Choosing rail for the garden railroad

Garden Railways

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 […]

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Garden railroading/Large-scale railroading terms

Garden Railways

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 […]

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Garden-railway etiquette for visitors

The Gateway Garden Railroad Club's modular layout

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 […]

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Garden railroading/Large-scale railroading terms

Garden Railways

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 […]

Read More…

Choosing rail for the garden railroad

Garden Railways

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 […]

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Basics of gauge-1 switches, part 2

Marc Horovitz Marc Horovitz Marc Horovitz Marc Horovitz Marc Horovitz Keeping dirt and debris out of the moving points is imperative to proper operation. The author uses a stiff brush to keep things moving freely through an operating session. Kevin Strong The frog and guardrail flangeways—like the points—need to be kept clear. These areas aren’t […]

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Build a 1:22.5-scale creamery car PDF

Build a 1:22.5-scale creamery car

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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Aristo-Craft Revolution system

Aristo-Craft Revolution system

Kevin Strong Wireless control system Aristo-Craft Trains698 S. 21st St.Irvington NJ 07111Web site: www.aristocraft.comPrice: $300; additional receivers, $105 2.4GHz wireless control system for use with track or battery power; receiver rated for 5 amps continuous, 8 amps peak power Pros: Can be used with either track or battery power; simple installation (plug-and-play in some instances; […]

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Irish narrow gauge in the garden

Neil Ramsay’s garden railway

Bo-bo diesel, built for the West Clare Railway in 1955, with two six-wheel saloon carriages in CIE livery, waits at the station on Neil Ramsay’s railway. Marc Horovitz avan and Leitrim train in the livery of the nationalized Irish transport system, Coras Iompair Eireann, or CIE. The sea of tiny, green leaves, replicating Ireland’s plains […]

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Build a 1:24-scale baggage car PDF

Build a 1:24-scale baggage car

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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Build your own large-scale turnouts

Please note:In Steve Monson’s article on building switches in the June 2009 issue, there was an error on page 47. In the table called “Rail lengths (inches),” the entry for #5 closure/point rails should read “16 3/4.” We regret this error and any inconvenience it may have caused. Steve Monson This article will show you […]

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