above ground railroad

[EMPIRE II LINE]

Say Goat,

Check my line out on Youtube, enter empire 2 line. Named so after the Great Northern "Empire Builder". 

It's supported with one inch pvc pipe on six inch wide galvinized metal studing for strait runs, curves were supported using a 4 by 8 sheet of 1/2 inch thick pcv board sheeting, ripped to one inch strips with six inch long by two inch wide cross members, slotted to fit over the one inch strips, the slots cut at about 3.5 inches center to center, and one inch deep, glued to the strips with pvc cement. It's like a ladder effect, than bent to the curvature of your track and also supported by one inch pvc piping, all just hammered into the ground about six inches deep.

What you see took about a year and a half to construct.....the wooden trestle was custom built by my brother using 1 by 4 pressure treated lumber, ripped to scale and nailed with galvinized 1 inch brad nails and a nail gun....took him about 3.5 weeks to build it. 

I've been at a stand still for about two years now, fighting with management where I live, but do hope to get it going again in the near future......new managers.... 

Byron

[Chopperthedog]

All other replies kind of missed your question. I was reminded of a layout that was featured on the cover of the October 2008 issue. It was Mark Edwards' Hurricane Route, and it is constructed as you describe with with a block wall.

I could not find any photos online and I do not have a scanner. Maybe someone on the forum knows Mark or could scan pics from that issue.

hope it helps.

 

 

good day.

[kstrong]

Probably the most prominent example that I can think of is Richard Smith's Port Orford Coast Railway up in Oregon. His is raised around 36" or so, and very well done in terms of integrating the garden onto the raised platform. He's written a book (so to speak) about the railroad and its construction which can be found here:

http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/stevec/POC%20RR/POC_Main.pdf

I don't think he's been in GR yet.

Later,

K

[NORCAL LOGGER]

Here is a link to a video of an above ground, table top outdoor railroad that is track power and battery/RC.

Rick

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dgzq3IqvG0

[mrdeere]

Here is a live steam above ground railroad example. on you tube

mrdeere

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvNi1i396dg

[PJM20]

This has been done. A ton of live steam garden railroads are above ground. Just search it on the internet, you will find alot of stuff. Have fun! - Peter

[goatgrams]

Has anyone built or seen a above ground layout for outside for someone in a wheel chair ?

Still be able to tend to the plants. On flat ground. Would you have to fill it like a flower bed? I'm thinking it probably have to be 24'-36" tall. Using blocks or something simular for retaining walls.

Thanks Goatgrams