Grain elevator drawings in 1:29 scale

Grain elevator drawings in 1:29 scale

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. Despite our best […]

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Blend benchwork into your garden railway

model train next to mountain

Sometimes the most expedient way to get your outdoor railway from point A to point B is on benchwork, so called because the height of the roadbed is similar to that of a workbench and facilitates the handling of trains and track. The many styles of benchwork construction seem to correspond to the skills of […]

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The Ambledown Valley Railway

ambledown_valley

Fairford, a Lynton & Barnstaple Manning Wardle 2-6-2T on the embankment and bridge between Hinton Magnolia tunnel and Higher Buxton. On the left of the line is Juniperus communis ‘Compressa’. Near it grow the red, fleshy leaves of a Sempervivum sp. Opposite, on the other side of the line, the bronze winter color of Cryptomeria […]

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A day on the In-ko-pah Railroad

A day on the In-ko-pah Railroad

Name: Ray Dunakin Forum User Name: Ray Dunakin Railroad Name: In-ko-pah Railroad Location: San Diego, CA Scale: 1:24   Theme: Narrow gauge in a rugged desert setting Description: The In-ko-pah Railroad is a unique layout set into a steep hillside. Tons of rock have been used to create massive mountains and cliffs, decorated with hundreds […]

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Hardiness Zones for mapping plant survivability

colorful map of United States

Hardiness Zones are the answer to the question, “Where can I grow this plant?” If you’re planting strictly native plants, you won’t need to worry. On the other hand, your nursery plants were originally plucked from all over the world and then researchers tried to grow them in every imaginable climate. The USDA (US Department […]

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A great railroad in a small space

bondesbjerg_mountain

Railway at a glance Name: Bondesbjerg Mountain Railway Size: 8m x 4m (26’2″ x 13’1″) Scale: 1:10 Gauge: 45mm Era: Today Theme: Former industrial railroad, now a tourist attraction Age: 5 years Motive power: Scratchbuilt industrial diesel locomotive Length of mainline: 30m (98′) Maximum gradient: 2% Type of track: LGB rail spiked to wooden ties […]

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Covered bridge drawings

Covered bridge drawings

In the June 2011 issue, author Eric Schade begins a two-part series on building a covered bridge from wood. Download this companion article on a covered bridge from the May/June 1985 issue of Garden Railways.   […]

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Drawings to build the Canton Depot

Drawings to build the Canton Depot

Download the PDF of this project here. In the April 2011 issue,  Ian Stringer’s Hensellvania Division shows a model of the Canton Depot. Download these plans to build your own Canton Depot, compliments of our sister publication Model Railroader. […]

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Miniaturizing trees using bonsai techniques

tree on garden railway with house in the distance

 Bonsai is an ancient horticultural practice that has been developed into an art form. Years can be spent studying and perfecting it. I doubt there are many garden railroaders with the time or inclination to get into true bonsai culture. Fortunately, there are some shortcut (and likely unorthodox) methods to make miniature trees with less […]

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