First timer

[steffd]

Nice start, Stephan. I particularly like the combo of the weigela and the ninebark.

-Brian 

 

Thanks Brian. The shrubs and surrounding perennials have had 3 years to settle in nicely. I decided to get some of the backbreaking work done while waiting for my railroad materials order to arrive, then the fun begins. Next is tackling along the house where the Yard and engine facilities will be, then it's under the deck I go; although that should be simple as no digging will be required since it's a 4" gravel base. Work is at a stand still for the moment as the weather has turned to rain. Guess I'll do some work on the HO Layout...

Cheers,

Stephan

 

[altterrain]

Nice start, Stephan. I particularly like the combo of the weigela and the ninebark.

-Brian 

[steffd]

I am planning on starting my own garden railroad but don't know whats the best track arrangment. My yard is mostly flat except for the far back. Can anyone help me out?

And also I am wondering what is the best type of locomotives to use for a first timer. Steam or diesel? Can anyone help me out with this?

I know I forgot to say but I'm from Central Massachusetts.

 

Hi Duo,

I'm just starting out myself in the world of Garden Railroading "As of last weekend" and I thought I'd share my undertakings. I've included a few pics of my current efforts which are basically from day one although I still have a ways to go but not to shabby for an afternoon of work.

Although I am new to Garden Railroading, I have been an HO model railroader for over 20 years with a 20'x11' layout in my basement which does provide me with a solid foundation although there are also vast differences and thins to consider that are irrelevant on an indoor layout which I'm learning as I go.

I've taken a different approach than some have suggested which is not to say that it's necessarily the best, but I just buy what catches my interest as long as within budget and falls within the functional capabilities of the Layout. I plan on operating everything from Diesels to steam to RDC's and even trolleys. I decided to skip the train sets and buy everything separately which is to say I essentially created my own train set based on my specifications. I chose to start with a Diesel GP-38-2 from USA Trains http://www.usatrains.com/index.html which offers good value as well as one of their cabooses plus 3 40' boxcars from Aristo-Craft. The track I selected is Flex from Llagas Creek Railways http://www.llagastrack.com/index.html  which is Nickel Silver and comes in 6' sections which will provide me with more freedom in my curves and overall track design. The #6 turnouts are Aristo-Craft http://www.aristocraft.com/ with Stainless steel rail and are equipped with remote switch machines. These are somewhat pricy but look real nice. I will also be using the shorter "wallet friendly" switches from Aristocraft in the yard. For power I decided to use Aristo-Craft's 10 amp Power Supply and their wireless Train Engineer walk around throttle with a switch accessory unit to throw the turnouts with the throttle.

Although there are several very good sources to see what's available I stumbled upon Ridge Road Station. They have a great selection of products to choose from and their prices are pretty good. http://www.ridgeroadstation.com/trains.shtml .

Good Luck,

Stephan                                                                                                                                                

 

 

 

 

 

[ttrigg]

Duo:

To all beginners I recommend the following.  Before your first purchase of anything, make the decisions: 
1. What era do you want to work in; Steam era?, Late Steam / Early Diesel?, Modern diesel?
2. Will your layout be primarily passenger traffic?, heavy freight?, mainline or small out of the way branch line?
THEN go buy a starter set.  You will come home with a box that contains your first engine a pair of cars, an oval of track and a transformer/power supply.  Pick up a few sections of straight track and a couple of switches.
Take the starter kit out to the yard, put it into the dirt and watch it grow.
The "best" (and how I hate that word) track arrangement is the one you like and you will ultimately design.  Flat real estate can always be modified.  Build your own mountains where you need them to be, that way your tunnels will be where you want them.
When you begin your major expansion I would offer the following advise.  After you have made your selection of whether to go with brass or stainless or aluminum rails, start buying "flex" track.  The longer sections of "flex" track (in 5, 8, & 10 ft lengths) provide many benefits to the garden railroad.  Longer rails means fewer rail joints for the wheels to "pick" and derail.  Easy joint staggering, thus smother running.  Fewer joints to experience "power failure" should you go with track power.  Use rail clamps, both Hillmans and Split Jaw are top of the line and will provide many years of super alignment and electrical conductivity.  When planning your GRR use the largest curves that your yard will allow, 8 to 10 foot diameter curves if possible.  Some equipment will NOT make it on the 4 ft diameter of the starter set rails.  Anything less than 6 ft diameters will start limiting the size and type of the equipment you can use.  Most everything can handle the 6 ft diameter curves, but some of it looks bad doing it.  The larger curves make things look better.

[altterrain]

My back yard is pretty flat too. Too much so for my tastes so I did create some bermed areas and a stream to break it up. Garden trains do prefer flatter terrain but a 2 - 3% grade (2 to 3 inch drop or rise over 8 feet) is acceptable for most trains. You can see pics of my layout my clicking on my signature below. I have two loops so I can run two trains at once and just expanded my outer loop. I started out with just three switches (two for a passing siding which was one of my best ideas since it allows you to run two trains on one track taking turns) but I am in the process of adding ten more so I can do more switching. That said I like my loops for just putting on the trains and enjoying a tasty beverage in the evenings (lighted passenger cars are a must for night running!)

Types of trains are a matter of preference and the scale you choose to model. Large scale breaks down primarily into two camps - the 3 foot narrow gauge in 1:20.3 scale made by Bachmann (Spectrum Line) and Accucraft/AMS and the standard gauge guys in 1:29 scale made by AristoCraft and  USA (diesels and big steam). There is also a mix of incorrect scale narrow gauge trains in 1:22.5 from LGB and Bachmann (Big Hauler line like the 4-6-0) and 1:24 from Aristo Classics line, USA American series and Hartland Locomotive Works.

I have a mix of trains a few of the 1:22.5 and 1:24 steamers and 1:29 diesels which look good when running together but I tend to run the appropriate rolling stock with each locomotive (early freight and passenger cars with the steamers and modern with the diesels). The size difference between the 1:20.3 and the 1:29 is pretty significant so I prefer the "off" scale stuff.

I have picked up most of my trains second hand and I really have not picked up a bad one. My Aristo FA-1 and RS-3 are both very reliable and are early diesels so they mix well with steam (the little Critter is half a RS-3).  I have two AristoClassic C-16s (2-8-0) and both run well for me. Aristo is coming out with a C-16 with a stronger drive train to pull more cars sometime this Summer. The Bachmann shays, climaxes and heislers (1:20.3) and the 4-6-0 "Annie" (a souped up version of the Big Hauler) are also very popular. I have an Aristo 0-4-0 which I don't like much. Its too fast, light and the wheels get dirty often. After it undergoes the knife for a kitbashing I hope to get it working better.

Most of all have fun with it and check out your local garden railroad club (I think quite a few guys from MA actually belong to the NH club - http://www.nhgrs.com/index.html)!

-Brian 

[ghelman]

Welcome to the forum. Your questions will bring different opinions. In the end you will have to decide what you like. As far as track plan, decide on what you like about running trains. Do you like to do some switching? Or, do you just like to watch them run. The tack layout is really all about what you are going to do. A lot of people like to watch trains run over one another on bridges and such. Just, do your home work and keep the grade <2%. Some locomotives can pull more of a grade some cannot. Locomotive choice is again what you like. Steam or diesel, both work well. What locomotive you start with depends a lot on your smallest diameter track. Steam locos have more moving parts. A very good diesel is the Aristo Little Critter switcher. It was my first locomotive. It does a lot of maintenance work on my RR. Take a look around the intranet for some pics of RR. Most of all keep coming back to this forum. You will learn so much. Sometimes so many different ideas and it is hard to make up your mind, but, always meant to be helpful.      Good Luck.

[two tone]

Hi, we are a good gang on here always willing to help if we can. As you do not say where you are Im gessing US, so I use LGB track and turnouts/points my points are electric controlled saves running around to keep changing them. Locos and stock I use bachmann find them ok for a start or you can go for lgb its up to you get a couple of caolouges and see what you think will suit you. I controll my layout with the Crest train engineer can not fault this unit. My points are controlled with the accessories that you can get for the train engineer.  Hope this helps   good luck with getting it up and running  The choice is for you to deside as to steam or deisel.

[Duo]

I am planning on starting my own garden railroad but don't know whats the best track arrangment. My yard is mostly flat except for the far back. Can anyone help me out?

And also I am wondering what is the best type of locomotives to use for a first timer. Steam or diesel? Can anyone help me out with this?

I know I forgot to say but I'm from Central Massachusetts.