Garden railroading encompasses a wide variety of interests that can vary in degrees from the master gardener that happens to have a train and track running through the garden to the "engineer" that has much track and a few selected plants. Most garden railroads have a theme, e.g. a logging or mining railroad, a particular era, or a particular road name.

Gardening is enjoyed by millions of people and so is model railroading. The two activities enjoyed together gives twice the reward!

In a garden railway, you are dealing with real life. Mountains are made of soil and rocks. Streams and ponds are made of water. Rain can cause washouts, snow can stop trains, leaves and branches can fall on tracks. Plants must be maintained. But the joy of a garden with a railway feature (or a model railroad with a garden feature) is a terrifically satisfying and absorbing activity.