Find all the fundamental building blocks you need to plan, build, and enjoy a successful backyard rail empire in Garden Railway Basics: From concept to construction to upkeep. Ten years of sage advice from Garden Railways magazine columnist Kevin Strong -- a lifelong modeler -- has been updated and compiled into one of the most comprehensive reference tools available. Learn how to: *

This comprehensive collection of informative articles from Garden Railways magazine addresses the main topics of the hobby such as site considerations, developing a plan, landscaping, trackwork, power, and gardening.

Offers easy-to-follow techniques for installing sturdy trackwork, fitting the roadbed, laying track, and finishing with lineside details.

Increase your knowledge and skills with tips for designing, planning, and installing a layout; landscaping with natural materials; adding drama with structures, bridges, and trestles; and designing and installing water features.

Learn the model-making process from start to finish, including the best ways to choose scale, wheels, motors, and track layout. Get advice for building steam engines, locomotives, and passenger cars, and discover fresh ideas and inspiration for your own LEGO train designs. Inside you'll find: -A historical tour of LEGO trains -Step-by-step building instructions for models of the German Inter-City Express (ICE), the Swiss “Crocodile,” and a vintage passenger car -Tips for controlling your trains with transformers, receivers, and motors -Advice on advanced building tech­niques like SNOT (studs not on top), micro­striping, creating textures, and making offset connections -Case studies of the design process -Ways to use older LEGO pieces in modern designs For ages 10+

"Whether you're using traditional, direct current (DC) cab control or the latest Digital Command Control (DCC) system [this] will guide you through the steps of planning and wiring a layout. With ... more modelers choosing DCC, this book will help demystify how it works; clarify the advantages of DCC and what makes it different from DC control; and, teach you how to convert an existing DC layout to DCC. Step-by-step instructions and photos are coupled with clear, color-coded diagrams that will guide you through the process of wiring a complete layout or just troubleshooting problem areas"--

Acquire more space for scenery and longer mainline runs with multiple decks. Tony Koester walks you through design options, lighting and wiring considerations, and the all-important construction process and techniques.

Get started with Digital Command Control (DCC)! This beginning how-to guide covers the basics, with an overview of DCC, track wiring, cab bus wiring, and converting an existing layout to DCC. Written by Mike Polsgrove, Model Railroader's columnist on DCC.