Garden Railways Magazine: A Legacy of Large-Scale Outdoor Railroading
For decades, Garden Railways (GR) served as the premier global authority on the hobby of garden railroading—the art of operating large-scale model trains in outdoor environments. From its humble beginnings as a niche newsletter to its status as the world's leading publication in the field, the magazine provided a vital hub for enthusiasts to share technical knowledge, horticultural tips, and artistic inspiration.
Throughout its publication history, Garden Railways offered a comprehensive mix of hobby news, detailed product reviews, and "how-to" guides. It also celebrated the creativity of the community by featuring photo galleries and detailed profiles of garden railroads from across the globe.
Key Facts
- Founded: 1984 by Marc Horovitz.
- Focus: Large-scale outdoor model trains (garden railroading).
- Publication Span: December 1984 to September 2020.
- Final Publisher: Kalmbach Media Co.
- Legacy: Sponsored the first Garden Railway Convention in 1985.
The Evolution of a Publication
From Newsletter to Magazine
The magazine originated from the Sidestreet Banner, a newsletter produced by Sidestreet Bannerworks. This precursor focused primarily on small-scale live-steam locomotives—trains powered by actual steam—which the company was importing at the time. In December 1984, this evolved into the first official issue of Garden Railways, with Marc Horovitz serving as Editor and Barbara Horovitz as Horticultural Editor.
Technological Transitions
The early production of Garden Railways reflected the era's technological constraints. The first issues were printed in black-and-white, with text generated on a typewriter. By 1985, the staff adopted a primitive IBM computer and a daisy-wheel printer. This allowed for justified columns of text, which were printed in strips and pasted by hand onto layouts in a traditional manual process.
Visual identity evolved alongside the technology. The May–June 1986 issue introduced the arched title on the cover, which became a trademark of the brand. Full-color covers debuted in the November–December 1986 issue, with color gradually expanding into the interior pages over time.
Staffing and Community Impact
Expert Guidance in Gardening and Railroading
Because garden railroading requires a blend of engineering and botany, the magazine employed dedicated gardening editors. Petria MacDonnell became the first gardening editor in 1986, followed by Chip Rosenblum, Barbara Abler, and Don Parker. Later, Pat Hayward served from 1997 to 2008, and Nancy Norris joined the staff in 2008.
The magazine also relied on long-term contributors, most notably Peter Jones, who wrote a column in every single issue from the early years until his passing in 2009.
Global Reach and Conventions
Garden Railways grew into an international publication, drawing contributors from around the world. In August 1985, the magazine partnered with the Denver Garden Railway Society to sponsor the first-ever Garden Railway Convention in Denver, Colorado. While National Garden Railway Conventions continue to be held today by local clubs, they are no longer affiliated with the magazine.
Ownership and Final Years
In 1996, the publication was acquired by the Kalmbach Publishing Company based in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Under Kalmbach, the magazine maintained its editorial standards while integrating with a larger network of hobbyist publications. Marc Horovitz continued as editor in Denver until October 2018, when he was succeeded by Kent Johnson, and later by Hal Miller in October 2019.
The production team also benefited from the expertise of Rene Schweitzer, who joined in 1998, as well as technical support and product reviews from Cody Grivno and Dana Kawala of Model Railroader magazine.
On July 15, 2020, it was announced that Garden Railways would cease publication. The final issue was released in the Fall of 2020 (September), with some of its content and focus shifting to Model Railroader.
Publication Summary
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Founder | Marc Horovitz |
| First Issue | December 1984 |
| Final Issue | September 2020 |
| Frequency | Quarterly |
| ISSN | 0747-0622 |
| Base of Operations | Waukesha, Wisconsin (under Kalmbach) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is garden railroading?
Garden railroading is the hobby of designing, building, and operating large-scale model trains in outdoor garden settings.
Who founded Garden Railways magazine?
The magazine was founded by Marc Horovitz in 1984, evolving from a newsletter called the Sidestreet Banner.
When did the magazine stop publishing?
Garden Railways ceased publication after the Fall 2020 issue, which was released in September 2020.
Who was the final publisher of the magazine?
The final publisher was Kalmbach Media Co., which had acquired the magazine in 1996.
Did the magazine cover more than just trains?
Yes, because the trains were kept outdoors, the magazine featured a strong focus on horticulture, employing several gardening editors over the years to advise readers on plant selection and maintenance.