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Im new and have a few ???'s

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  • Member since
    January 2006
  • From: Sandy Eggo, CA
  • 1,279 posts
Posted by Ray Dunakin on Monday, September 5, 2011 11:52 PM

Welcome aboard, and welcome to "large scale" railroading!

 

SMassey

Is there anything like flex track?  Or is sectional track all there is?

 

Yes, there is flex track but it's a bit different than in the smaller scales. The ties and rails are separate, and you need a tool called a "rail bender" to curve the rails into the proper shapes. The ties are slipped on after the rails have been bent. You can buy the rail bender yourself, or your local club may own a bender for members to use.

 

SMassey
What kind of radii can I expect an SD40-2 or GP38-2 engine to handle with no problem.

I can't help you with that one, I only run smaller locos on my layout.

 

SMassey
Where is a good place for a beginner to start looking for information on how to lay track, plan and build a successful garden layout.

Check to see if there is a local garden railway club in your area. If so, you can get a lot of help from fellow RR's, in person.

You can also get lots of info here and on other forums and websites. (Google "garden railroad" or "large scale railroading".)

Of course, Garden Railways magazine is great resource too, plus I believe they have a book or two of useful info for beginners.

 

 

 Visit www.raydunakin.com to see pics of the rugged and rocky In-ko-pah Railroad!
  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: Spanaway, WA
  • 787 posts
Im new and have a few ???'s
Posted by SMassey on Monday, September 5, 2011 9:21 PM

OK, Hi guys.  I am not new to trains but I am new to G-scale.  I have been modeling HO scale for almost 10 years now.  My wife and I have been talking about how to spruce up the back yard.  I will post some pics but you can trust me when I say it is not a pretty sight.  So I half joked that we needed a G-scale train running around the "islands" we have in the back and she agreed.  This is a huge WOW moment believe me.  She was still good to go with the idea even after I showed her some pricing and what not.  So now that the back story is done here are my questions.

 

Is there anything like flex track?  Or is sectional track all there is?

What kind of radii can I expect an SD40-2 or GP38-2 engine to handle with no problem.

Where is a good place for a beginner to start looking for information on how to lay track, plan and build a successful garden layout.

 

Massey

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