Fall is the time many builders begin preparing their railroads for harsh winter weather that lies ahead. Unless, of course, you’re lucky enough to live in a temperate climate zone. In the weeks before the cold arrives, some folks start to stow their structures, drain water features, and tuck the trains away for months of […]
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Photo 1 River rock provides operator access Nancy Norris Photo 2 Nancy Norris Photo 3 Nancy Norris Dry streams can make a splash in your railway! There’s no water, yet the path still flows. Running a ribbon of river rock unites your scenery and gives bridges purpose. The premise is simple. We mirror a watercourse, […]
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As I walked up the driveway toward Mick Spilsbury’s Black Canyon Railroad, I could begin to hear the multitude of sounds stemming from the site. At first, I could distinguish the sounds of cows and sheep coming from the vicinity of four stock cars. But then I listened a bit more deliberately, and heard 10 […]
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Nancy Norris/Rick Johnson Water goes down to ‘seek its own level’. Hygroscopic tension forces water sideways when moisture follows the underside of a spill rock or fallen branch. Soil wicks water in all directions by osmosis. Splashing bounces up. Water evaporates into thin air and we wonder if the reservoir is leaking. Water needs to […]
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Follow along with author Mike Lafond as he builds a steel-frame snow plow in the Fall and Winter 2019 issues. Download a full-size version of his CAD drawings here. Please note: Check your printer settings before printing. Uncheck the “scale to fit” box. You may need to tile these pieces into two pages. See gray […]
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Mike Lafond Figure 1 Mike Lafond Photo 1 Printed templates glued on the aluminum. I left the templates stuck on the alumimum until I had drilled out all the holes. I “cheated” here and used a bandsaw to cut these pieces from the main sheet. The two upper pieces are the outer bolster parts, cut […]
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Mike Lafond In the Summer 2019 and Fall 2019 issues, follow along as author Mike Lafond build a metal-frame snow plow. Download this companion piece to turn your own wheelsets. […]
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Enter the Christmas in July Prize Pack Giveaway, brought to you by USA Trains, Red Caboose Motel & Casey Jones’ Restaurant, Right On Track Models, Yankee Dabbler, and Blackstone Models. This special Sweepstakes ends on July 31, 2019. One lucky winner that will take home the complete prize package valued at over $1,500! Now let’s […]
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Wayne Wesoloski In the Summer 2019 issue, author Wayne Wesoloski documents a mountain-making method perfect by Gary Martin in the Phoenix area. We had more photos and resources than we could fit into the print magazine, so we’re sharing them here! Get some friends together and make mountains! Wayne Wesoloski Tips for peak performance • […]
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More ideas for kid-friendly garden railroading Don’t miss the companion article, Kid-friendly garden railroading. How have you made a difference for kids in railways? Zones are USDA Hardiness Zones This longer version of Regional gardening reports from “Greening your railway” (Summer 2019 issue) includes nine reports, many photos and a variety of themes. Some […]
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