Scratchbuild an operating coal tower

model coaling tower

If your garden railroad is set in the steam or steam-to-diesel transition era, it’s going to need a coal tower. When I started to gather rolling stock and build my railroad in 2013, there were no commercial coal towers on the market. The only existing product was from Pola, but I couldn’t find one on […]

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Four basic subterrain scenery methods

Hands wearing blue plastic gloves placing white plaster sheets over model train scenery made from pink insulation board, brown crumpled paper, and blue masking tape.

Modelers have tried many different scenery methods. While each person has their own favorite techniques and preferences, there are several good, time-tested starting points for building scenery. The four most common include the cardboard strip method, the stacked foamboard system, the tape and stuffing option, and the time-honored wire screen and plaster technique. While all […]

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Model trains for the 19th century

Color photo of steam locomotive and train passing over wood trestle and truss bridge.

Q: Many of Model Railroader’s articles, reviews, and advertisements focus on products representing the “modern” era, say the 1940s to the present. That’s OK, and much of your audience obviously enjoys modeling contemporary railroading. However, I’m interested in modeling the railroad industry as it was in the 19th century. Can you suggest the names of […]

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The pros and cons of lichen

Color photo of Z scale Milwaukee Road EMD GP9s emerging from tunnel in a scene with fall foliage.

Q: I have a question regarding using lichen to simulate vegetation on a layout. My basement is clean but unfinished, so the wood floor joists overhead and the concrete walls are all visible. The basement isn’t particularly humid, but it isn’t climate controlled either. There are the occasional spiders and cobwebs, as is normal in […]

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Finding the right freight cars

Color photo of three HO scale freight cars.

As many of you know, my primary modeling interest is the early days of the Burlington Northern (1970-1974) in Crookston, Minn., my hometown. One of the rail-served industries that has long intrigued me is the Otter Tail Power Co. (OTPCO) power plant. The 10,000 kilowatt plant, which hugged the banks of the Red Lake River […]

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Irish yew

Irish yew grows in the forground of the image. In the background, garden rail track can be seen, alongside a model caboose structure and rocks

Common name: Irish yew Botanical name: Taxus baccata ‘Fastigiata’ Plant type: Dwarf conifer USDA Hardiness Zones: 6-9 Cultural needs: Well-drained soil, sun or shade Plant size: 6-8′ high x 2-3′ wide in 10 years, easily pruned Discovered in Northern Ireland in 1780, Taxus baccata ‘Fastigiata’ is an easy-to-grow evergreen conifer for railroad gardeners. Like a […]

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