My first garden layout

[Anonymous]

 

Almost finished my pike. Guess I should have started bigger. wife already gave permission to start on a larger mainline:)

Charlie Bury

 

[Anonymous]

very nice indeed - very impressive for a first layout . Lots of character.

I await the extended version with interest

[two tone]

Great start to a great hobby, I`m glad the top director has given permission for an extention keep up the good work.  On my lay out I lay track and maint my wife Christine does the designing and gardening . it works very well. Keep the trains running. Enjoy it

[jhsimpson62]

Very nice indeed. Its usually better to start small and expand or else you may become overcome and give up before seeing the fruits of your labor.  Keep up the good work and I look forward to see the expansion progress and completion. Jack

[FJ and G]

nice! Some of those rocks in foreground look pretty heavy

[mdeange3]

It indeed looks great, and has
the dramatic impact to enjoy
over and over again.

Can anyone suggest the best method
in creating a Garden Railway?

I am a subscriber to Garden Railways,
but are there any books or videos
that were followed as a start?

[two tone]

There are both,  but you know how much room you have so lets start IE do I want a loop with passing loop?  do I want end to end with sidings?  Am I going to use track power or steam. Do I want it at ground level or raised 1 or 2 feet off the ground also a lot depens on your age as to the hieght of the track.. If you are thinking of curves always use radius 3 curves and points if you are intending running large locos.  Hope this helps and has given you some food for thouht.

[John Busby]

Hi Charlie

That is a very good start it looks great be careful of taking to big a bite at a time keep it manageable and you will run out of garden soon enough.

I followed this under construction with great interest.

I would suggest running the line to the next station in what ever direction that is and this time put in a passing track as well as a siding or two then move on to the next one and so on, making sure each added station adds to the operational or visual interest of the line.

If you have the space make it a minimum of three times your maximum train length between stations this will aid the going somewhere illusion.

regards John

[mdeange3]

Thank you for the insightful
information.  It is good food
for thought.
Please describe: 'end to end with sidings.'

mdeange3

[ttrigg]

Please describe: 'end to end with sidings.' mdeange3

mdeange3:

"End to end"; Starts here and ends there.  NOT an oval, may have "reversing loops" at one or each end, but with just a single main line from "end to end".

"with sidings";  May have stub end sidings (dead end, only attached to main line at one end) at "industrial areas", or passing sidings (sidings where trains can stop and allow another to pass, connected to main line at both ends.) at depots and such along the mainline.  Sometimes several stub end sidings will branch off of a passing siding, thus forming an industrial yard.

[mdeange3]

To: ttrig,

Thanks for the descriptions
and links to the neat picts
and humorous commentary
written in the Gazette.

By the way, I loved the
shots linked from Rosebud Flats
and the San Diego County Fair.

I noticed some rock construction
next to the line.  Will that become
a flowing stream of water?

To: CSXCharlie
I keep going back to check out
the picts of your pike.
It is simply amazing.
How long did it take for
you to accomplish this set-up?

[Anonymous]

Some new motive power on my pike.

 

 

 

Thanks for all your imput and suggestions. I'm learning alot from all of you and soon wiill be planning the large side of the layout. The work Iv'e seen posted by you guys is simply amazing!!!

[ttrigg]

To: ttrig,

I noticed some rock construction
next to the line.  Will that become
a flowing stream of water?

That construction zone is pretty well finished, (as if anything in the garden is ever finished!) Have a look here for a more recent photo of the falls
http://www.trains.com/trccs/forums/885525/ShowPost.aspx.