Common name: Dwarf crape myrtle Latin name: Lagerstroemia indica ‘Violet Filli’ (Filigree series) Plant size: 6-24″, depending on the miniature variety Plant type: Shrubs and small trees USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-11 (or grown as an annual) Cultural needs: Well-drained, slightly acidic to acidic soil, full sun The miniature crape myrtle in the photo, one of […]
Large scale locomotives Deutsche Reichsbahn Class 50 2-10-0 steam locomotive. Molded and separate, factory-applied parts, including lights, brake cylinders, bumpers, smokestack, tanks, piping, and handrails; hook-and-loop couplers; and can-type ball-bearing motor. Direct-current model can be upgraded with PIKO locomotive decoder no. 36125 and sound kit no. 36230, both sold separately. Direct-current model, $1,499.99; with PIKO […]
Garden center owner Walt Uebele had an idea—build a garden railway to keep the husbands and kids entertained while the wives shopped. Little did he know that folks of all ages would love watching the trains run. Watch an interview conducted by Production Editor Rene Schweitzer about the railway and its beginnings, only on Trains.com! […]
Hal and Rene are on location at the Burlington Garden Center in Burlington, Wisconsin. In this episode, they showcase the garden center’s railway display, show you tips on weathering a structure, and update you on Cody’s diesel locomotive project! […]
Large scale locomotives Deutsche Reichsbahn BR V180 diesel locomotive. Two five-pole can-type ball-bearing motors, detailed engine room interior and engineer figure, hook-and-loop couplers, operating red and white directional lighting with functional high beam using Digital Command Control (DCC), and DCC sound decoder (Locomotive will run on analog DC, but sound functions only on DCC.) $789.99. […]
How did you get started in the hobby? Like so many of us, I was around five years old and woke up on Christmas morning to see a brand-new Lionel train running around the Christmas tree. I’ve been hooked ever since. What was your first large scale locomotive? It was a secondhand LGB European 0-4-0. […]
I’ve discovered a way to build inexpensive and custom designed buildings for indoor use or temporary displays at train shows or open houses. The primary material for this project is fabric. These fabrics are called “landscape designs,” and include patterns such as brick, wood, and stone, as well as signs. Several manufacturers make these designs, […]
Large scale freight cars Italian State Railways Eaos high-side gondola. Hook-and-loop couplers and plastic wheelsets. $157.99. October 2021. PIKO America, 619-280-2800, piko-america.com Electronics/controls Navigator remote. Updated replacement for nos. 35017 and 35021 Navigator remote. New 2.4GHz frequency. Ergonomic design, up to 300-foot wireless operation (when combined with the no. 35038 wireless receiver, sold separately), and […]
My garden railroad, the Snake River Railroad, is named after my interest in the Union Pacific. This has been my favorite railroad ever since I saw the Big Boy. The 200 by 300-foot railroad is shaped like a mirror image of Idaho, because of large Ponderosa pines in the backyard. There are two separate […]
Latin name: Sedum sp. Common name: Miniature sedum Plant type: Groundcover Plant size: Foliage under 2″ tall x 10″ wide, or less USDA Hardiness Zones: Varies Cultural needs: Full sun and dry soil Full size sedums (also known as stonecrops) have long been used as groundcovers for hot, sunny, dry sites. They spread quickly, are […]
Large scale freight cars Supermarine Spitfire two-bay hopper. Hook-and-loop couplers, plastic wheelsets, and molded handrails and stirrup steps. $104.99. October 2021. PIKO America, 619-280-2800, piko-america.com Tacky Tombstones two-bay hopper. Hook-and-loop couplers, plastic wheelsets, and molded handrails and stirrup steps. $109.99. September 2021. PIKO America, 619-280-2800, piko-america.com […]
Crawling around on the ground to clean my rail was getting tiring. I needed a new method to clean track, so I built an elevated track cleaner to get the job done instead. Supply list Wooden extension pole Drywall pole sander head Two-truck LGB gondola car LGB #50050 track cleaning attachment Scrap thin-gauge aluminum ¼” […]
