I am thinking about building a garden layout and have some rather stupin questions. When you lay the track around the yard/garden, Do you put on something that will keep it out of the grass or just a gravel roadbed and keep the grass out with round-up, or is better to have it up off the ground. I have seen the trains at Hobby Lobby and think it would be nice to have one running in the yard. Any advice for a newbe on G scale? I have a fair size HO layout in a seperate building so I do a little about modeling in HO. Thanks, Mike
PS... What about the weather vs. the trains and track?
The Home of Articulated Ugliness
It would be a good idea to just lay the track on the grass. That way you can run trains quickly and decide if you want to change the trackplan later and go with the more realistic look or just play with them as toys like most people do (on this and other forums, there are the folks out for the more realistic look, although I guess you could say they are just playing).
The track is meant to be outside. You can leave the cars outside but the paint will fade over time (which is what real trains do so I don't see the problem). Most bring locomotives inside or build an outdoor shed for them, as the motors and parts are best sheltered from the elements.
Important things to consider:
Unless you have a dead level yard, laying the track directly on the grass is a recipe for frustration. There is no firm surface beneath the track and the train looks like it's running on track laid on a sponge. You will have many derailments while you scramble about looking for suitable shimming material to prevent your train from tipping over
You WILL need to mow your lawn eventually. Take this into serious consideration when deciding where track will eventually go. It would be best to dedicate a section of your yard to a "layout". Someplace where you can build and not be in the way of yard maintenance. It also makes for a nice focal point rather than having trains run willy-nilly around your grass
If you are older or have some type of physical limitation, then a raised roadbed of some sort might be better for you.
Do you have a spouse or significant other? Their opinion is paramount to home sanity.
The only G-Scale track that I know of that is not outdoor compatible is Bachmann's. It's meant for putting under the Christmas tree and very little else.
Garden Railways magazine is a good photo source to get an idea of what others are doing.
Do a Google search on Garden Railways. Click on the "images" tab. Lots of GR thumbnails will appear and you can pick and choose where you like to look from there.
This is a good place for information on the web about Large Scale trains. Begging the indulgence of the powers that be, there are other message boards to peruse as well. Off the top of my head, I can think of five:
Aristocraft.com (everything to do with Aristocraft trains)
Bachmann.com (everything to do with Bachmann trains)
Mylargescale.com (message board similarly designed to this one)
Largescalecentral.com (same type of board as Mylargescale and here)
Largescale.com (LSOL) (another type of board similar to this and the others, but is a pay site)
Mark
I dig a 4 inch deep trench by 7 inches wide on my flat ground.
I line this with weed block (not for weeds, but to keep the gravel from mixing into the dirt).
I added 1/4 inch crushed gravel.
Laid track on top.
Here in eastern Massachusetts, this method has stood up for over 5 years with little or no rework done each year and I run my mainline when it snows (Aristocraft gondola/plow is awesome for clearing the mainline).
Hi mikesmowers
As one who started by building a nine inch height firm Base to put the track on.
This has the advantage of getting the trains out of the mud when it rains and obtaining a well drained track.
It is however in my opinion too low to the ground for some work that has to be done from time to time it does retain the more natural look that I think is important.
Unless you have too due to space constraints Do Not use the R1 curves that come with train sets on a permanent garden railway as this will severely restrict the options of trains you can run on the line.
The track that comes with the Bachmann sets is totally unsuitable for out door use.
Aristocraft track is OK for plain track but go for the more expensive if you can get them LGB switches I have had a lot of trouble with Aristo switches but none with the LGB
Both brands are made to use in the garden and once properly laid can be left out there, trains are best stored indoors when not in use they can be left outside for extended periods but I do not recommend it.
As with the small scales don't cut corners on the track work , locomotives or control system.
Expensive though they are live steam becomes a viable option for train power in the garden, but steam loco's get hot don't ask how I know
As you are an HO man be prepared for a bit of a culture shock as garden railroaders believe the whole family has a say in the garden railway and seem to be a lot more easy going and friendly given the more social nature of a garden railroad
Some details are better left off your trains and the concept of scale has not penetrated the large scale to the same degree as with the small scales.
The biggest surprise I think you will get is that a worthwhile large scale garden railway can be built for similar sorts of costs to an HO layout its just the chunks of cash for a given item is bigger
Of course the more you make yourself the cheaper it gets and the larger parts are easier to handle when making that special piece that makes it your individual railway.
Don't forget to take time to smell the flowers and enjoy the garden as well It Is A Garden Railway.
Finaly the only stupid question is usually the one you should have asked and did not
regards John
Get the Garden Railways newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month