’ve developed […]
The Pattersons’ Ever Green and Palm Tree Railroad’s central mountain towers over the railway and dwarfs visitors. Robin Patterson Robin missed the snow but made it permanent on his mountaintop by sprinkling on crushed glass just after painting the summit. Robin Patterson New Port Richie, Florida, Zones 9-10 Before you build is the time to […]
The railway at a glance Name: Palmore Pacific Railroad Size of railroad: 19′ x 50′ Scale: 1:29 Gauge: Nº 1 (45 mm) Era: Modern day (but a steam/diesel excursion train will run from time to time) Theme: Rural small-town USA Age: Construction began December, 2012; Golden Spike driven August, 2013; 95% complete Motive power: USA […]
The railways at a glance Names: The St. Joe & Grand Island; The Kansas Central Size: 4,000 square feet Scales: 1:29 (ST&GI); 1:20.3 (KC) Gauge: Nº 1 (45mm) Eras: 1950s and 1870s Themes: ST&GI: Small farming town in Kansas on a connecting line of the Union Pacific in the 1950s as it converted from steam […]
Mark and Vince Buccini’s series of articles titled “Build your own wireless DCC system” ran in the April, June, and August issues of Garden Railways. It’s been the most-talked about series we’ve done in many years, but it’s also had the most questions. We’re providing the complete set of articles, along with a correction, and […]
In the December 2014 issue, contributor Michael Herhusky explains how to build a curved trestle to fit any location. Download the article he used to build his trestle bents here! […]
Mark Buccini In the August 2014 issue, Mark and Vince Buccini wrap up a three-part series on building a simple DCC system. This part explains how to program and install a locomotive decoder. Cut-and-paste the code for the decoder here or download the attached .txt file. And don’t miss parts one and two (April and […]
In the August 2014 issue, David Bodnar shows us how to program a Picaxe to make realistic signal lights. Cut-and-paste the code here for six different projects. Program 1: A simple crossing signal #TERMINAL 4800 ‘set the speed of the terminal SYMBOL LED1 = b.2 ‘pin 11 SYMBOL LED2 = b.4 ‘pin 9 SERTXD (13,10,”Crossing […]
In the August 2014 issue, Bob Santos shows us an easy way to make signs for your buildings using decals. Bob has compiled a sheet of sample signs for you to download! […]
Bill Canelos In the April and June 2014 issues of Garden Railways, author Bill Canelos shows you how to modify a Bachmann 4-6-0 locomotive. In this video, he demonstrates the sound system he’s installed. […]
Download the PDF of this project here. This PDF is formatted to print on your home printer. Most pieces are formatted to fit on a 8.5″ x 11″ piece of paper. For larger parts of the plan, you will see “break lines.” Line up the break lines to create the larger piece. PLEASE NOTE: This […]
The Tortoise & Lizard Bash Garden Railroad at a glance Name: Tortoise & Lizard Bash Railroad Size of railway: 52′ x ~20′ plus a 10′ x 15′ “L” Scale: Trains, 1:29; structures, 1:24 Gauge: Nº 1 (45 mm) Era: September 1957 Theme: Fantasy, town and country mainline, and switching Age: 15 years Motive power: Primarily […]
