Advice for beginers

[Anonymous]

Hi

I've got a pretty big backyard in suburban Melbourne, Australia (about 1/4 of an acre) that need's a bit more than the standard Rose's, Azalia's and grass. I'd love to build a Garden Railway around the whole area (following approval from the Wife), but based on what I've read on most Garden Railway sites I'd need to take a second loan on the house before I start.

I'm very patient and are prepared to take my time to build my dream design. I'm confident that I can handle the hard labor in building the landscaping on the site but need some advice about purchasing materials to build tracks etc. I've seen some sites where the track has been built from scratch using factory supplied rail and hand built sleepers. Can someone please let me know if this type of equipment is available in Melbourne and the cost per meter and where I can get it.

Also, any advice re the best way to go, commercial built versus home built track

[cabbage]

Well...

Speaking as a person known for their lack of monetary outlay, (or "yon shivvy tight fisted git" -to quote my beautiful wife), I have found that there comes a point when you have to say -that is nice -but it is too expensive. I am by nature and wallet a scratch builder. I build everything for my railway myself -firstly because no-one would ever make what I like and mostly because I enjoy it!!!

All my track is PECO. I bought track in as I can assure you making it can drive people crazy with the boredom of repetition. You do not have to spent hundreds of pounds or euros or dollars to get what you want. All that is required is a little carefull thought, design and intelligent shopping.

Commercial track has the advantage over hand made track in that it is more easily 'layable' than hand made. This gives a far more predictable rail for your locos to move along.

As to sources in Oz -there I cannot help you, sorry!

I have a picture of Heavy Harry in a book -not a bad looking loco.

regards

ralph

[Anonymous]

I've seen some sites where the track has been built from scratch using factory supplied rail and hand built sleepers. Can someone please let me know if this type of equipment is available in Melbourne and the cost per meter and where I can get it.

Also, any advice re the best way to go, commercial built versus home built track

G'day,

May I suggest you try Grant Kerr at [e-mail]

Hope that helps

ER

[ttrigg]

I've got a pretty big backyard in suburban Melbourne, Australia (about 1/4 of an acre) that need's a bit more than the standard Rose's, Azalia's and grass. I'd love to build a Garden Railway around the whole area (following approval from the Wife), but based on what I've read on most Garden Railway sites I'd need to take a second loan on the house before I start.

Harry;

Yes it can become very expensive very fast if you don't do some serious planning in advance.  In my original plans I've scheduled 6 phases of construction.  Phase 1 is the basic oval with passing sidings and several stub end sidings.  (one planned permanent stub end, the other three stub end sidings are the take off points for other phases of construction.  That way I do not have to destroy anything to build the next step.  Phase 2 was a single stub end that (now completed) reaches back into the Yards and Engine service areas.  Phase 3 (currently under construction) is a stub end that will climb the 27 inches to the top of the waterfall for the Koi Pond (the Director Of Land Management, AKA wife, has directed that this become Mount Blum (pronounced Mount Bloom) to be a liberal takeoff on the old Mt. Lowe system that used to be in the Los Angles area. Phase 4 is the long loop out to Vine Arbor, (mostly in place.) Phase 5 will be the extension out from Vine Arbor to Green Apple Orchard. 

I think you get the idea, construct a small working section with the required switches (turnouts, points etc.) in place for the next section.  That way there will bee no interruption in rail operations due to the new construction.

I figure that it has cost me about $6.50 U.S.D. per foot of track, that includes LGB Brass "Flex" track, rail bender, switches, crushed rock for sub road bed, crusher fines for ballast, garden fabric under the track (weed control), electrical wiring for track power, switch control, future building lights, etc.  By spreading the construction over a 3~4 year period has made the construction cost manageable.

[gabbyhayes]

heavy harry

There are a couple of places that I know - Adelaide garden railway supplies ( ph (0882716875) and the gauge one gallery in sydney (ph (02)1800657579)

Hope this helps

 

Gabby

 

[Anonymous]

 I prefer commercial flex track for several reasons. 1. You'll go completely stark raving mad before you complete  handlaying enough track for a large size layout. 2. Hand layed track on wooden ties will rot out long before quality commercial plastic ties. 3. If you decide to change your configuration, you can remove the ties, reshape the rails and reinstall the ties which would prove impossible with hand layed track. You will loose a few ties each time you reconfigure [they tend to get brittle after a few years].  4. Commercial track is extremely consistant and not prone to "gauge creep" like hand layed track unless you are extremely careful when assembling. 5. Hand layed track is not that much less expensive when you consider the cost of rails, spikes, quality rot-resistent wooden ties, etc. 6 If you do not already posess the required tool; you may need to buy saw(s), planer, hammers, other tools and lots of bandages for smashed/cut fingers.  Ear plug for your spouse might be a nice touch if you are prone to "talking" to your work when thing go awry.

[Greg Elmassian]

What Tom and Big Iron said, you will spend more time making track and maintaining it than running and enjoying your layout.

I likewise have designed and built my railroad in stages, read my site www.elmassian.com

Regards, Greg

[S&G Rute of the Silver River]

I was woundering about using ither hand layed or commerically avalable track. My friend and I are trying to build a layout at his house up in snoqualmie pass (rather difficult when you can't work outside for half the year due to snow, and it gets more fun besouse its on a teen's budget). I think it will be comerical track except for arias where we plan on taking alot of pics and make that handlayed. This way we get the best of realism and eaze of track mataince. Should work right? 

[skeenapac]

Hey H Harry, yet more thoughts for you. Start with what you can afford in the line of an inexpensive locomotive and a car or two, and track, track, track and the biggest power supply you can afford. (Makes it easier when you start expanding.)

The next part is to make sure all friends and relations know that you want "railway stuff" for birthdays, Christmas, anniversaries and any other times when you celebrate and gifts are given or exchanged. It does help.

Then take your time in expanding. My experience started only in 2000 and I didn't start with much of a plan, I just wanted to 'run a train'. While I don't have your quarter acre (lucky fellow) we've got a nice run and had a lot of fun. It's not finished and probably never will be, but I buy a piece here and there and like Topsy, it grows.

The 'story' should you wish to read it is at <<http://railway.skeenapacific.ca>>

Don't be put off by the cost, if you can't afford a case, by a bottle, it'll get you started.

Best wishes from Canada....

[two tone]

Hii  I`m in England and I get the Garden Railways mag, there are lots of suppliers in there so you should have no problem getting what you want in the way of track and points. Also it lists your local G scale branch.  Hope this helps