Northeast Corridor safety

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Extra tall fences (seen on the overpass in the background) often protect electrified lines from road debris. Michael S. Murray Q I have driven over the Northeast Corridor and have seen guardrails on the bridge get higher over the tracks themselves. Why is that? – Dan Wescott, Louisburg, N.C. A The primary reason higher barriers […]

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Following a ghost railroad

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Photo 1 USGS topographic map of Wheaton, Kansas. Photo 2 Every little town along this railroad and most others in the Midwest has a “Railroad St.” or “Railroad Ave.” Photo 3 The Google Earth view of the Kansas Central line east of Olsburg, Kansas. Photo 4 Kansas Central route highlighted in red. The arrow shows […]

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Conifers, part 2: More ideas for trees

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Photo 1 Dwarf Scots pine on the author’s current garden railroad. Don Parker Photo 2 Lynn’s Golden Hinoki false cypress on Marc Langan’s Mulberry Creek Railroad. Don Parker Photo 3 Blue Feathers false cypress. Photo taken at Mulberry Creek Herb Farm and Miniatures. Don Parker Photo 4 Chirimen false cypress. Photo taken at Mulberry Creek […]

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Pruning practices: Part 2

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1 Marcus and Vanessa Kollmann model European railroads on their Landschaft Gartenbahn. Living scenery wraps around the structures and cozies up to the track for a lush landscape. At left, a cut-leaf Japanese maple (Acer palmatum ‘Dissectum’, Zones 5-9) stretches over the street for bright, dappled lighting. After winter, the Kollmanns shape this tree while […]

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Accucraft live-steam Heisler

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Marc Horovitz Gauge 1, 1:20.3 scale, live-steam Heisler Accucraft 33268 Central Avenue Union City CA 94587 Price: $3,150 Website: http://accucraft.com All metal live-steam model of West Side Lumber Co. Heisler Nº 3; manual control; two double-acting D-valve cylinders; working cylinder drain cocks; reversing from cab via working Stephenson’s valve gear; hinged roof; pressure gauge; water […]

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Bachmann 2-6-0 (second version)

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Gauge 1, 1:20.3 scale, steam-outline 2-6-0 Bachmann Industries 1400 E. Erie Ave Philadelphia PA 19124 Price: $1,250 Website: www.bachmanntrains.com Plastic and die-cast metal, steam outline, 1870s-era Baldwin 8-18 D class Mogul; all-metal gears; “plug-and-play” socket in tender for the addition of R/C or DCC control; authentic paint scheme. Dimensions: length, 26 1/2″; width, 4 1/2″; […]

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Bachmann passenger cars

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Marc Horovitz Passenger cars Gauge 1, 1:22.5-scale coach and combine Bachmann Trains 1400 East Erie Avenue Philadelphia PA 19124 Price: $139 Website: www.bachmanntrains.com All plastic gauge-1 coach and combine; insulated metal wheelsets; truck-mounted working knuckle couplers; hook-and-loop couplers also supplied; track-powered interior lighting; interior details; sliding door on the combine Pros: Attractive passenger stock; good […]

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JTT & Partners styrene sheets

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Kevin Strong 1:24- and 1:16-scale styrene architectural pattern sheets JTT & Partners Available from: Model Rectifier Corporation 80 Newfield Ave. Edison NJ 08837 Price: $6.50/pack (2 sheets) Website: www.modelrec.com 7.5″ x 12″ vacuum-formed styrene pattern sheets for model building Pros: Crisp detail molded into sheets Cons: Small size of sheets may make covering larger surfaces […]

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LGB gang car

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Marc Horovitz Gauge-1 gang car LGB Märklin Inc. PO Box 510559 New Berlin WI 53151 Price: $329.99 Website: www.lgb.com White Pass & Yukon gang car (#L20060); gauge 1; loop couplers; link-and-pin couplers also provided; all wheels powered; power pickup from all wheels and skates; interior detail; ball-bearing motor; directional headlights/marker lights; DCC ready. Dimensions: length […]

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Classic Chicago commuter trains

FULL SCREEN John Bjorklund, collection of Center for Railroad Photography and Art A Burlington Northern commuter train arrives at Chicago Union Station in July 1971, as seen from Roosevelt Road. FULL SCREEN John Bjorklund, collection of Center for Railroad Photography and Art A Burlington Northern commuter train arrives at west suburban Riverside, Ill., in July […]

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