raised roadbed materials

[OxnardScott]

I'm new to these forums and I'm not completely savvy on searching for specific information.

I want a railway that is raised from the ground for better viewing, but my garden situation doesn't lend itself to building a perimeter wall, filling it in, and then placing track on the raised "bed."  So,

1. Can someone direct me to articles that deal with the type of layout I'm describing, and

2. Can anyone recommend materials that are tried and true to use to support the roadbed--material that won't deteriorate in weather and that won't sink and create problems for the track?

I appreciate any help!  Thanks.

Scott Flournoy

[OxnardScott]

As a supplement to my own posting, more specifically, what material(s) is (are) longest lasting and reliable for benchwork construction of a garden railroad?

[ttrigg]

Across these pages there are a great number postings about elevated GRR's. Many have used Marine Plywood, pressure treated lumber, and a product who's name escapes me at the moment but it is the drywall substitute used behind bathtubs and showers (very waterproof) and a recent addition is any of the new "plastic lumber". For years the main vertical support has been pressure treated lumber, Several folks have used UV resistant PVC, but not so long ago, a member here started with a variant that seems very good to me. Sink a LARGE diameter UV resistant PVC 3 feet into the ground standing on a puddle of wet cement and then filled with cement.

If you have access to back copies of GR there are many articles of elevated GRR's. Try your local library. If you are a subscriber to the magazine, you can find a few articles under "Subscribers Extras".

[Rene Schweitzer]

Welcome, Scott!

Two articles that come to mind are the December 2013's cover story by Jerry Paladino. John Morrison raised an existing railroad in the August 2012 issue. I recommend using our "Magazine index," and clicking on "advanced search." This will allow you to search just Garden Railways if you choose it in the pop up menu.

I typed in "raised" and there were a number of articles on the subject.

FWIW, we are aware this is a topic of interest and are looking into future articles.