Would you buy it?

[Anonymous]

If you wanted to find plans to build something (say hand laying track) and you found some that not only told you various methods to do it but also told you about the Pro's and Con's of various materials and methods, would you buy it?
Also what do you think would be a reasonable price for a small pamphlet with that info?

[Marty Cozad]

Good Q.
My first thought would be; Who's putting it out? That would help me know how well researched it was. Plus if its to cheap may be a sign of its quality. Also with the internet there are so many sites to check out info I'm not sure it would be worth doing it.
Having said that I personally would like to see more types of hand outs that we can give to kids at shows . And better hand outs we can give to adults who show interest at shows. I don't give out stuff just to any passer by . GRYs has a nice full color hand out that I have had on tables at shows .
Hopfully some new comers to the hobby will reply to this Q cause some of us think we know everything,,,,[;)] Its a JOKE son, a joke.[:I]
To be honest , theres not a whole lot of tips coming out that really catch my eye any more yet I am always amazed at how creative many folks are. ( I'm not tring to say that pridefully either)

[cacole]

That's a rather loaded question and difficult to answer without more information, as Marty Cozad so well states in his first paragraph: Who's putting it out? And also important: How much research went into it? Is is something new or just reprints of GR articles? Being rather new to garden railroading, as well as a recent subscriber to GR magazine, I'm sure there's a lot of information that I could use but don't know where to look for it, that has appeared in past issues. Bottom line: Yes, I would be willing to pay for said information if it were presented in a comprehensive, thoroughly researched manner, and is something that is a tried-and-true construction technique.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for looking. To answer Marty Cozad and Cacole's questions The pamphlet would be coming, at least at first, from a 9th grader. The first one I'm making is on how to hand lay track. I have been searching for it and looking at any site that relates to it. I then find the general consensus. It would not be a repeat of GR articles. I would get my own measurements for buildings and trains and then find different ways to make it. Thanks again for looking

[Anonymous]

Trainmaster1989-

I strongly encourage you to research and publish articles and pamphlets on garden railroading.

I don't think you should expect to earn a living off of it quite yet but go and do your thing. Maybe the local hobby shops will hand them out! Make an attractive stand to put them in. Or you could even get a website going. I don't know why you can't be one of the many who are helping to get garden railroading more into the mainstream of model railroading. The more information which is put out will only be good for the hobby.

Good luck

Peter

[bman36]

Hi there,
One can only try. The best way to produce such info after doing the research is to try out a sample. Once you have what you feel is necessary together, hand it over to an experienced Garden RR to see what they think. Also have someone who knows nothing about model railroading read it also. Ask a teacher? Get input from the experienced and the inexperienced. This will give you a very good base to work with. If you are looking for an extra credit at school, why not make a project out of it? Most of all have fun with this. If nothing else you will gain valuable experience in producing literature. All the best! Later eh...Brian.

[Anonymous]

Pdf586, Bman36,
thanks a lot for the advice. I'll definitely try all of it.
Thanks again,
Scott

[Marty Cozad]

Scott
I was thinking about this thread and another on another site, but if you write about ways to do things. Keep in mind the application of the method. That helps to keep this" whos way is better" argueing down. Cause over time I feel if my yard and RR was in a different place I would change some methods. All of them may be good, but some are better for this or that application.
Just another thought for you.[8D]

[Anonymous]

Wow! When I put this post on I never expected to get so much good advice. I know it will be so much better because of all of you. Thanks.

[RhB_HJ]

Wellllllll, the "science" of handlaying hasn't really changed much in the last 30 or so years. However what is different in Large Scale is Mother Nature (as alluded to by Marty) which will throw you all kinds of curve balls. Starting with temperature fluctuations, humidity problems, too much rain etc. etc.

Soooooo one may have the bullet proof method for the Midwest, but will it work in AZ or on the coast of WA?

Now would a book cover all the angles? Unlikely! Would it be a good help to get started? Certainly! But as mentioned "all that stuff" is already on the Net, more or less free for the asking (search engines!). Don't mean to rain on a parade, but things have changed tremendously in the last 10 or so years, at least as far as getting at the info is concerned.