Southern Pacific’s Golden State meets the Sunset Limited

Gadsden Pacific Toy Train Museum

Name: Robert Mayer Forum User Name: bobntrains Railroad Name: San Diego 3 Railers, Paradise & Pacific, Gadsden Pacific Toy Train Museum Location: San Diego Ca., Scottsdale Az., Tucson Az. Scale: O Theme: Southwest Description: This video takes the viewer on a journey with Southern Pacific’s Golden State and Sunset Limited through the southwest. […]

Read More…

Southern Pacific’s Golden State meets the Sunset Limited

Gadsden Pacific Toy Train Museum

Name: Robert Mayer Forum User Name: bobntrains Railroad Name: San Diego 3 Railers, Paradise & Pacific, Gadsden Pacific Toy Train Museum Location: San Diego Ca., Scottsdale Az., Tucson Az. Scale: O Theme: Southwest Description: This video takes the viewer on a journey with Southern Pacific’s Golden State and Sunset Limited through the southwest. […]

Read More…

Remembering Pennsylvania Railroad locomotives

A close up black and white photo of a PRR 1737

Classic Trains editors are celebrating the heritage, history, and lore of famed (and infamous) railroads. In January 2020, we celebrate the Pennsylvania Railroad. Please enjoy a collection of locomotive images located in the David P. Morgan Library archives at Kalmbach Media that include the Pennsy’s iconic locomotives and classic scenic photos. You might also enjoy […]

Read More…

HO scale Stockton & Copperopolis

HOscaleStocktonCopperopolis

  The layout at a glance Name: Stockton & Copperopolis RR Layout designer: Don Ball Scale: HO (1:87) Size: 37′-0″ x 40′-3″ Prototype: Stockton & Copperopolis RR Locale: California Era: 1895 Style: linear walkaround Mainline run: 240 feet Branchline run: 100 feet Minimum radius: 30″ Minimum turnout: no. 6 Maximum grade: 2 percent Train length: […]

Read More…

A model railroad that turns the clock back to 1895

MRR012720Stockton01

Why would anyone model the Stockton & Copperopolis, an obscure short line with a name that sounds made up? Or model this little-known prototype in the 1890s? Most importantly, would it be practical to build it as a large, prototypically faithful model railroad capable of realistic operation and equip it with authentic locomotives and rolling […]

Read More…

2020 Railroad Hobby Show report

logoamherstrailroadshow300x214

The 2020 Amherst Railway Society Railroad Hobby Show is being held Jan. 25 and 26 at The Eastern States Exposition Fairgrounds in West Springfield, Mass. The two-day show, now in its 52nd year, features model railroad manufacturers, railroad historical societies, vendors, and clinics. Athearn Genesis 2.0 HO scale EMD SD80MAC diesel locomotive HO scale locomotives […]

Read More…

Bigger and better: 7/8n2 in the garden

78n2_1

The author and several helpers modeled the Alhambra Trestle over the course of three years. A 7/8″ Fairymead pulls Dave Frediani cars past 22 Japanese maples, both dwarf and semi-dwarf, back to the caboose. Nancy Norris After decades of building and maintaining garden railways, I’ve built my own railway for low maintenance and live-steam access. […]

Read More…

Goji berry

goji_berry

Nancy Norris Common name: Goji berry, wolfberry, Chinese boxthorn Latin name: Lycium barbarum, L. chinense Plant type: Perennial USDA Hardiness Zones: 6-9 for L. barbarum, 4-9 for L. chinense Cultural needs: Well-drained, high pH (alkaline) soil, full sun Plant size: 5-8′, easily pruned to stay 2-3′ as in photo Nurseries stock Goji berry plants more […]

Read More…

Bachmann Percy the Small Engine

percy1

Bill Zuback Manufacturer Bachmann Trains 1400 East Erie Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19124 bachmanntrains.com Price: $399 Era: 1949 to present Paint schemes: With sound and moving eyes: Percy the Small Engine and Thomas the Tank Engine ($399 each). With moving eyes only: Emily ($429), James the Red Engine ($389), Percy the Small Engine ($319), Thomas the […]

Read More…

Gardener’s Guide to Compact Plants: Edibles & Ornamentals For Small-Space Gardening

compact_plants_book

Gardener’s Guide to Compact Plants: Edibles & Ornamentals For Small-Space Gardening By Jessica Walliser Published by Cool Springs Press Available in the US from: The Quarto Group 100 Cummins Center, Suite 265D Beverly, MA 01915 7″ x 9″ 296 pages Hardcover Price: $24.99 Researching choices for the “garden” half of garden railways means organization. Lists […]

Read More…