Grading concrete roadbed

concreteroadbed

After years of dealing with rodents, like gophers and moles, burrowing into his gravel-ballasted trackbed, Bobby Waal embarked on a project to convert all roadbed to concrete, seen here under the middle track on his Alps Railway. —Photo: Nancy Norris Alamo, California, Zone 9 When using concrete forms to pour roadbed for track, I’ve developed […]

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Mortar mountain

mortarmountain1

The Pattersons’ Ever Green and Palm Tree Railroad’s central mountain towers over the railway and dwarfs visitors. Robin Patterson Robin missed the snow but made it permanent on his mountaintop by sprinkling on crushed glass just after painting the summit. Robin Patterson New Port Richie, Florida, Zones 9-10 Before you build is the time to […]

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Variety in groundcovers

variety1

1. The hillside around the Skunk Holler Mine on the author’s Hoot ’n’ Holler Railroad is covered with Turkish veronica, which bursts into bloom every spring. Don Parker 2. The lighter-blue flowers in the foreground are produced by miniature speedwell (Veronica oltensis), growing shorter than Turkish veronica. Don Parker 3. Three different groundcovers flank this […]

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Gn3 Denver & Rio Grande Western

Gn3DenverRioGrandeWestern

Gn3 Denver & Rio Grande Western track plan Name: Denver & Rio Grande Western Layout designer:  John Johnson Scale: Gn3 (1:22.5 proportion) Size: 20 x 55 feet Theme: D&RGW Locale: Colorado Era: 1950s Style: Continuous-run display Mainline run: 300 feet Minimum radius: 8 feet Minimum turnout: no. 6 Maximum grade: 4 percent Benchwork: Plywood on […]

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How to strip paint from a locomotive shell

A hand holding a plastic locomotive part in a liquid bath.

Name:    Chris Haon Railroad Name:    LP&CL Railroad Location:    Marietta, GA Scale:    1:29 Theme:    Whimsical Description:    Here is a short video on how I strip paint off of locomotives or cars to get them ready to be repainted! Hope you enjoy!! […]

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How to strip paint from a locomotive shell

A hand holding a plastic locomotive part in a liquid bath.

Name:    Chris Haon Railroad Name:    LP&CL Railroad Location:    Marietta, GA Scale:    1:29 Theme:    Whimsical Description:    Here is a short video on how I strip paint off of locomotives or cars to get them ready to be repainted! Hope you enjoy!! […]

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A garden railroad for my golden years

The Palmore Pacific

The railway at a glance Name: Palmore Pacific Railroad Size of railroad: 19′ x 50′ Scale: 1:29 Gauge: Nº 1 (45 mm) Era: Modern day (but a steam/diesel excursion train will run from time to time) Theme: Rural small-town USA Age: Construction began December, 2012; Golden Spike driven August, 2013; 95% complete Motive power: USA […]

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Kansas in my backyard

St. Joseph & Grand Island and the Kansas Central

The railways at a glance Names: The St. Joe & Grand Island; The Kansas Central Size: 4,000 square feet Scales: 1:29 (ST&GI); 1:20.3 (KC) Gauge: Nº 1 (45mm) Eras: 1950s and 1870s Themes: ST&GI: Small farming town in Kansas on a connecting line of the Union Pacific in the 1950s as it converted from steam […]

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Build your own wireless DCC system (article bundle)

Build your own wireless DCC system

Mark and Vince Buccini’s series of articles titled “Build your own wireless DCC system” ran in the April, June, and August issues of Garden Railways. It’s been the most-talked about series we’ve done in many years, but it’s also had the most questions. We’re providing the complete set of articles, along with a correction, and […]

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