Category Description: Various scales for modeling railroads in backyards.
A Growing Garden Empire
Model Railroader 2006-08 pg. 64 Scale: G Author: Cody Grivno
The article features many photos and a garden design plan for this 75' by 80' layout.
Aquatics Have Wet Feet
Garden Railways 2008-08 pg. 37 Scale: G Author: Nancy Norris
How to build and maintain a water feature that doesn't turn into an algae pond. Includes a listing of plants that are good for a water feature. The article concludes with information about how to build a pondless water feature.
Building a Garden Railway Part I
Railroad Model Craftsman 1991-06 pg. 48 Scale: G Author: Christopher P. D'Amato
The first installment describes why and how the author got started in building a garden railroad. It covers the design of the track plan and the garden (including a list of plants used), and the start of the project.
Building a Garden Railway Part II
Railroad Model Craftsman 1991-07 pg. 72 Scale: G Author: Christopher P. D'Amato
In this installment the author will start the construction phase of his garden railroad. It covers preparing the ground, ballasting, incorporating a tunnel, dealing with grades, incorporating a mountain, building a retaining wall and bridge supports, planting plants, and structures.
Building a Garden Railway Part III
Railroad Model Craftsman 1991-08 pg. 72 Scale: G Author: Christopher P. D'Amato
The author continues his series on how he built his garden railroad. This installment covers wiring and finishing the layout, including powering the railroad, wiring a reverse loop, wiring a double-slip switch, A.C. wiring, burying wires, structure wiring, and the control panel.
Designing a Garden Railway for Live-steam Locomotives
Garden Railways 2005-12 pg. 112 Scale: G Author: Jeff Young
Consider height, gradients, curve radius, and locomotive servicing when you are designing a garden railroad that will or might include live-steam.
How to Build Real Stone Walls & Bridges part 1
Garden Railways 2009-04 pg. 61 Scale: G Author: Ray R. Dunakin III
In this installment, the author describes how to prepare for and build a stone retaining wall.
Jack Verducci's Garden Layout
Model Railroader 2000-04 pg. 95 Scale: G Author: George Hall
This layout encompasses an area of 65 by 100 feet in Jack's backyard. It models the California narrow gauge set in the 1930's. Although he started in N-scale, he quickly discovered G-scale and now runs live steam locomotives on his layout. The article includes many photos and a trackplan of this large layout.
Mary Cay's Christmas Gondola
Railroad Model Craftsman 2011-12 pg. 54 Scale: Author: Wayne Wesolowski
Building a Christmas planter that looks like a gondola.
Miniature Landscape Plants for Warmer Regions
Garden Railways 2009-04 pg. 72 Scale: G Author: Don Parker
The author discusses some plants that useful for garden railroading in the southern tier states of the U.S.
Miniature Trees for Warmer Climates
Garden Railways 2008-08 pg. 81 Scale: Author: Don Parker
Various plants are discussed that should handle the southern U.S. states' weather.
Quarter-size Traction
Railroad Model Craftsman 1977-07 pg. 64 Scale: Large Scale Author: Spike Brown
Gordon Hatch's backyard has a traction layout with 450 feet of steel rail, measuring 75' by 79'. Article includes model photos and prototype traction photos.
Small Scale Outdoors
Garden Railways 2009-04 pg. 82 Scale: Author: Peter Jones
Consider using O-scale and smaller trains in your garden railroad as well.
Step Up To Terraces
Garden Railways 2009-04 pg. 29 Scale: G Author: Nancy Norris
The author describes how to design and build a garden railroad that is on a steep incline with multiple levels. Several examples are shown.
The Comanche & Indian Gap RR
Model Railroader 1997-07 pg. 75 Scale: Large Scale Author: Peter B. Bryan
Garden railroading to the extreme! This large-scale layout has 7,892 feet of single mainline that is set in 35 acres in the central Texas Hill Country. With locomotives weighing in at 1,800 lbs and hopper cars filled with ballast tipping the scales at 600 lbs, this is just about as close to real railroading as one can get.
The Magical Side of Gardening
Garden Railways 2005-12 pg. 93 Scale: G Author: Don Parker
Ways to make garden railroading more whimsical and less serious.