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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Dwarf balsam fir

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Nancy Norris Common name: Dwarf balsam fir, dwarf silver fir Latin name: Abies balsamea ‘Nana’ Plant type: Dwarf conifer USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-8 Cultural needs: Moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil; sun or part shade Plant size: 10″ in 10 years Dwarf silver fir’s dark green, fragrant needles (silver underneath) form a compact mound. Trim lower […]

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Accucraft live-steam 0-6-0T

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Marc Horovitz 1:32 scale, gauge 1, live-steam 0-6-0T Accucraft 33260 Central Ave Union City CA 94587 Price: $1,156 Website: www.accucraft.com Gauge 1, 1:32 scale, live-steam model of a Victory-class 0-6-0T; all-metal construction; gas fired; single-flue boiler; two double acting, piston-valve cylinders; piston-valve reversing via a lever in the cab; all drivers flanged; displacement lubricator with […]

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Missouri Locomotive Company three-truck Shay

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Marc Horovitz Gauge 1, 1:20.3 scale, three-truck Shay Missouri Locomotive Company PO Box 243 Jefferson City MO 65102 Price: $1,995 + $90 s&h Website: http://moloco.biz 1:20.3 scale, gauge-1 model of a Lima three-truck Shay; electrically powered; all-metal construction; directional lighting; four-foot minimum radius; ready for installation of sound, smoke, and other electronics; motor geared to […]

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Video 101: Vignettes and transitions

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A “vignette” is a small portrait whose edges fade into the background without a definite border, or a brief episode. Vignette is my word for a video scene from a story that is unfinished or only partially told. Al Tillman’s railway was undergoing a major renovation on the day we visited but it had several […]

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High-tech modeling for garden railroaders

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Photo 1 Before I go any further, I want to share a feature of OnShape that you might like to try.  You will have to create an account, but that’s easy. I covered this before and the process is straightforward. Once you sign in, you will see a page that looks like the one below […]

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Display at the San Diego County Fair

garden railroad on display at the san diego county fair

Name: Mark Lovelace Railroad Name: SDGRS San Diego County Fair 2018 Location: Del Mar, California Scale: 1:24 Theme: How Sweet it Is Description: This is a cab ride on the largest line of a 6-line railroad the San Diego Garden Railroad Society built for the 2018 San Diego County Fair. The video of the train […]

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