Sweet woodruff

train next to green bush

Common name: Sweet woodruff Latin name: Galium odoratum, syn. Asperula odorata Plant type: Perennial USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9 (sheltered or near the house in Zone 3) Cultural needs: Shade or partial shade, moist (even wet) soil Plant size: 6-12″ high, spreading quickly to 9-12″ wide Do you have a rather large shady spot in need […]

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Meccano Erector set locomotive kit

erector1

Gary Raymond Large scale (no scale specified), gauge 1, locomotive construction kitMeccano363 Avenue de Saint ExuperyF-62100 CalaisFrancePrice: $65.99 at Toys-R-UsWebsite: www.meccano.com Erector Special Edition #83-0506E, non-scale-specific construction set for a couple of different 1-gauge locomotives (as well as a rocket, submarine, or four other vehicles); all necessary parts with instruction booklet included (except 4 AA […]

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Ozark Miniatures bobber caboose kit

caboose1

G. Erhart 1:20.3 scale, gauge 1, two-axle bobber cabooseOzark Miniatures3461 S 5225 WCedar City UT 84720Price: $130.80 Website: www.ozarkminiatures.comWood-and-metal kit for constructing a freelance bobber caboose; laser-cut wooden parts; white-metal castings; plastic window panes; Sierra Valley wheels; link-and-pin couplers. Dimensions: length, 8½” over couplers; width, 4½”; height, 8½” to top of smokejack. In 1:20.3 scale, […]

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The Ambledown Valley Railway

ambledown_valley

Fairford, a Lynton & Barnstaple Manning Wardle 2-6-2T on the embankment and bridge between Hinton Magnolia tunnel and Higher Buxton. On the left of the line is Juniperus communis ‘Compressa’. Near it grow the red, fleshy leaves of a Sempervivum sp. Opposite, on the other side of the line, the bronze winter color of Cryptomeria […]

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Glossary of steam locomotive terms

CS1-L1111_31

Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac 4-8-4 No. 602, named Governor Thomas Jefferson, rushes an 18-car passenger train toward Washington, D.C., near Four Mile Run, Va., in June 1940. C. W. Whitbeck Back pressure Back pressure is caused by the resistance of the exhaust steam exiting the cylinders. Overcoming this resistance represents negative work done by the […]

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Handcar and tool shed drawings in 1:29 scale

Handcar and tool shed drawings in 1:29 scale

Download the PDF of this project here. This PDF is formatted to print on your home printer. Most pieces are formatted to fit on a 8.5″ x 11″ piece of paper. For larger parts of the plan, you will see “break lines.” Line up the break lines to create the larger piece. Despite our best […]

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Accucraft East Broad Top Mikado

accucraft_mikado1

Kevin Strong Vital statistics 1:20.3 scale, gauge 1, live-steam East Broad Top Mikado Accucraft Trains33268 Central Ave.Union City CA 94587Price: $3,499 (live steam); $2,999 (electric)Website: www.accucraft.com All metal, live steam, 1:20.3-scale model of East Broad Top Nº 12; minimum radius, 4’; butane fired; sight glass; water pump in tender; fully sprung drivers; working Walschaerts valve […]

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Laser-activated circuit for controlling electronic switch motors

laseractive

Kevin Strong Vital statistics Laser-activated circuit for controlling electronic switch motorsUnionville DepotE-mail: queries@unionvilledepot.com  Price: SC-11 1-coil (2-wire) switch machine controller, $39; LP-10 laser pointer, $18Website: www.unionvilledepot.com Pros: Simple installation and operationCons: Difficult for laser to register on the controller in sunlight; circuit board not weatherproof If you’ve got switches on your railroad, you need some […]

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Re-gear kit for Bachmann’s K-27

gearbox

Kevin Strong Vital statistics Re-gear kit for Bachmann K-27R and K Railroad Products16722 Dakota Dr.Leavenworth KS 66048Price: $140 Website: www.randkrailroadproducts.com Add-on gearbox for Bachmann K-27; requires disassembly and reassembly of engine; motor must be sent in to be fitted with new gearbox Pros: Robust construction; smooth operation allows for very controlled speeds on a variety […]

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