Seasonal Precipitation Brings New Dimension to Central Coast Railroads

Running large scale trains outdoors is one of the many appeals of garden railroading.  However, our miniature landscapes are subject to the same influences and impacts as prototypical railroads. Heavy rainfall and, in some areas, snowfall, during the early part of 2023 have created some unexpected conditions on our layouts.

Winter in the Living Desert! Deserts are landscapes of harsh contrasts. Fortunately, the mine trains were securely stored under cover during this unusual meteorological event (Mark Edwards, image).
An atypical winter storm leaves several scale inches of snow on the Horseshoe grade of the Cascade Peak and Buena Vista Railway in Santa Margarita. Even Horseshoe Falls, a popular hiking destination, appears to be frozen (Mark Edwards, image).