Need a professional to help setup a design/layout for backyard

[Anonymous]

Hi y'all, I'm looking for someone to help me with train track design plans for the backyard as a gift for my father. I live in the Bay Area, CA and I'm not sure if anyone might have any advice. For example, are there professional railway landscapers? What's the best way for me to get started? Books are great, but someone who knew what they were doing would be better!! (I'd rather get right the first time, ya know??!!) Any advice would be appreciated!!

[Anonymous]

Hi Awiildilac, some of the members here are professional railway landscapers (I'm not one however). But if I could ask, what's the size lot will you be using for this layout? Will it be multilayered (as most are)? What level of detailing are you considering, in other words, are you going to implement real plants or scaled down artificial trees into the scenery? Do you prefer brass or stainless steel rail? What's the layout theme (what era)? There are many people here who could better assist you. I'm not an expert in this field, so I could only assist to a certain degree. There is perhaps a few here who do this for a living, who could take your vision to a whole new level. Good luck!

[kstrong]

If you're in the Bay area, look up Jack Verducci. Top shelf, he is. If he's not in "the book," you can most likely get in touch with him via the Bay Area Garden Railway Society--contact info is in the "clubs" listing in Garden Railways, and may even be somewhere on the GR website.

Later,

K

[Anonymous]

I believe that the best way to go about things is to think things through and get as much infromation as possible from other garden railroaders. Once you've got the perfect idea it's just a question of making the plan and getting started - That's the way I went about things.

Good luck to you - look forward to hearing about your developments

Peter