I am new to this but I would like to have a small garden display. I will be working with a space about 25'x25'. I could go 30x30. This will be in the front of my house and I would like to include a pond, water fall, or stream of some kind. The only other thing I am set on is using C&NW train cars. My grandfather was an engineer in the steam days (two uncles in the diesel era) so I would like turns that will handle a 2-8-2 or 4-6-2. Any and all ideas would be apreciated including how to lay the track for weather (Northern Illinois). I am also trying to keep the cost down to get started yet keep the ability to expand in the future. Yes I have been doing alot of reading here and seem to get more questions the more I learn.
Thanks, Rick
Hi rick
Given your description of your conditions and intents, some basics:
Track, plan on no smaller than 8foot diameter curves, the engines you describe are made by Aristo craft and require this diameter track, it will also allow you to run most everything on the market today.
Track power: If you are thinking traditional track power I would recommend spending a little extra and getting stainless steel track, its only a bit more than standard brass track but your conductivity and track cleaning issues will be greatly improved. If your thinking radio control and battery, go aluminum, its cheaper and you never have to worry about cleaning track other than clearing leaves off.
Now for youe climate, I HIGHLY recommend using a ladder system under your track. A ladder or spline system description can be found here by using search feature but basicly its a wood or artificial wood like Trex base with 4x posts that should go down deep enough to prevent frost heave during winter. I'm sure some here can describe it better than me.
Scale, Hmm...this one can get prickly with some people, but I'm not going to try and sway you one way or the other, your after standard gauge so that means either Aristocraft/USA at 1/29 or MTH at 1/32, both are great and you'll be happy with either.
Good luck
Have fun with your trains
If Byron will post and tell you about the LGB layout at Micky World that is a small area, sorry don't have the pixs with all info.
He was online but I guess he is ashamed to post. Go here http://cs.trains.com/forums/1407462/ShowPost.aspx
Then if Buckso gets a eye on this he has some more. Think he made the track design so he would know the size.
Toad
ToadFrogWhiteLightn wrote: Go here http://cs.trains.com/forums/1407462/ShowPost.aspxToad
Go here http://cs.trains.com/forums/1407462/ShowPost.aspx
Yeah, that pretty much shows it all there at Epcot......I believe it is about the size you are working with....About 30 X 30....
Byron C.
That helps. I could start with a double loop with a cross over or bridge. Maybe another bridge or two over a stream going to a pond. My front porch will be in the middle of the front but it is small (5x5) and should make a good tunnel. Best part is my wife is for it. She hates the way our front yard looks now. The St.Aubin open house is this weekend. Maybe I can get more ideas there.
Thanks Rick
Rick,
I'm working on the front yard too. The space between my house and the roads (I have a corner lot) is about 30 x 200. The nice thing about doing a front yard is you get to talk to all the neighbors as you work and they walk by and stop to talk. You meet a ton on kids too. I did get permission from the HOA before starting the project as that group can either support you or put you out of business. The local police are also a nice source of free security for your layout. Get them interested and you will find the patrols will increase around your property.
See some pictures at "Pinetop Progress Report" under General Discussion.
Please post some pictures or your space and plans.
Rex
Log on to this site then scroll about 1/3 of the way down, you'll find some links to anything from small layout plans to some that are significantly larger as well as some that could be best described as downright funny.
http://www.thortrains.net/
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If I were starting from scratch I would definitely go with stainless steel track. The price difference isn't great any more and it needs less cleaning--although cleaning my track isn't that big a deal, trck power works well for me. I used the ladder method for roadbed--you can see some pictures at the link
As mentioned, minimum 8ft diameter curves. But the bigger the better with curves--wide curves just look better and run better. Maybe decide if you want a decorative tran, or an operating railroad--one that works like a real railroad, or a mixture of both. Ours is mostly decorative, and it's really a train in a garden
I found these artciels pretty useful when I was starting out
http://www.btcomm.com/trains/primer/index.htm
Operation will be for the future and more $$$$. For now I want to get a loop going that I can expand on. I asked the question about SS in another post but I think I have my answer now. Now I just need to get the size of my track right to allow easy expansion in the future.
Thanks again, Rick
castlebravo wrote: Operation will be for the future and more $$$$. For now I want to get a loop going that I can expand on. I asked the question about SS in another post but I think I have my answer now. Now I just need to get the size of my track right to allow easy expansion in the future.Thanks again, Rick
Hi castlebravo
I would concider having some operational interest on the first stage it only needs to be, just enough to keep you interested so you get to the next stage.
Which should further enhance things as it grows
A couple of well placed dead end sidings will help no end with future expansion.
That way you don't have to disturb the existing railway too much when your ready to expand
regards John Busby
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