Some News: Local report on Garden Railroading w/Steam

[Steve Shyvers]

Yesterday the San Jose Mercury-News ran a two and a half page story in 
its "Home and Garden" section about garden railroading. Interviewed and 
featured, complete with photos, was Jack Verducci and his own Crystal 
Springs Railroad. Two other local garden railroads were also featured. 
Significantly it was reported that Jack ran only livesteam locomotives, 
while other enthusiasts typically used electric power via track or 
on-board battery.

The full report included plugs for Garden Railways magazine, the Bay 
Area Garden Railway Society (BAGRS), and LGB. LGB was credited with 
inspiring the revival of garden railroading in the US, where, it was 
reported, garden railroading enjoyed some popularity in the 1920's and 
1930's. It was also stated that in Britain the hobby of garden 
railroading "goes back more than a century".  (Is that correct, Sir Geoff?)

All in all, I was impressed with the content and accuracy of the 
Mercury-News story. It even reported that Jack's locos generated steam 
using butane or alcohol. 

Steve