Technical manuals

[kyboy227]

Hello All !

Could anyone point me in a direction to find an aftermarket technical manual for g-scale railroading.  I am in a position of being ready to start my garden railroad but, basically, know nothing about electrical connections, accessories hookup, etc.

Your assistance would be greatly appreciated.

[altterrain]

Hey Hank,

I don't think such a book exists yet. I did hear rumblings about someone writing one. Most of what I learned was from reading GR, online forums and articles and the folks in my club. Of course that tends to give you many different opinions/options which you have to sort through to figure out what will work best for you.

-Brian 

[cabbage]

Well....

My source books range from the modern, to those that are not really modern -but I think the information in them are still relavant!

Henry Greenly: Model Railways (Their Design, Details, and Practical Construction). pub. 1924
R.E.Tustin: Garden Railways. pub. 1949
Cyril Freezer: The Garden Railway Manual. pub.1992
GRS and David Pratt: Railways in your Garden. pub. 1998
Peter Jones: Practical Garden Railways. pub. 2006

Yes I know these are all English books and may be rather hard to find in the USofA.

If you are building a railway for the first time, then the books by Tustin and Jones are the best.
If you are going into Garden Railways from a knowledge of previous model railways then the books by GRA and Freezer are what you need.
Henry Greenly's book, (in fact I have to say any of his books), are magnificent -BUT they do expect you to know what he is talking about. They are worth their weight in gold -but they are not for beginners....

regards

ralph

[kyboy227]

Thanks for the info....you have given me a good start toward getting my freight rollin'.

[piercedan]

Any 2 rail DC wiring is good for garden railroads with the following info you need to remember.

 

The voltage is 20-24, not 12 volts

The current is much higher, amps which means bigger wire (14 guage minimum), and bigger power supplies.

Wire needs water/UV protection, low voltage lighting systems have this wire and is available in major hardware stores.

 

Control switches must be heavy duty, think automotive for fog lights to control 5 amp minimum, 10 amp is much better. 

[imrnjr]

Jack Verducci has a couple of very good reference books in print from Kalmbalch which have a number of wiring diagrams for switch backs, wyes, and reverse loops.  They also illustrate an easy way to lay out and build your railway.  If your not familiar with some of the grade and landscaping techniques many times his books will fill in the gap.

Mark

[Anonymous]

Remember to ask questions always!

Toad

Check out the books Mark suggested.