Model-Railroad Garden

Tips for creating miniature landscapes for model railroads.

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Filed under: Outdoor Spaces, Backyard

Themed gardens can be quite fun to design, build and maintain. Not only do they provide a unique challenge in staying true to the theme as the garden matures, but they also create an interesting discussion point whenever you have visitors to the garden. One such theme garden is the railroad garden of Jack Hahn in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

So why create a railroad garden? "I got a Lionel set when I was six years old, and that's how it started," says Jack. "I have been fascinated by trains ever since then. I grew up on the main line of the Chesapeake and Ohio in central Ohio and loved to see the trains go by."

Elements of a railroad garden

Train set. A critical element to a railroad garden is the railroad itself. Jack recommends using model trains that are sized G-scale or G-gauge (the "G" is an abbreviation of the German word for "large"). Because they're so large and durable, these types are best suited for the outdoors. The buildings and tracks can remain outside all year long, but, like most electronics, they need to be stationed under cover during wet weather. Jack has had four feet of snow on his railroad tracks before with no problems. "There's not much upkeep other than the birds tend to drop things on the track." Start small so you don't get overwhelmed; build up the garden as you gain more confidence.

Plants. Opt for low-growing and dwarf plants where their height in the miniature landscape is comparable to the pint-sized railroad. This is also a good opportunity for bonsai. Attention to detail is important in keeping the illusion of a little big world.

Unique background features. Give the railroad a background context so it's incorporated into the landscape. A pond with a waterfall can add a nice setting for the train to travel through. Jack hid an unsightly cinderblock wall by painting a mural on it. Buildings and figures can be purchased at model shops, toy stores or gift shops and placed into the display.

Who says the entire garden has to conform to scale? Create a land of giant reptiles or garden gnomes. No matter how absurd, each little area can tell its own story. As long as you use your imagination, your fun will never run out of steam.