Model the desert

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The skeleton of a desert in progress at Scott Kennedy’s East Bay Union Railroad at one end of his dogbone trackplan. A flagstone plateau supports the track and retains soil while a dry creek provides drainage and a footpath. Nancy Norris In the fleshed-out desert, a dwarf, blue-green olive tree (Olea ‘Little Ollie’) flanks the […]

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High tech modeling for garden railroaders

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3D printing has become less expensive and can produce higher-quality prints than ever before. Most people limit themselves to PLA or ABS filaments. These two plastics are quite common and can even be found in your favorite big-box store in the most common sizes: 1.75mm and 3.0mm. There are others out there with advantages and […]

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Building an outdoor garden caboose

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Photo 1 Sun has set but modeling continues in paradise—a building for building railway gear, rain or shine. In this caboose, the author keeps kits under construction, trains ready to run, parts drawers, a tiny fridge, and an electric kettle. A train runs through it. Garden tools hang just inside the end door. Rungs lead […]

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Build plywood tipper cars

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Eric Schade Starting in the December 2018 issue, author Eric Schade explains how he built tipper cars from scratch. Download his drawings here and follow along to build your own cars. […]

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Japanese spurge

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Nancy Norris Common name: Japanese spurge, Pachysandra Latin name: Pachysandra terminalis Plant type: Groundcover USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-8 Cultural needs: Moist, well-drained soil; full shade to full sun Plant size: 6-8″ high, spreading aggressively Close up of leaves Nancy Norris Sometimes we need a groundcover to simply cover the ground in hardy greenness to prevent […]

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New products from the December 2018 issue of Garden Railways magazine

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LGB starter set Piko electric locomotive Engines & rolling stock LGB (Märklin) is offering several items for the Christmas market. A Christmas Train Starter Set (#L72305, shown) includes a Christmas design, old-timer steam locomotive with Bühler motor, working headlight, and built-in smoke unit; two passenger cars; 12 sections of curved track; power supply and controller; […]

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Accucraft British passenger cars

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Marc Horovitz 1:32 scale, gauge-1 British passenger cars Accucraft 33260 Central Ave. Union City CA 94587 Price: $275 ea. Website: www.accucraft.com Gauge 1, 1:32-scale British MK I coaches; mostly plastic bodies; full interior detail; rubber diaphragms; metal trucks (equalized) and wheelsets; working knuckle couplers; sprung buffers. Dimensions: length over end beams (per coach), 23 3/4″; […]

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LGB 50th anniversary electric locomotive

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Marc Horovitz Gauge 1 electric locomotive LGB (Märklin) Price: $1,099.99US Website: www.lgb.com Gauge-1 model of an RhB Ge 4/4 II locomotive; analog DC or DCC control; multi-protocol DCC decoders; can be run from track power or overhead catenary (analog only); multi-purpose socket; sound equipped; pantographs operate automatically; traction tire on one wheel; 11 electrical track-pickup […]

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Märklin Inc. celebrates LGB’s 50th anniversary

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A Grizzly Flats volunteer educates attendees about the restoration work being done on the Grizzly Flats Chloe locomotive. Steven Stepanek Chloe’s first class passenger car, No. 7 Stephen van Cleave The LGB 50th anniversary RhB class Ge 4/4 II Electric Locomotive on display. (Look for a review of this product in the December 2018 issue […]

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Viaduct construction–a balancing act

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Photo 1 If at first you don’t succeed, get better materials, says Stan Ames, whose previous viaduct lasted less than five years. This strong and graceful viaduct, a good fit in Massachusetts, is in its ninth year serving the SJR&P. Read how in Regional reports. Stan Ames Photo 2 A master of mechanical principles and […]

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