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Spring 2020

Spring 2020

By Angela Cotey | October 19, 2020

| Last updated on November 3, 2020


Feature Articles

1A0320_11

Steam, Diesels, and Disruption

By Michael E. Iden

Dieselization: The greatest change in 20th century railroading had profound effects on carriers, suppliers, and employees

2B0320_01

Disappearing Railroad Blues

By Don L. Hofsommer

Line abandonments: From a peak of 254,000 miles in 1916, rail routes fell by more than half

3P0320_01

Cheaper by the Thousands

By Jerry A. Pinkepank

Unit trains: A 1959 ICC decision led to more traffic, moved at lower rates

4H0320_02

Temples of Train Travel

By Robert S. McGonigal

Passenger terminals: Great stations rose as the rail industry neared its peak

5F0320_01

Supersize Loads

By Jeff Wilson

Freight cars: Large, specialized freight cars helped the industry win traffic and carry record tonnages

6K0320_01c

Stronger Together

By H. Roger Grant

Mergers: Corporate consolidations changed the landscape of the industry after World War II

7L0320_01

Remote-Control Railroading

By Fred W. Frailey

Centralized traffic control: How a 1920s innovation became part of railroading’s bedrock

8M0320_02

Constraining Commerce

By Michael W. Blaszak

Regulation: Government oversight stifled competition — and promoted safety — for almost a century

9N0320_99

Fulfilling the Promise of Steam

By Kevin P. Keefe

Super Power steam: How a small locomotive builder developed a winning formula for the future

10J0320_015

Black Diamonds from the Great Plains

By Jerry A. Pinkepank

Powder River coal: Demand for low-sulfur coal was a bonanza for Western railroads

11Q0320_21

The Long Good-Bye

By Joe Welsh

Passenger rail’s decline: Railroads saw their virtual monopoly on intercity travel evaporate in the face of automobile and airline competition

12G0320_01

Trains + Photography = TRAINS

By Scott Lothes

Rise of railfan culture: In 1940, a new magazine emerged as a forum for railfans who took pictures of trains

13R0320_01

Strike of the Century

By H. Roger Grant

Shopmen’s Strike of 1922: A widespread job action left a positive legacy

14S0320_03

Colorful Classic

By Karl Zimmermann

Warbonnet paint scheme: Santa Fe’s Warbonnet is an industry icon

15T0320_01

Straighter, Flatter, Faster

By Jerry A. Pinkepank

Railroads rebuild: Railroads upgraded their 19th century plant to handle 20th century traffic

16U0320_02

Partnering with the Enemy

By Fred W. Frailey

Intermodal freight: Railroads regained traffic lost to trucks by hauling trailers and containers

17V0320_07

Upstairs, Downstairs, and in Between

By Kevin J. Holland

Multi-level passenger cars: Innovative car designs added new dimensions to rail travel

18X0320_02

More Freight, Fewer People

By Jerry A. Pinkepank

Labor productivity: Aided by technological advances and sensible work agreements, growth in rail labor productivity has been continual

19Y0320_01a

Reversing Course

By Bob Johnston

Passenger rail’s renaissance: What and who helped bring back passenger rail

20Z0320_01

Down by the Station

By H. Roger Grant

Demise of the depot: Once the center of small town life, country depots gradually faded from the scene

In Every Issue

Welcome

20/20 hindsight for our 20th

Head End

A-B-B-B-B-A = 30,000 h.p. • Russian Decapod, as built • North to Alaska! • Reviews of new books • Army, Topeka & Santa Fe? • Twilight for GN’s electrics • Service, New York Central style

Fast Mail

Letters from readers on our Winter 2019 issue

True Color

Rushing reefers west

Mileposts

Commentary by Kevin P. Keefe on the National Railroad Hall of Fame

The Way It Was

A Day with John W. Barriger • Hudson River Hangover Cure • Farewell to the Hawkeye

Car Stop

Sweeping snow in Chicago

Classics Today

Barriger Library, St. Louis

Bumping Post

IC downsizes in Louisville

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Spring 2020

By Angela Cotey | October 19, 2020

| Last updated on November 3, 2020


Garden Railways has been the leading magazine devoted to the hobby of outdoor, large-scale model railroading for more than 30 years. Each issue brings you step-by-step modeling projects, fascinating photo tours of garden railroads, unbiased product reviews, new product announcements, tips from the experts, and much more!

Plus, subscribers get exclusive online access to the Railroad Gardening Library, product reviews, project plans, bonus articles, and more. Whether you’re new to the hobby or a seasoned veteran, this magazine is for you!

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RENEW

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DIGITAL EDITIONS

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Features

>> 36th National Garden Railway Convention

Preview some of the railroads on tours this year

Risen from the ashes

By Randy Mower

A house fire sparked an opportunity to renovate and improve a railroad

Build a modern flatcar with combine load

By Eric Ogundipe

Plenty of details add to the realism of this 1:29 model

>> Dine on your line

By Nancy Norris

Add a new—and tasty—element to your railway with herbs, fruits, and vegetables

Go figure!

By Rene Schweitzer

Populate your railroad with a variety of people

High tech modeling for garden railroaders

By Steve Berneberg

How to make a wheel using OnShape software

Extra:Video of Nancy Norris’ railroad

Watch a video of Nancy’s railroad in action!

Departments

From the Editor

Getting to know you

Notes & news

Letters

Video 101 Along the line

>> The Giraffe car stretches its neck

Garden railway basics

Wiring basics

Greening your railway

Bigger and better: 7/8n2

Plant portraits

Goji berry

Product reviews

>> PIKO America R/C system
>> Bachmann Percy the Small Engine
>> Pruning Simplified book
Gardener’s Guide to Compact Plants: Edibles & Ornamentals For Small-Space Gardening book
>> Grow Your Own Herbs book

One-page project

Cutting-edge sawmill project

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