High wind area G scale garden layout

[Anonymous]

This will be my first endeavor at a garden railway. My problems are very high winds; up to 110 mph. I live at the base of Mt Rose, a ski area in the Sierra's on the Nevada side. My land consists of approx. .8 acres and I have ample room to play. I am planning to begin with a boomarang shape and go from there. I was thinking of Type II base (used in concrete as a base prior to pouring the concrete) as this seems to stay put. I also get alot of snow but nothing outrageous. Should I consider something else for my base or am I on the right track. Also, I was considering using wood as well as concrete landscape blocks (6"X8"x16"). The wood was going to be pine that I will treat with an outside weather resistant chemical. Part of my plan will also encompass a pond I recently built. It is approx. 25' across by 15'. I plan to circle the pond rather than attempt to cross it. [:)]

[Marty Cozad]

Dennis
I feel for you bud. I live in the country also and have windbrakes and a shop blocking some of the wind. I also Have a wind sock letting me know which way the wind is coming from cause theres one place I can't cross the big bridge if the wind is to strong.
Also I silicone all bridges to their abutments cause I have had them lift out and take 20' of track each way with them. All buildings that stay out year round have post in them or concrete board screwed to the bottoms as weight. The wind has never taken the free floating track off concrete raodbed yet. If I lived where you do I would build hills about 2 to 3 ft high and plant bushes (trees) to help so you can run trains more when its only 20 to 30 MPH. Also steel wheels will help hold the cars to the track.
Just some thoughts , keep in touch tho.[^]
OH, for example; the spring winds come from the SE, where I am pertected but then few times they come from the SW I'm screwed. But can run another line up by the shop so if company comes on windy days I can still show the trains. If its too windy then its time to work in the shop[;)]

[Anonymous]

Hi Dennis ,
Glad to hear you got bit by the bug.

Marty always has good ideas. I build garden layouts as a business and I build indoor layouts also. Two different worlds. I built a Garden Railroad for a few nurseries and this year we built a 64ft X 17 Ft Garden railroad in Tinley park illinois for them on their miniature golf course. This area is out in the open and wind can be a problem. What we did with all buildings is we cut the steel rebar that is used in sidewalks. The Rebar is cut about 24 inches long. We put one in each corner and have it just under the roof line. We have had storms with winds up to 85 mph and no problems. As Marty said steel wheels are the answer and if real windy you can have USA flat cars which are low and made very heavy, no box cars if bad wind. Never had to stop running trains.

We also use Dwarf alberta pines to help block wind along the tracks, Same idea as Marty's

Larry Jankowski