Beginner Looking for help.

[Anonymous]

I am located in New York and have been thinking about putting a railroad garden in the backyard. Everytime I see nice layouts they are always located in the Mid West. I was wondering if any one had any recommendations on which scale is best? What type of track I would need example brands that are weather and uv protected. If any knows of any good resources or online sites that can help me please let me know. Even if you have good experience I am willing to hear how you did it.

Dennis

[ttrigg]

100mubiks

I too am a newbie at this scale (30+ years of HO & N, and about 18 months of G scale). I spent about six months reading ALL of the posts on this forum. There is so much information here on these pages just waiting for someone to read. Instead of asking how it is done, each person here has their own way of doing things, read what others have done, then decide for yourself what you want to do.

Find a store (or e-store) that carries what you like and then just jump in and enjoy.

[John Busby]

100mubiks
do you want a standard gauge or narrow gauge railway
check out the (sticky) at the top of the general descusion forum lots of usefull links there.
The major manufacturers trains are UV stable and weather proof
But you should be puting the trains away when finished for the day so that should not be an issue.
Track concensus is Aristocraft or LGB track both are weatherproof and UV stable choose your track carefully as this will be out in all weather
As ttrigg said spend the time to read all the forums on garden railways
For any question you ask the no of different answers you will get is directly proportional to the number of answers you get.
regards John

[Capt Bob Johnson]

Read Read Read. These forums, those sponsored by the major manufacturers, and even some sponsored by retailers!

Then go get a starter set and get something running.

It will grow from there!

[Anonymous]

Thanks all for your Responses. I'll check out other posts on this site to see what other people have done.

Dennis

[Marty Cozad]

Dennis
Your back ground in HO will help. I use alot of the principles in HO but use different materials.

Once i realized making everthing to with stand weather, I jumped in.
Later sold all my other trains to buy this.
the first year I almost quit until I caught on to what I just said.
Good roadbed, good way to power the trains, grades, couplers, picking a scale or standard and tring to stay with it.
around the wall method, etc.