First Snow in G-Scale Garden Train Land - 12-11-16

Blog Entry and photos by Bob

First Snow

...and so it begins...

Snowfall. 

One of the main reasons a new layout had to be created this year  was to hopefully elevate the layout to allow the trains to be run under all sorts of winter weather.  The temperature today was around freezing,  making it great weather for taking pictures.  I managed to get the train to go around a couple of times before problems developed. The friction of the wheels heated up the snow only to refreeze it as ice balls around the wheels.  With my bare hands operating the camera,  I think it was a race to see what froze first.  I am looking forward to getting out again for a re-match with the winter weather.

Autumn Trains in G-Scale Garden Train Land - Part 3 - 11-27-16

Blog Entry & Photos by Bob


I have managed to place a couple of train stations and a passenger platform.  I feel bad for the people waiting for the train since this line does not run any passenger cars.  I wired up those buildings and a small community of houses on the hill.  My workshop is full of broken buildings that I am slowing rebuilding and wir and hopefully our community will grow again soon.

Autumn Trains in G-Scale Garden Train Land - Part 2 - 11-27-16

Blog entry & photos by Bob

The sun was very nice today creating harsh shadows and glowing brightness.  Luckily, the ground was not too wet to kneel down to get the perfect shot.  Still trying to decide whether to leave the solar lights out all winter or bring them in.  They are $1 lights so I might risk them all and replace in the spring if I have too.  We had our first snow-fall the other night but everything was gone by the next day so we will have to wait a bit longer for snow pictures.  I am very thankful for this warm day since bad weather has been keeping my away from my trains.

Autumn Trains in G-Scale Garden Train Land - Part 1 - 11/27/16

(Blog Entry and photos by Bob)


With all the home improvement projects we have completed over the last couple of months, there has been little time to run trains.  With the sun setting by 5:30pm every night I did take a series of night photos and videos but they turned out terrible.  Setting aside a beautiful Sunday, I ran three trains and took a lot of pictures.


The first two photographs are of the track before I cleared it to show the difference compared to 2014 (Fall 2014 in G-Scale Land Garden Railroad Layout - October 25, 2014).  The raised track is clearing itself of the leaves extremely well.  I only had to complete a short walk-around to check for squirrel nut shells.


The remainder of the pictures are of driving the trains out onto the layout.  I did not have any problems today with de-railments, dead batteries or monsters destroying the world (maybe next time).

Winona Open House - Part 3 - G-Scale Garden Train Railway - August 27, 2016

Blog entry and photos by Bob

It is fantastic to go to an open house to talk to other operators.  Working on your own layout you sometimes become isolated and single minded with making decisions and solving problems.  Many times there is something not right on a layout and it is my responsibly to fix it.  After weathering our locomotives and railcars, it was enlightening to see how others have done the same task.  Just the opportunity to ask, 'How did you do that?' is so beneficial.  Also, to discover what layouts people have built in their backyards, garages or basements. To find out how they keep it all running with different power supplies and track clearing methods.  I love talking about weeds because it has been our biggest problem in the layout.  In conclusion, it is comforting to know one is not alone in taking on mother-nature for the sole purpose of watching a little train go around in a backyard.

Winona Open House - Part 2 - G-Scale Train - August 27, 2016

Blog Entry & Photos by Bob

When we arrived at the beginning of the day, there was one diesel locomotive travelling the upper loop.  Shortly after, there was three operators fighting for a spot with an additional electric steam just starting up the lower loop.  Being able to run your trains on another person's layout is one of the best feelings.  To see your locomotive challenging the grade or venturing across your friend's bridge gets your imagination reeling. The Winona Garden Railway's 40 Creek Bridge is over 20 feet long and 5 feet high and is exhilarating to run.  With previous open houses, I have loaded up my locomotives and pretended they had travelled through the night to a distant rail line.  Feeling proud as spectators snap pictures and take videos of my little trains.  But today, I still enjoyed being the one who was taking the pictures and complimenting their operators.