Code of railPrototype railroads use rail of varying heights and weights depending on the type and frequency of trains that run on it. On model railroads, code is the height of the rail measured in hundredths of an inch. See fig. 2. FlextrackWhile some modelers handlay their tracks by spiking the rail to individual wood […]
Running trains with Digital Com-mand Control (DCC) is a lot of fun, and it can make operating a model railroad an enjoyable experience. However, all those DCC electronic components and sound decoders don’t mean much if you can’t get a reliable signal to the tracks. When it comes down to it, nickel-silver rail is a […]
How to wire power-routing turnouts: While it may initially seem difficult, basic two-rail wiring for power-routing turnouts is easy if you understand and apply just two simple rules. The diagrams below demonstrate these crucial wiring principles. Rule 1: Gap the rails between turnouts located frog-to-frog. Place gaps in both rails, between turnout frogs in opposite […]
Paul Helgeson has less than 100 square feet dedicated to his layout, but the variety of scenes is astonishing. Here we offer some additional photographs showing more of his spectacular modeling. Click on each photo to see a larger image. […]
Sometimes we have more photos than we can possibly fit in the allotted pages for a layout article. After choosing the ones we considered to best illustrate the story of Wayne’s layout, we thought we’d share some of the “outtakes” with our subscribers for even more sights on this fabulous railroad. Click on each photo […]
A messy work area is not only unsightly, it is unsafe. A shop floor needs to be kept clear of dust and debris. Losing your footing can result in a sprained ankle, not to mention hitting your head on your workbench. Sweeping up at the end of your work session is all that is needed […]
Rail comes in many different sizes and materials. Here’s a little background information to help you chose the one that’s right for you. Rail sizes The size of model-train rail in any scale is referred to by “code.” For instance, in large-scale railroading we commonly use code-332, code-250, or code-215 rail, although code 197 is […]
Annual refers to a plant that lives for only one season and must be replanted each year. Ballast is the medium, usually gravel of some sort, that provides a firm underlayment for track, helps to hold it in place, and drains water away from the ties. Battery power is another way of operating electrically powered […]
Bob Temper • Don’t arrive early. Most garden railroaders tend to work frantically up until the last minute getting their lines ready. Arriving early can be disruptive. • Don’t stay late. Our hosts are exhausted by the end of the day, so please leave by closing time. • Sign the guest book. Owners like to […]
Jeff Young Full-size steam locomotives have been in existence for over 200 years, and live-steam models for nearly that long. On that basis, it might be easy to conclude that the hobby of small-scale live steam is one that would not see a lot of new technology. To the contrary, there have been a number […]
Download this free trackplan that accompanies our Tuscarora project railroad series. In the June 2006 issue: Determining a trackplan, surveying the land, and defining objectives In the August 2006 issue: Breaking ground and building a stone retaining wall In the October 2006 issue: Building a PVC-based trackbed In the December 2006 issue: Laying track In […]
A Roundhouse “Fowler,” fitted with a coal-fired boiler by John Shawe, at work on the author’s garden railway near Toronto. Jeff Young photo When we acquire a small-scale live steamer, it is usually to run on an established garden railway. The selection of your live-steam locomotive was probably influenced by the physical characteristics of the […]
