Garden Railways

Have you always wanted to run your own railway? Does your indoor model railway leave you with a desire to fill your nostrils with the smell of steam and hot oil on a winter's morning? If the answer to any of these questions is 'yes' then you probably need to build yourself a garden railway, and you certainly need to read this book! Peter Jones is one of the best-known names in the world of garden railways. In this highly illustrated book he guides you through the exciting world of model trains in your garden, from small-scale electric-powered locomotives to live-steam engines capable of carrying passengers, helping the reader to decide on what type of railway would be right, and passing on countless tips for the successful execution of the grand project.The only book you will need to guide you through the exciting world of model trains in your garden.Superbly illustrated with 365 colour photographs and illustrations.Peter Jones is one of the best-known names in the world of garden railways.

"The material in this book has previously appeared as articles in Garden Railway magazine"--T.p. verso.

Written by an acknowledged expert, this practical book is essential reading for all those railway modellers who wish to build a bridge or a viaduct for their layout. This new book contains in-depth descriptions and photographs of bridges located around Britain (and one in New Zealand), ranging from the small to the monumental, from which the modeller can gain ideas and draw inspiration. As an essential aid to modelling, the constituent parts of the bridges are described as well as the engineering principles that make them 'work' and the materials from which they are built. Step-by-step instructions and photographs depict the construction in plasticard of five models: a simple girder bridge; a truss-girder bridge; a masonry arch bridge; a plate-girder bridge; and a viaduct. The book covers prototype research, taking measurements, modelling materials and tools, and examines the finishing process, including different ways of applying paint and weathering powders in order to make your model look authentic. Fully illustrated with over 500 colour photographs and diagrams.

In railway modelling, getting the technical components correct is essential for a realistic-looking layout but, unfortunately, these often present the biggest challenges for the hobbyist. Using his own experience as a railway modeller and electronics engineer, Andrew Duckworth provides a guide suitable for all railway modellers, from beginners to the more experienced. With instructions on how and where to use specialist electronic circuits to enhance your layout, this book will help you to achieve a reasonably sophisticated layout. It provides: an overview of the geometry required for building successful model railways; clear explanations of electronics and electrical components; comparisons of direct control and digital command control (DCC); step-by-step instructions for wiring the track, signals, buildings and lighting; reviews of electrical systems, power supplies, wires and cable, control panels and switches and finally, it covers detection, testing and troubleshooting tips.

Make your garden as great as your outdoor railroad! This comprehensive book covers designing and planning the railway garden, selecting plants, as well as mastering the special needs of miniature plants for considerations like hardiness zones, watering, fertilization, pruning, and controlling pests.

Learn the basics of garden railroading with this booklet offering tips on choosing plants to arranging the track to best suit the terrain of your yard.

At some time during ownership a train set crosses an arbitrary threshold and becomes a model railway. The aspiring modeler then has the challenge of filling in all the gaps. Whether the line runs through the countryside, a village or town, some type of infrastructure is needed to represent the station, home, or factory. This can be a challenge to the modeler as there are a wide variety of offerings at differing price points and detail levels. This book progresses through planning and thought processes aiming to demonstrate pictorially several different build types. From the simple paper kit to mighty scratch-built edifices, each is broken down to show how the build is undertaken. This book also follows some of the rebuilding process undertaken by the Market Deeping Model Railway Club as layouts were repaired, enhanced, or replaced following their annual show being vandalized on the night before public opening in May 2019. As the news of this sad event broke, it went worldwide through the modeling community and public in general. The images of layouts broken to matchwood showed many years of skilled building and devoted operation which were lost. This gave the opportunity for experienced club members to build a mini movie set, construct a major London terminus and patch repair what could be saved from damaged originals. The photographic capture of these projects has been used within this book alongside the detailed work of other modelers, clubs, and societies.

Whether in a rural or urban setting, the addition of railway infrastructure can transform a train set into a railway layout. Modelling Tunnels, Embankments, Walls and Fences for Model Railways demonstrates how to build these essential features and place them into a railway layout. It describes the unique challenges, techniques and materials for each element, and provides plenty of practical advice on how to realistically model these crucial aspects of a landscape. Topics include: incorporating topographical features into a layout, from planning to execution; the importance of baseboard construction and track laying when modelling a landscape; practical considerations and techniques for building tunnels; the use of vegetation, animals and small buildings to bring layouts to life and finally, the use of ready-to-plant items, and kit- and scratch-building techniques. An essential guide to creating realistic infrastructure that will be of great interest to railway modellers who have progressed to the stage of making their own scenery and geographical features. Superbly illustrated with 330 colour photographs.