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Where to start?

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  • Member since
    January 2006
  • From: Florida
  • 2,238 posts
Where to start?
Posted by traindaddy1 on Wednesday, September 7, 2011 9:20 PM

Well, here I am, from two other worlds ("HO" and "O") and 'bitten by the Garden Bug'.

So many questions:    Where to start? Initial cost? Maintenance? Rolling stock?  ETC.

Based on your experience, what would you suggest as to the best source of basic information?

Many thanks.

  • Member since
    December 2006
  • From: lone star, texas
  • 30 posts
Posted by Green Streak RR on Wednesday, September 7, 2011 11:36 PM

The Florida Garden Railway Society (fgrs.org)  serves the Orlando & Tampa area. check out their web site and get in contact with them. I'm certain there will be folks locally that will help you along the way to the garden train addiction.

You can also norton search/google/bing/yahoo search for local garden railroad clubs in the Orlando area. 

 

Railroad Crossings: Thinning the gene pool daily!

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: North Coastal San Diego
  • 947 posts
Posted by Greg Elmassian on Thursday, September 8, 2011 12:58 AM

I'd suggest George Schreyer's excellent site: http://www.girr.org/girr/index.html

You can find some Beginner FAQ's on my site also, which was inspired by George's site.

Regards, Greg

Visit my site: http://www.elmassian.com - lots of tips on locos, rolling stock and more.

 Click here for Greg's web site

 

  • Member since
    January 2006
  • From: Florida
  • 2,238 posts
Posted by traindaddy1 on Thursday, September 8, 2011 6:26 AM

Green Streak:   Greg E.:    Thank you.

  • Member since
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  • From: North Coastal San Diego
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Posted by Greg Elmassian on Sunday, September 11, 2011 1:20 AM

Read a lot, read old posts here and on MyLargeScale.com ...

Go to shows and try to join a club.

Ask lots of questions... we'll be here to help. Yes

Greg

Visit my site: http://www.elmassian.com - lots of tips on locos, rolling stock and more.

 Click here for Greg's web site

 

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Smoggy L.A.
  • 10,743 posts
Posted by vsmith on Saturday, September 17, 2011 3:06 PM

traindaddy1

Well, here I am, from two other worlds ("HO" and "O") and 'bitten by the Garden Bug'.

So many questions:    Where to start? Initial cost? Maintenance? Rolling stock?  ETC.

Based on your experience, what would you suggest as to the best source of basic information?

Many thanks.

Start up costs...ell thats a tricky one that depends greatly on how big a layout were you considering. How wide a diameter of curvature you have room for. Are you thinking narrow gauge or standard gauge. These are all major factors. Its hard to give info without knowing what your interest are.

There's a tab under the GR logo at the top of the page that will give you good basic info and I agree with reading sites like mylargescale.com and largescalecentral.com are great sources of info.

   Have fun with your trains

  • Member since
    December 2006
  • From: Chatham, Ont
  • 116 posts
Posted by DennisB on Tuesday, September 20, 2011 9:56 AM

There is an online book at www.familygardentrains.com. Has all the info and pictures you need. Dennis

  • Member since
    January 2006
  • From: Florida
  • 2,238 posts
Posted by traindaddy1 on Tuesday, October 18, 2011 4:06 PM

DennisB:   I went to the site.  Thanks AND THANKS TO ALL for your advice.

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