The Ultimate G Scale Portability Hack: Folding Beer Pong Tables as Layout Bases Every large-scale model railroader knows the double-edged sword of G Scale: the trains look absolutely magnificent, but setting up a temporary or traveling layout can be an absolute bear. Traditionally, you have two choices: pack around heavy, custom-built wooden modular tables thatContinue reading “G Scale Portability Hack”
Author Archives: dcrrsophie
Garden Trains versus Modular Layouts
Two Worlds of Model Railroading: G Scale in the Garden vs. Indoor Modular Layouts Model railroading is one of the few hobbies that can live comfortably both indoors and out, but the experience changes dramatically depending on where—and how—you run your trains. Nowhere is that contrast more apparent than between G scale trains running outdoorsContinue reading “Garden Trains versus Modular Layouts”
November
What did we do in November? We did nothing at all – at least not train related. November is sort of the lull before the storm that is the period from Thanksgiving until New Year’s Day. For many of us, it is the time to start looking at our stash of Christmas decorations and judgingContinue reading “November”
Winter Doldrums
Sigh. So many projects and so little desire to get out in the cold and the muck to work on them. One thing about living in coastal North Carolina is that we do not really get a “Winter”. Years ago I lived in New England and the Engineer was raised in Michigan. You knew itContinue reading “Winter Doldrums”
Selma Railroad Days
Nobody puts on a parade like a small Southern town, such as the one for the 50th Annual Selma Railroad Days Festival. Their golden anniversary celebration was the largest in its history, and the crowds were there to help this small town (population ~7000) show its appreciation for its railroad heritage. On May 1, 1867,Continue reading “Selma Railroad Days”
Happy Daisy Train Show
The Tidewater Big Train Operators returned to the Happy Daisy Garden Center in Elizabeth City for another spectacular train show, bringing with them an impressive array of models and displays that captivated visitors of all ages. Setup was done early on Friday, October 17th, as the dedicated team meticulously arranged the tracks and ensured eachContinue reading “Happy Daisy Train Show”
“G” Is For Garden
Garden Train (ɡärdən trān) A garden railroad is a model railway set up outdoors in a garden. We run G gauge trains in ours. A garden is “a piece of ground, usually close to a house, for growing vegetables, fruits, flowers, ornamental shrubs or trees, etc.” Our yard is laid out unusually. We live in aContinue reading ““G” Is For Garden”
Christmas Eve Open Train Yard 2024
We started running trains on Christmas Eve the first year the Engineer and I were dating. We have an “open yard” for anyone who cared to drop by. It started when we lived in a small community that had a combination hayride/caroling ride. The Engineer drove the tractor that pulled the hay wagon with theContinue reading “Christmas Eve Open Train Yard 2024”
Happy Daisy Garden Center
We have a new location for putting on train shows – the Happy Daisy Garden Center in Elizabeth City, NC. With the closure of White’s Nursery in Chesapeake VA earlier this year the Tidewater Big Train Operators (TBTO) club lost a venue where we had been setting up smaller shows for over a decade. TheContinue reading “Happy Daisy Garden Center”
RIP White’s Nursery
“To Our Valued Customers & Friends We gave our best effort to keep White’s Nursery & Garden Center going. It is with heavy hearts that we announce we will not be reopening. Thank you for 68 years of support.” White’s Old Mill Garden Center A sad day for the Tidewater Big Train Operators club andContinue reading “RIP White’s Nursery”
Dismal Creek Railroad 