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Garden Railroading on A budget

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  • Member since
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  • From: Australia
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Posted by Gary Crawley on Sunday, November 7, 2004 11:51 PM
I use Aristo track and found it to be great quality, half the price of LGB (in Australia) and also a greater range.
I also have a Bachmann Mogul running on batteries and it runs so sweet.
Most of my buildings are scratch built (saves heaps)
Gary
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Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 6, 2004 3:43 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by carpenter matt

QUOTE: Originally posted by Capt Carrales

Bachmann is a good alternative, I may later use Aristo and LGB. But I have to do with what I can afford.


I'm with you Capt. The fact remains that LGB is WAY OVERPRICED! I'm going to build a 2-6-0 Mogul like the one in my signature out of a Bachmann 4-6-0 on the advice based on some other modelers. Doing this I'll get motive power alot sooner then waiting for LGB Mogul money and get a more prototypical 2-6-0 to boot!

Bought the last 4-6-0 a guy had for $150.00 No more [B)]
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Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 6, 2004 2:50 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Capt Carrales

Bachmann is a good alternative, I may later use Aristo and LGB. But I have to do with what I can afford.


I'm with you Capt. The fact remains that LGB is WAY OVERPRICED! I'm going to build a 2-6-0 Mogul like the one in my signature out of a Bachmann 4-6-0 on the advice based on some other modelers. Doing this I'll get motive power alot sooner then waiting for LGB Mogul money and get a more prototypical 2-6-0 to boot!
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Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 6, 2004 12:32 PM
Bachmann is a good alternative, I may later use Aristo and LGB. But I have to do with what I can afford.
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Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, November 6, 2004 8:13 AM
Railroading on a buget is really very easy, just don't shop at the local hobby shop and order from dicounters and don't buy LGB to start off with and go with bachman or aristo craft. Aristo track is alot cheaper than lgb and just as good.
  • Member since
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  • From: Australia
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Posted by Gary Crawley on Saturday, November 6, 2004 5:18 AM
Nick
Maybe you could look at an Aussie narrow gauge railway. If you ever want any information drop me an email or chat on the forum.
We have a lot of interesting lines. (sugar cane, mining, loging etc.)
I would only be to willing to help you or anybody else.
Regards
Gary
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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 5, 2004 1:05 PM
Hey Ya'll

Well, he is retiering next year and he has been hinting on a move to England or Austrailia. By the way, These are craftsmen ship models he has created for me. He even mad all of the detaiils and the only thing I had to add was the trucks and couplers.

I have been atrracted to English/British narrow gauge, so I have been converted. How ever, I willm buy American too, but it will be mostly british.

Nick
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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 5, 2004 10:04 AM
start slow and easy you got the rest of your life it will come to you sooner or later becarefull it will grow on you.
good luck and happy RR to you!
  • Member since
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  • From: Australia
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Posted by Gary Crawley on Thursday, November 4, 2004 10:17 PM
Hey Nick
Ask your shop teacher if he wants to move to Australia, I could use the help.
Gary
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, November 4, 2004 7:10 PM
Hey Ya'll

Well, instead of just buying ready made stuff, I have been introduced to the wounderful world of sratchbuilding.

I have a caboose (not yet finished), and short boxcar (built for my by my shop teacher form GR plans), a short flatcar (also a shop teacher one), and 3 short gondolas are on the way (shop teacher also).

I am less than halfway finished with an 0-4-2T Baldwin (inspired from a garden railways photo contest photo) It is coming along steadily and with luck, It will be finished before Thanksgiving.

Nick

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Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, October 16, 2004 4:52 AM

When visiting stores I'm always on the lookout for inexpensive items that might work for my layout. The walls for my Mount Moriah Cemetery are a resin planter found in the garden department at Wal-Mart for $5. The figures and tombstones are Lemax Halloween and Christmas items, with the exception of the creepy caretaker at the rear.

A future addition to this scene will be a $5 diecast panel truck re-painted black to represent a funeral hearse.
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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, October 15, 2004 11:28 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by carpenter matt

QUOTE: Originally posted by Torby

QUOTE: Dang, I can just imagine the Matterhorn ride!!!!


Actually, it's called "The Grand Titons[:D]"


Apparently they are supposed to me strip mined soon, according to the press.[:D]


I am reminded of John Clease when he says...

(putting hand over eye and looking both at Eric Idle and to Eric's right) Well bang goes his application then. (he tears up form) Now let me fill you in. I'm leading this expedition and we're going to climb both peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Ha!
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Posted by grandpopswalt on Friday, October 15, 2004 10:15 PM
Vic, Torby. Matt, and Jose,

You guys are a hoot! Matterhorn, Titones, strip mining, Kilimanjaro ....... how do you guys manage to keep abreast of all of this?

Walt
"You get too soon old and too late smart" - Amish origin
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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, October 15, 2004 5:51 PM
If i had to do a garden railroad on a budget , I wouldn't have a garden rail road yet , it would be in the planning stages yet. no track, no engines, no cars , i buy when i have the money , and i'm getting ready to buy more track. BEN [:)]
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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, October 15, 2004 1:53 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Torby

QUOTE: Dang, I can just imagine the Matterhorn ride!!!!


Actually, it's called "The Grand Titons[:D]"


Apparently they are supposed to me strip mined soon, according to the press.[:D]
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Posted by Tom The Brat on Friday, October 15, 2004 10:27 AM
QUOTE: Dang, I can just imagine the Matterhorn ride!!!!


Actually, it's called "The Grand Titons[:D]"
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Posted by vsmith on Thursday, October 14, 2004 6:35 PM
Dollywood??? Is this a theme-park devoted to Dolly Parton? ...like Disneyland?

.....Dang, I can just imagine the Matterhorn ride!!!!

   Have fun with your trains

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  • From: Virginia Beach
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Posted by tangerine-jack on Thursday, October 14, 2004 3:49 PM
It's been many years since I've been to Dollywood, I think around '85 or '86. That's where I developed my love/hate relationship with raccoons. One of the little buggers stole my putt-putt ball, in broad daylight no less! Sorry to go off topic, but have fun while you're there and I hope you come back with lots of new (thrifty) ideas! [oX)]

The Dixie D Short Line "Lux Lucet In Tenebris Nihil Igitur Mors Est Ad Nos 2001"

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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, October 14, 2004 2:40 PM
Hey Ya'll

tangerinejack, I'm sorry about that, but Dollywood is where my love for Garden Railroading began 1 year ago. See my topic Garden Railroading and the Mountains in the live Steam forum.

Nick
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  • From: Virginia Beach
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Posted by tangerine-jack on Thursday, October 14, 2004 1:07 PM
Such is life to be overshadowed by Dollywood (been there, done that)...............Oh well, keep the steel wheels down![oX)]

The Dixie D Short Line "Lux Lucet In Tenebris Nihil Igitur Mors Est Ad Nos 2001"

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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, October 14, 2004 11:52 AM
Hey Ya'll

I had originally palnned for that Radius and just drew up a simple track plan for it.

I will be having a Steam Up sometime next fall.

Nick

P:S: tangerinejack, I would love to get in touch with you, but sadly, my parents have that thing where I can't get e-mail and we have postponed our trip to Dollywood and we are going on those exact days. Sorry.
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Posted by vsmith on Thursday, October 14, 2004 11:25 AM
The Accucraft Mogul and C-16 requires a 5 or 6 foot min diameter curve if my memory is correct. I'll stand by my last suggestion use no smaller than R2 which is 6 foot or close to.

   Have fun with your trains

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Posted by tangerine-jack on Thursday, October 14, 2004 10:52 AM
Hey locomotive10, I will be in Myrtle Beach on December 11-12. Contact me via email from my bio block and maybe we can get in touch.[oX)]

The Dixie D Short Line "Lux Lucet In Tenebris Nihil Igitur Mors Est Ad Nos 2001"

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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, October 14, 2004 10:04 AM
Hey Ya'll

vsmith. The largest Locomotives I plan to run are A bachmann Annie, a Bachmann Spectrum 2-6-0, and a Bachmann Spectrum 4-4-0. I plan to run a Accucraft Live Steam 2-6-0 or a C-16 when I have every thing done and I am ready to make a purchase.
I was hoping to get that switch advice. Thanks.

Nick
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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, October 13, 2004 7:48 PM
No Kim I am not sure about that i have been doing some study on it and I think toilets should be at the rear end in Angl Saxon Coubtries however in Italy they have them together ie at the back of one carrirriage and at the front ot f the next one in line .

My Italian isn't that good but when I enquired the idea of having them together if one is occupied you will still have another nearby.

This is an important matter for me as the switch for my lights is on the opposite side to the stink pipe, so you can see my interest is not just idle curiosity.


Rgs Ian
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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, October 13, 2004 3:38 PM
Hey Ya'll

I don't plan to run anything larger than a 2-8-2.

Nick
  • Member since
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  • From: Smoggy L.A.
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Posted by vsmith on Wednesday, October 13, 2004 12:00 PM
Are you planning on EVER running anything bigger than a Ruby or similar 2 axle loco on your layout? If so even though they are Muy Expensive but I would invest in 16000 series switches instead of 12000 series. Those switches will KILL you price wise but you have the opertunity to run bigger locos and cars, same for curves, dont buy anything smaller than R2 if you want bigger non-LGB locos.

   Have fun with your trains

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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, October 13, 2004 11:53 AM
Hey Ya'll

The track for this plan will cost about $100-$130. That is less than I expected. I plan to use LGB track due to the fact I get a discount on it. It'll probably cost me $90-$110 with the discount. I think I'll add a switch later on.

Nick
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  • From: North of Chicago
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Posted by Tom The Brat on Wednesday, October 13, 2004 11:07 AM
Sorry about the age thing, Nick. I got my first camera when I was 13 by working in the camera shop. I couldn't work the print dryer, but that was the only "hazardous equipment" he could think of in the place.

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