Narrow gauge & live steam in the garden questions

[ONEHAGGIS]

Hi, I'm planning a freelanced narrow gauge, live steam only garden railway and I have some beginer garden railway questions I hope y'all can answer for me.

First, did any of the prototype narrow gauge railways ever double track their main lines and does anyone here model it in their garden railway?? Or did the prototypes only have all single tracked main lines?

Second, I heard about large scale narrow gauge live steam in 2 1/2'' to the foot (1:5 scale) which runs on 7 1/2'' gauge track. who makes such a large size train?

Third, 7 1/4'' gauge vs. 7 1/2'' gauge, Why the small differance & which one do y'all recomend?

Fourth, What is the best recomended scale/gauge & brand names for live steam in the garden?

Thanx for listening.

Mark

[Jerry Barnes]

 Accucraft makes quite a few narrow gauge live steam engines and are of good quality. The larger steamers are usually made from castings you can get, but you are looking at $10-20,000 to make one and you need a big lathe/etc to do it. I don't think anyone makes assembled ones, when one comes up for sale they usually sell pretty high. For size, check around your area and find someone that has one and get in a club, get the Live Steam magazine and do some research. Steam in the Garden is a magazine for G scale live steam, start getting it for advice and you can get back issues from them. You can make your railroad anyway you want, so if you want double tracks go for it!  For live steam it is nice if your track is up a foot or two off the ground, makes it easier to get down and service them. Some build them up off the ground and don't do the gardening.

[kstrong]

I'm a bit confused by the various questions taken as a whole as to what you're trying to do. Are you considering two hobbies (ride-on live steam and garden railroading, or are you considering the ride-on to be garden railroading? If the latter, this perhaps isn't the best forum to answer your questions. Try Live Steam magazine instead; they cater specifically to the ride-on scales. (Google "Live Steam"--they have a forum on their web site--click on "Steaming Bay" on the left side

To answer each of your questions, no--narrow gauge lines (in the US) were not double-tracked except where they needed a siding. Narrow gauges existed for the most part in areas where grades were steep and clearances tight. The space needed for a double-track mainline tends to be mutually exclusive to those circumstances.

The 2 1/2" scale stuff is largely built from scratch, though I'd look in Live Steam Magazine or one of the home shop machinist magazines to see if there are suppliers for parts, etc.

The difference between 7 1/4" and 7 1/2" is regional. I think the eastern US is mostly 7 1/4" while the west is 7 1/2" or vice versa or something like that. Find out what gauge the "local" club nearest you is, and go with that. The reason for the difference, I'm not certain.

If you're looking to do garden scale live steam (i.e. the 1:32 - 1:19 stuff that's in Garden Railways) that's 45mm gauge (called either Gauge 1 or G-gauge). The most prolific manufacturers for live steam in that gauge will be Accucraft and Roundhouse. Roundhouse has been around for quite some time, and make perhaps the most reliable live steam locos for this scale. Most are of British narrow gauge prototypes. Accucraft has been making live steam for 10 or so years, and their models run the gamut from British narrow gauge to large US mainline.

Later,

K

[two tone]

Hi  Can I run a couple of points past you,  With live steam you will need good insurance if you are having people around ie an open day.  Your locos will need to be boiler certified ie boiler pressure tested     and when biulding layout a good steaming bay clear of people.  

[JamesP]

For more information and products on rideable live steam, take a look at www.discoverlivesteam.com and www.livesteaming.com .  I agree that you should seek out the nearest club and go with whatever gauge they use.  The (unconfirmed) story that I have heard about the 1/4" difference in gauge is that way back when, someone visited a live steam railroad, went back home to build their own and remembered the gauge incorrectly!  They both use the same wheel profile and most kits can be built in either gauge.  However, conversion from one gauge to the other on a steam locomotive can be tricky.  I have a friend with a K-28 in 2.5" scale, it is an amazing machine.  My own railroad is 2.5" scale standard gauge, which I round off to 12" gauge.

 Best of luck,

James

[ONEHAGGIS]

Thanks y'all for the helpful information. I got my hands on some back issues of the live steam magazine and also checked out the websites for live steam listed in Garden Railways Magazine. Now I have more questions than answers (lol)

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I did find a live steam club about 20 minutes from my house (depends on how fast I drive, lol )

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A question for James - Is you and your friends 2.5 scale rolling stock scratchbuilt or "off the shelf"??

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Mark.

[JamesP]

My cars and diesels are pretty much all scratchbuilt, although some are extensive rebuilds of old park train stuff.  Both steamers are old park train items that I bought as backet cases and rebuilt.  Keep in mind that my 2.5" scale stuff is 12" gauge, so off the shelf stuff is nearly non-existent.  My friend's 2.5" scale, 7.5" gauge equipment is purchased from others, but I believe it was all originally scratchbuilt except for most of the trucks and couplers. 

 To be frank, I'm not that good at scratchbuilding.  I am amazed at the detailed equipment I see at the 7.5" gauge tracks.  Once I get to the point where the cars are rolling and usable, I am ready to go on to the next project, no patience for detailing.  However, my hobby budget dictates that I either scratchbuild or by basket cases at scrap price - I just can't justify buying custom built, ready-to-run equipment.  If you're interested, my website is www.nfrailroad.com .

Good Luck!  - James