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 […]
Product news Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates. Here are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of August 19, 2021. HO scale locomotives Electro-Motive Division GP18 diesel locomotive. Illinois […]
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” […]
How did you get started in the hobby? I definitely remember my early years (age 5) with my first tinplate locomotive. My father built what is known locally as “Christmas Garden.” The outside loop was Lionel Standard gauge, while the inner figure eight was a wind-up O gauge passenger train. I am celebrating 75 years […]
Common name: Corsican mint Plant type: Groundcover Latin name: Mentha requienii Plant size: ¼” to ½” high; spreading USDA Hardiness Zones: 6-9; annual in other zones Cultural needs: Moist, well drained neutral or slightly acidic soil; sun to part shade Easily one of the flattest groundcovers, with the tiniest purple flowers, Corsican mint is great […]
Product news Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates. Here are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of July 22, 2021. HO scale locomotives MT-4 4-8-2 steam locomotive. Without skyline […]
Thrift stores can hold a wealth of treasures for hobbyists, if you know where to look. I have suggestions of which departments to look for items for your garden railroad. I suggest going into a store with an open mind. For just a few dollars and a little paint, you might find something spectacular for […]
Large scale sets Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe remote-control starter set. Includes a 0-6-0T saddletank steam locomotive, two-bay offset-side hopper, caboose, R/C controller, pocket remote, power clamps, and circle of indoor/outdoor R1 track. Locomotive has five-pole can-type motor, detailed cab interior with engineer figure, and sliding pickup shoes. All models have hook-and-loop couplers. $479.99. September […]
LGB (Märklin), 1406 Creek Trail Dr, Jefferson City, MO 65109, is giving away an original James R. Mann watercolor of the Santa Fe Super Chief to celebrate the release of its Santa Fe A and B-units. The company is extending the raffle for the painting until Aug. 31, 2021. Mann’s painting will have the same […]
“Projecting” signs have been part of the commercial landscape for years. In the early years of the 20th century, they often consisted of boards jutting out from the front of buildings with the business name on both sides. They’re also referred to as “blade” or “flag-mounted” signs. I wanted to model projecting signs in my […]
