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Hey Everybody, I have been a HO gauge modeler most of my life and 3 years ago succumbed to the adventures of starting a 'G' gauge, outdoor pike. My city lot is surrounded on three sides by privacy fences which are an eyesore to me. To take the "curse" off these unsightly barriers, I decided to build a large gauge R.R. (29 to 1) braced-off the vertical fence boards. The elevation of the road is an average 42" from ground level to the top of the rails. An 80' long straight section ending in a 20' (diameter) reversing loop supported by 4" X 4" X 6' vertical posts [away from the fence]. There is a 16' passing siding running to within 10' from the "stub end" (terminal). To keep expenses down I used 7" X 8" metal shelf braces running about 3' to 4' apart on the single track mainline and one 8" X 12" brace where the 10' (diameter) R. hand turnout opens the "loop." These metal "shelf braces" are screwed to the bottom of the 1" X 6" boards supporting the roadbed [horizontal] and 2" X 4" X 6" blocks screwed into the vertical fence boards. The "passing siding" is supported by six 4" X 4" X 6' vertical posts also. There is enough "open" space between the roadbed and the fence for locating planter boxes if I ever find my "green thumb." So far, I have only needed to do some "tweaking" after heavy winds to keep the road running reasonably well. To date, I have only Aristo's Doodlebug (gas-electric), Aristo's 75' heavy weight R.P.O., two 40' Aristo steel box cars and a 65' steel interurban car that I scratch-built after a K.C. Mo. and St. Jospeh prototype. I plan on scratch-building a couple of 40' flat cars (easy) and a 50' gondola for running mixed freight and passenger branch line service. I'm running D.C.C. on the gas-electric and standard D.C. on the interurban . This makes for more interesting operation for the time being. Power is MRC Prodigy 2000 but am converting to "Advance" a.s.a.p. Future plans call for branching off the "reversing loop" at a right angle to it and traversing the width of the lot to yet another 20' [diameter] "open" loop, paralleling the "other" line on its' return. This will give me maximum main line distance for the space available. It will appear to be a section of double track "mainline." I have no plans for installing over-head catenary as Florida storms would make short work of it. The final stage will be a small yard branching off the "open" reversing curve, maybe enough for 10 or so freight cars. By running interurban and mixed freight simultaneously, I should be kept fairly busy avoiding "corn field meets." If this piece has sparked any interest in a kindred soul or two, I would appreciate hearing your opinions on this Forum. Thanks, and keep those trains "on time." T.D.K.
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