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All aboard to meet the LSOL.com Review Crew – the time-tested experts who keep you on track with all the latest news, reviews and how-tos you need for livin’ large-scale.

 
Jon DeKeles
Editor in Chief
He may seem like big bad Jon, but that’s because he’s a man of steel – born with trains and technology in his blood. No surprise he engineered the gene splice that gave birth to LSOL.com.

 
JD Miller
Reviews Editor
The original tinkerer, JD took apart his first watch in 4th grade and now he’s having the time of his life taking apart trains to show you what’s inside.

 
Rick Henderson
Associate Editor
Rick has more model train experience than Jon has years. He's LSOL.com's jack-of-all-trades from almost day one. He's reviewed, sold retail, and built trains, too. He's not grumpy, just focused.

 
Noel Widdifield
Managing Editor
Since he’s a card-carrying member of the NMRA and TCA, we all yield right-of-way to Noel’s expertise when it comes to model railroading.

 
David Bodnar
Electronics Editor
When you’re ready to “Bodnarize” your railroad, David’s the guy who puts the pedal to the metal. Our resident power ranger is all about automation and remote control.

 
Jo Anne
Sales Manager
What’s a nice lady like her, doing with a crew like this? Joanne is the grand dame of discounts. Better yet, she’ll keep your large-scale spending on the QT from spousal units if you ask politely.


Important Things I've Learned from my Garden Railroad

Robert Johnson: Here in coastal southern Delaware things tend to get salt encrusted with that damp salt sea air, even worse when wind off ocean! I swear by my SS track for my garden railroad! Well worth the 20% extra cost.

William Orf: I've had a garden railroad for over 20 years using brass track and ONE electrical connection point for over 500 feet of LGB track. Once a year I sand the rails with #600 grit sandpaper and then touch them up with a track-cleaning car. Last year I decided to purchase AristoCraft stainless track for the sections of my gaden railroad that corrode most. In one year, sections of the Aristo track are RUSTED quite a bit. I've been too busy to take the sections back out, put in other brass sections, box the stainless up, send them back, and see what happens next. But I'm surprised and disappointed. So as for me, brass is the best I've used and proven.

Willie Horn: I use brass track. I started out with LGB but it was so high I started using Aristo brass track for my garden trains. After three years out side the Aristo track is brittle and falling apart. I am having to replace the ties with LGB ties because LGB ties seem to handled the sun better. I wish I had just paid the higher price and stayed with LGB.

Warren Monroe: Of the three brands of SS track or my garden railroad, I prefer the H&R SS because it is easier to work (even 'tho it's more expensive). The worst experience has been with the Aristo SS which takes on a twist with every bend - taking out the twist changes the bend, etc., etc., etc.!


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Important Topics


Bridges

Buildings

Couplers

Getting Started

Grades

How Garden Trains Work

Live Steam

Wheels

Who Makes the Best Garden Trains?

Jack Burns: After much internet searching, questioning those with experience and looking in to all the best possibilities for a newcomer to start out, I have come to the conclusion that AristoCraft has the best stainless track and economical rail equipment. Most companies have some good features but I find them not quite as good as AristoCraft overall. The fact that AristoCraft has, what appears to be very competitive prices, also influenced my choice. I will be starting out with a complete AristoCraft layout and equipment for my garden trains.

Mike Evans: It's hard to single out only one manufacturer for best products, price, etc. Certainly LGB maintains the lead in overall quality. But I own several Bachmann locomotives and am pleased with both their detail and low cost. For track and control components, AristoCraft can't be beat. Garden trains may soon rival HO for variety and the numerous small firms getting into the more specialized areas. There are also many links out there to a lot of information, particularly LSOL with their weekly informative articles.

John Pletcher: I have garden trains from Bachmann, USA Trains and AristoCraft. As of yet I have not had to call customer service for anything as all has worked beautifully. It is really nice to see a ever expanding product offerings with great detail. As far as picking a best manufacturer of the year, that is tough since each garden trains manufacturer is tops in their prospective product nitches. One thing for sure, with all the wonderful offerings, it will give the large-scale railroad community more ammunition to attract more people into the hobby.

Jon D. Miller: Since I model in narrow gauge, Bachmann gets my vote for the best garden trains. The attention to detail on their Spectrum line is without equal. Dollar for dollar when comparing detail and fidelity to a prototype then Bachmann is great value for out of pocket cost.



Garden Railroad Builder's Logs
There is no better way to share your railroad than with a GRBLOGS. Garden Railroad Builder's Logs is a new blog service of LSOL.com. You can post information in an easy-to-use blog format as often as you like to keep people updated on the developments of your Garden Railroad. Keep your projects organized online in individual projects and show your photos, videos and more online for the whole world to see. Plus you can read other blogs and comment on all the exciting GRBLOGS that others have posted at the site.

Come see the first, the original and the best web blog dedicated to Garden Railroads. Remember: Some people talk about what they are going to do, and others actually do it. Come show people what you have done.

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