Getting Started in Garden Railroading

Looking to get started in garden railroading? Start by reading our free 17-page PDF. Learn the advantages and disadvantages of each garden scale, pick the right scale and gauge for your garden railroad, and gather the right garden railroad supplies for your backyard railroad. […]

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Plants and gardening ideas for O scale railways

overview of O scale garden railway

Nancy Lagomarsino and Jacques Verdier are long-time O scale (1:48) collectors. After volunteering at the San Leandro Historical Railway Society’s (www.slhrs.org) G&O Railroad (containing both G and O scales), they were understandably inspired and motivated to dust off their collection to run in the great outdoors. Choosing O scale gives garden railroaders the advantage of […]

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Plowing snow on the Jericho & Mt Zion Railway

plowing snow on the Jericho & Mt Zion Railway

Name: Ray Wheeler Railroad Name: Jericho & Mt Zion Railway Location: Lynnwood, WA USA Scale: 1:20.3 Theme: Modern day steam powered tourist railroad with freight operations Description: A compilation from two days of plowing snow on the Jericho & Mt Zion Railway. Music by Hillsong Music from their album The Secret Place, “Dwelling Places.” […]

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A guide to plant-hardiness zones

Garden Railways

To a novice gardener, the topic of plant-hardiness zones can be as confusing as gauge and scale terminology is to the beginning model railroader. With gauge and scale, there are different standards used by various manufacturers. In gardening, growers and publishers utilize different hardiness-zone ratings. The main confusion comes from the fact that there are […]

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Garden railroad electrical/electricity questions and answers

Garden Railways

Garden railroad electrical/electricity questions and answers Is it safe to power your trains outdoors? Will I get electrocuted? It’s completely safe to run track power outdoors! Our trains, like those in the smaller scales, run on low-voltage DC, usually 18-24V. Thus, it is perfectly safe to run your trains outdoors, even in the rain or […]

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Water and backdrops on the Verdi Railroad

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Visitors along the back of the garden have this view of Copper Gorge, the waterless water feature encased in recycled auto glass. The battery-powered Union Pacific MOW uses AirWire 900 and Soundtraxx Electronics. Both engines are powered (all 16 wheels drive) to pull full name train car sets. Nancy Norris The Southern Pacific ‘Red Car’ […]

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Watch chain stonecrop

watchchain_stonecrop

Nancy Norris Common name: Watch chain stonecrop Latin name: Sedum sexangulare Plant type: groundcover USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-9 Cultural needs: full sun, average to dry soil with good drainage Plant size: 6-10″ Often used on green roofs for a quick covering, watch chain stonecrop is both dainty and rugged. Like most stonecrops of the genus, […]

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New products from the Spring 2019 issue of Garden Railways magazine

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Aster USRA Light Mikado Roundhouse Engineering “Jennie” LGB Mogul Piko wood coach Aster-Accucraft Models, 33260 Central Ave, Union City, CA 94587, is releasing two new locomotives, both in limited quantities. The first is an updated Aster USRA Light Mikado 2-8-2 in 1:32 scale (shown). The updated engine is alcohol fired and has cast-iron driver wheels, […]

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Bridgewerks The Morrison

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William Zuback Manufacturer Bridgewerks, Inc. 2522 N. Proctor St. Suite 249 Tacoma WA 98406 www.bridgewerks.com Price: $275.00 William Zuback Renowned for its stable of large, high-amp direct-current (DC) power supplies, Bridgewerks deviates from the norm to introduce a small, yet sleek, power controller intended for modest sized railroads. The all-new Morrison Controller is a 3A […]

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MTH General Electric Dash 8-40CW diesel locomotive

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William Zuback Manufacturer MTH Electric Trains 7020 Columbia Gateway Dr. Columbia MD 21046-1532 www.mthtrains.com Price: $749.95 Era: 1992 to 1999 (as decorated) Road names: Dash 8-40CW – CSX “The Spirit of America” [no. 1992 with Presidential seal and no. 7812 without] and “boxcar” herald); Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe; Canadian National; Conrail; and Norfolk Southern. […]

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