garden running train...

[87_Crown_Vic]

i want to run a 4-8-8-4 at some point, and i have plenty of room to make a layout as needed.  i live on an acre and developing the grounds with flower beds and such and then will go thru to decide how and where i want track to run.  i have also been thinking of going green on my layout i want to setup.  i was thinking of putting up a small wind turbine to generate electricity from wind to store and also use to power the train.  i figured if i am gonna have a nice setup, it would be more cost efficient to make my own electricity instead of wasting power on the electric bill.  i have alternators from cars that are high power rated and just coming up with designs to build up a wind generator to produce power.  rather have the train layout separated from the power in the house so that i dont have to rely so much on where i can place track.  my layout will probably have a couple lil buildings for looks like a small depot and watering tower, but will mainly be running thru garden.  i hope this helps with my decision on which type of stuff i will need.

[cabbage]

Hmmmm... The problem you have is the fact that you have started at the wrong end of the "game"... You have selected your locomotive without taking care to ensure that your locomotive can run on your layout!!! I applaud your ambition -but before you pay out for your "Big Boy" try looking for something a little bit smaller and lot cheaper. Articulated locomotives are fine for tight curves, but there are limits...

Could I suggest you try something different -a live steam engine?

 Have a look here http://www.pps-steam-models.co.uk/index.htm

regards

ralph 

[g. gage]

Hi, I agree with Two Tone from the stand point of testing the waters before diving in, who knows what lurks in the unknown. From my days in HO I knew I wanted walk around control and maybe some day RC control. I also always use the widest curves I can. Remember a Big Boy is big. I started in “G” using LGB sectional track with 8’ diameter curves, it had just come out. When Aristo’s Train Engineer came out I bought one and hooked it between my existing throttle and railroad giving walk around capability. When we moved to the Sierra Nevada’s Aristo came out with a large array of track curvatures. My mainline curvature became 10’, 20’ where possible and I used 8’ track for secondary tracks. I bought an Aristo 10amp Ultima power supply to use with the TE. I’ve upgraded and still use everything I’ve bought. I’ve found I don’t need RC.

 

The point is sort out what you really want in your railroad, work toward that goal without distraction.         

 

Have fun, Rob    

 

[two tone]

Hi  I would go for a 20amp power supply and the airwire transmitter if you are going to run anglouge this will do the job     Later if you wish radio control the above units will be ok

[87_Crown_Vic]

i am curious about which way i should go on powering the setup i want.  my plans are to get a 4-8-8-4 U.P. Big Boy to display while building up track and necessities. i want to have track ran in garden and be able to turn the train on to run when outside or for parties to show off.  if i dont get a Big Boy, i would like another steam loco type to run on my tracks since i like the look better.  i was wondering since i would want the option of running it while i am outside and such, should i go battery or powered track.  i apologize since i am new to the hobby and i am still learning the terminology.  there is a guy on Ebay with a 1 gauge Big Boy that looks nice and only lives 20 minutes from me, but i cant afford $10,000 that he is asking at the moment.  i had a friend into trains that would be kits and i built a BigBoy for him since it was a piece by piece kit and a pain to build with all the pieces... but i accomplished it.  i think it was HO scale though.  any rate, i hope that somebody has better idea of how i should power the setup i wanna run.