wet behind the ears- beginner

[Anonymous]

Kim and John;

I have been determined to make my railway fit my garden and not vice versa, so I have come up against your problem several times. To make matters worse I live in the tropics and things grow so fast you can nearly watch them. I have many tropical ferns and palms around my layout and the biggest single problem is with them growing bigger and everything goes ok for a while and all of a sudden you get a stoppage or a derailment and its the same old culprits all the time, and I think they might have something of a permanent or serious nature happen to them soon.

However your root problem is not too hard, heres what i have done with some success.

1) Excavate around them as much as possible, over under and around don't stint.

2) Get a small saw and cut off what you can then repeat item (1), this wont hurt your plants or it hasn't mine.

3) if you have a really low point, run a bit of plastic conduit down to it and fill it with fine gravel. Make up a mixture of 3-4 parts fines to 1 part cement, mix well with water so that you get a very slightly sloppy to stiff mix.

4) Don't just pour it in, bring it up nearly level with your ballested way using a trowel to get the shape you want and then cover gently with fines.

5) Leave for a few days or untill you get your next tropical monsoon and check.

6) After that, lead a good life, be kind to your wife and kids and all should be ok.

Best of luck

Ian

PS You can guess we are having a wet day here on the Sunshine Coast, very rare but it happens, thats why I have answered everything going.

[Anonymous]

Kim and John;

I have been determined to make my railway fit my garden and not vice versa, so I have come up against your problem several times. To make matters worse I live in the tropics and things grow so fast you can nearly watch them. I have many tropical ferns and palms around my layout and the biggest single problem is with them growing bigger and everything goes ok for a while and all of a sudden you get a stoppage or a derailment and its the same old culprits all the time, and I think they might have something of a permanent or serious nature happen to them soon.

However your root problem is not too hard, heres what i have done with some success.

1) Excavate around them as much as possible, over under and around don't stint.

2) Get a small saw and cut off what you can then repeat item (1), this wont hurt your plants or it hasn't mine.

3) if you have a really low point, run a bit of plastic conduit down to it and fill it with fine gravel. Make up a mixture of 3-4 parts fines to 1 part cement, mix well with water so that you get a very slightly sloppy to stiff mix.

4) Don't just pour it in, bring it up nearly level with your ballested way using a trowel to get the shape you want and then cover gently with fines.

5) Leave for a few days or untill you get your next tropical monsoon and check.

6) After that, lead a good life, be kind to your wife and kids and all should be ok.

Best of luck

Ian

PS You can guess we are having a wet day here on the Sunshine Coast, very rare but it happens, thats why I have answered everything going.

[Anonymous]

Hi john Lat
This is a situation that often happens in the garden where preexisting plants are in the way of the line.
there are usualy three options
pull it out :-this usualy means trouble as murphies law as aplied to garden railways
dictates it will be domestic managements favorite plant.
re route the line to avoid said plant
or Vsmiths option go over the area my thoughts on this one are a little diferent in that if it was me I would build or get built a propper bridge made of steel or aluminium to cross the area.
The absence of water underneath I dont see as a problem being in Aus we have a few bridges that apear to have been built for fun that is untill winter when the reason becomes all to aparrent.
regards John

[Anonymous]

Hi john Lat
This is a situation that often happens in the garden where preexisting plants are in the way of the line.
there are usualy three options
pull it out :-this usualy means trouble as murphies law as aplied to garden railways
dictates it will be domestic managements favorite plant.
re route the line to avoid said plant
or Vsmiths option go over the area my thoughts on this one are a little diferent in that if it was me I would build or get built a propper bridge made of steel or aluminium to cross the area.
The absence of water underneath I dont see as a problem being in Aus we have a few bridges that apear to have been built for fun that is untill winter when the reason becomes all to aparrent.
regards John

[vsmith]

QUOTE: Originally posted by JohnLat

Hello Everyone

Right now I am stumped, because I have some permanent landscaped plants, that I can't move where I need to lay the track, between them and a fence, but the roots are near the surface so I cannot dig a trench to put in the crusher fine ballast.

Any suggestions on how to lay the track, if you can't dig a trench to put in the ballast?
I don't want to just lay the track in the dirt.

Thanks
John

John, and Jim

why not bridge over the offending roots? all you would need is a couple of pressure treated 2x4's and a 2x6 on top to allow the track to span over the rooted area, or plan on elevating the route a couple of inches so that it clears the roots at the bad spots?

Just a couple of suggestions.

[vsmith]

QUOTE: Originally posted by JohnLat

Hello Everyone

Right now I am stumped, because I have some permanent landscaped plants, that I can't move where I need to lay the track, between them and a fence, but the roots are near the surface so I cannot dig a trench to put in the crusher fine ballast.

Any suggestions on how to lay the track, if you can't dig a trench to put in the ballast?
I don't want to just lay the track in the dirt.

Thanks
John

John, and Jim

why not bridge over the offending roots? all you would need is a couple of pressure treated 2x4's and a 2x6 on top to allow the track to span over the rooted area, or plan on elevating the route a couple of inches so that it clears the roots at the bad spots?

Just a couple of suggestions.

[Anonymous]

Hi,

A great way to get going is to buy a starter set with everything in, some extra track if you have the funds, cut the grass, set it up with the mains unit indoors and run those trains. In the UK the LGB starter sets are well priced - to get you hooked - and the quality is superb. I ran mine on Sunday for a few hours and did a pu***est on one of my Bachmann coaches and my LGB drovers caboose, both lighted. A good push on the Bachmann sent it a few feet down the track, the LGB went on, and on and on - the moral being, you get what you pay for. Whichever make you get, don't forget the lubrication, Hobby Lube do a good 6 pack of all you need, and follow the makers instructions. Happy railroading.
Cheers,
Kim

[Anonymous]

Hi,

A great way to get going is to buy a starter set with everything in, some extra track if you have the funds, cut the grass, set it up with the mains unit indoors and run those trains. In the UK the LGB starter sets are well priced - to get you hooked - and the quality is superb. I ran mine on Sunday for a few hours and did a pu***est on one of my Bachmann coaches and my LGB drovers caboose, both lighted. A good push on the Bachmann sent it a few feet down the track, the LGB went on, and on and on - the moral being, you get what you pay for. Whichever make you get, don't forget the lubrication, Hobby Lube do a good 6 pack of all you need, and follow the makers instructions. Happy railroading.
Cheers,
Kim

[Anonymous]

Hi Kevin Graham
raid my profile and Email me I am in West Australia as well.
will assist where I can by the way AMRA in Perth have an active large scale group in Perth that covers both electric and steam trains in the garden.
Check out the Toenail Ridge shortline web site for a start
!/2 acre that will do a good job of getting you into trouble[:D][#welcome][wow]
regards John

[Anonymous]

Hi Kevin Graham
raid my profile and Email me I am in West Australia as well.
will assist where I can by the way AMRA in Perth have an active large scale group in Perth that covers both electric and steam trains in the garden.
Check out the Toenail Ridge shortline web site for a start
!/2 acre that will do a good job of getting you into trouble[:D][#welcome][wow]
regards John

[Anonymous]

Hi tom
you will need to get in touch with local modelers to find out how the deal with your winters without the railway breaking up in the cold.
It can be done.
Read as much as you can on the subject
Ask questions here remember the stupid question is the one you did not ask when you should have.
[#welcome]
regards John

[Anonymous]

Hi tom
you will need to get in touch with local modelers to find out how the deal with your winters without the railway breaking up in the cold.
It can be done.
Read as much as you can on the subject
Ask questions here remember the stupid question is the one you did not ask when you should have.
[#welcome]
regards John

[Anonymous]

Well Tom you have been given some very good advice, but I would put in my little bit. My advice is not to buy anytyhing that you will regret later. A starter set is a good idea it is inexpensive and gives you a bit of everything. But don't forget when you get further into it you may not want a bit of everything and what you have may be not what you now want. So if you decide to buy anything, don't; wait three months and if you still want it then, well go ahead.

My advice is to decide early on if you want to go digital or not, if so buy a digital starter set. This is a big ask I know; to decide this. It is expensive, very expensive but it lets you do things easily that you would not be able to dream of. The wiring, expense and extra planning once you get into more complex set ups is inceredible, compared to what you have to do if you get into digital contol in the early stages. I did and I am very pleased that I have, I can do virtually anything I like as far as control is concerned, no fancy wiring, very few isolated track sections, no irritationg restrictions. But digital is a mine field inits own right and I am not happy with the reliability of my equipment but I would not choose the other route under any circumstances. I emphasise digital is expensive to get started more than double the cost but as you go on, you will be glad that you have paid the extra.

The advice to get in touch with Old Dad is good, he has a great setup, his mountains are to die for and he is good fellow.

To MMS I was surprised that you thought that Canada was down under; I live down under and Canada is nowhere near where I live. Down under is in the Southern Hemisphere of the planet and mainly includes Australia and New Zealand and a few Pacific Islands.

Regards. Ian: Kawana Island Tropical Railway; Sunshine Coast. Queensland. Australia.

[Anonymous]

Well Tom you have been given some very good advice, but I would put in my little bit. My advice is not to buy anytyhing that you will regret later. A starter set is a good idea it is inexpensive and gives you a bit of everything. But don't forget when you get further into it you may not want a bit of everything and what you have may be not what you now want. So if you decide to buy anything, don't; wait three months and if you still want it then, well go ahead.

My advice is to decide early on if you want to go digital or not, if so buy a digital starter set. This is a big ask I know; to decide this. It is expensive, very expensive but it lets you do things easily that you would not be able to dream of. The wiring, expense and extra planning once you get into more complex set ups is inceredible, compared to what you have to do if you get into digital contol in the early stages. I did and I am very pleased that I have, I can do virtually anything I like as far as control is concerned, no fancy wiring, very few isolated track sections, no irritationg restrictions. But digital is a mine field inits own right and I am not happy with the reliability of my equipment but I would not choose the other route under any circumstances. I emphasise digital is expensive to get started more than double the cost but as you go on, you will be glad that you have paid the extra.

The advice to get in touch with Old Dad is good, he has a great setup, his mountains are to die for and he is good fellow.

To MMS I was surprised that you thought that Canada was down under; I live down under and Canada is nowhere near where I live. Down under is in the Southern Hemisphere of the planet and mainly includes Australia and New Zealand and a few Pacific Islands.

Regards. Ian: Kawana Island Tropical Railway; Sunshine Coast. Queensland. Australia.

[Anonymous]

Jd, get in touch with Olddad he makes his own spline roadbed with Trex, Trex is a manmade decking material( plastic composite or somthing) look for Olddads FYI links post to get in touch with him. I've seen his photos (e-mailed) and it look like it might work for you.

[Anonymous]

Jd, get in touch with Olddad he makes his own spline roadbed with Trex, Trex is a manmade decking material( plastic composite or somthing) look for Olddads FYI links post to get in touch with him. I've seen his photos (e-mailed) and it look like it might work for you.

[Jim Duda]

I'm stumped too, which is why I haven't moved ahead on this. I would prefer a simple, elevated, 20 foot diameter oval, about 12 inches above ground - the ground is pretty much flat. The supports could be 1 in. round pipe or conduit, with square 1/8 in. thick steel pads welded or brazed on the pipe to support the trackbed, placed 3 - 5 ft. apart (depending on the thickness/strength of the material.

But this is where I'm stumped...what to use for the roadbed? Since it will be continuously curved, it would require LOTS of pressure treated lumber to outline the track, with lots of excess, unused lumber. Anyway, maybe I'll come up with a simple, inexpensive method of constructing the roadbed. Any suggestions?

JD

[Jim Duda]

I'm stumped too, which is why I haven't moved ahead on this. I would prefer a simple, elevated, 20 foot diameter oval, about 12 inches above ground - the ground is pretty much flat. The supports could be 1 in. round pipe or conduit, with square 1/8 in. thick steel pads welded or brazed on the pipe to support the trackbed, placed 3 - 5 ft. apart (depending on the thickness/strength of the material.

But this is where I'm stumped...what to use for the roadbed? Since it will be continuously curved, it would require LOTS of pressure treated lumber to outline the track, with lots of excess, unused lumber. Anyway, maybe I'll come up with a simple, inexpensive method of constructing the roadbed. Any suggestions?

JD

[Anonymous]

Hello Everyone

My name is John and I live just outside Los Angeles. I'm brand new to garden RR, but not new to model RRs. I have been in and out of HO for 25 years. Amazingly, if you had asked me one week ago if I was interested in garden RR, I would have said no. I have seen some shows on HGTV about garden RR, and it looked pretty nice, but I thought it was out of my reach. Anyway, here is what happened. My wife and I were in a second hand store, and I found a plastic bag full of large scale train equipment for $13 in the toy section. I knew practically nothing about G scale equipment, and researched it here on the internet. What I discovered was that I had an early Bachman 4-6-0 starter set, battery & RC controlled.
I had illusions of upgrading the loco, but after cleaning it up and running it, I found it performed poorly, just like everyone said it would on the net and it had plastic wheels and detailing which looked too fake. I found a guy in Las Vegas who had an upgrade kit but for the cost I could buy a brand new loco. The second hand rolling stock (3 cars) are in good shape and considering new ones are $25-$75$ each, I'd say I came out ahead. I added some metal wheels ($11) on one car and plan to do the same to the others. The real killer in expense is the track. I learn fast., and after talking to some people and studying the farden RR beginners book by Kalmbach, I went out bought about 100 feet of USA track after surveying and measuring my yard and a Bachman Anniversary edition 4-6-0 loco, which is by far the best deal. The Spectrums are nice but twice as expensive, and I did'nt think it was worth the extra cost.
Eventually, I'm going to convert the loco to full RC.
Right now I am stumped, because I have some permanent landscaped plants, that I can't move where I need to lay the track, between them and a fence, but the roots are near the surface so I cannot dig a trench to put in the crusher fine ballast.

Any suggestions on how to lay the track, if you can't dig a trench to put in the ballast?
I don't want to just lay the track in the dirt.

Thanks
John

[Anonymous]

Hello Everyone

My name is John and I live just outside Los Angeles. I'm brand new to garden RR, but not new to model RRs. I have been in and out of HO for 25 years. Amazingly, if you had asked me one week ago if I was interested in garden RR, I would have said no. I have seen some shows on HGTV about garden RR, and it looked pretty nice, but I thought it was out of my reach. Anyway, here is what happened. My wife and I were in a second hand store, and I found a plastic bag full of large scale train equipment for $13 in the toy section. I knew practically nothing about G scale equipment, and researched it here on the internet. What I discovered was that I had an early Bachman 4-6-0 starter set, battery & RC controlled.
I had illusions of upgrading the loco, but after cleaning it up and running it, I found it performed poorly, just like everyone said it would on the net and it had plastic wheels and detailing which looked too fake. I found a guy in Las Vegas who had an upgrade kit but for the cost I could buy a brand new loco. The second hand rolling stock (3 cars) are in good shape and considering new ones are $25-$75$ each, I'd say I came out ahead. I added some metal wheels ($11) on one car and plan to do the same to the others. The real killer in expense is the track. I learn fast., and after talking to some people and studying the farden RR beginners book by Kalmbach, I went out bought about 100 feet of USA track after surveying and measuring my yard and a Bachman Anniversary edition 4-6-0 loco, which is by far the best deal. The Spectrums are nice but twice as expensive, and I did'nt think it was worth the extra cost.
Eventually, I'm going to convert the loco to full RC.
Right now I am stumped, because I have some permanent landscaped plants, that I can't move where I need to lay the track, between them and a fence, but the roots are near the surface so I cannot dig a trench to put in the crusher fine ballast.

Any suggestions on how to lay the track, if you can't dig a trench to put in the ballast?
I don't want to just lay the track in the dirt.

Thanks
John

[spjrr]

Tom,
The most improtant already mentioned thing is if there is a club in your area, that is a great way to learn. Learn is the important thing here...so many start buying stuff to early and find out later they should have waited. Relax and learn from the others. If you are close to the New York area, there is a lot of garden railroading happening there and you could join a club there to see what is going on .

[spjrr]

Tom,
The most improtant already mentioned thing is if there is a club in your area, that is a great way to learn. Learn is the important thing here...so many start buying stuff to early and find out later they should have waited. Relax and learn from the others. If you are close to the New York area, there is a lot of garden railroading happening there and you could join a club there to see what is going on .

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by mlundquist


I'll give you my experiences and opinions.

Hope you don't mind if I piggyback on another newby's request. Your response will really help me. I did the cut & paste thing into a document so I can refer to it in the future. Most of RR is in boxes but I have set up a loop with a couple sidings on my 30X40 front porch. Had to have something to run until house is done enough that I feel OK about working on garden RR. House is above a walk out basement so porch is 10 feet above ground. Only problem so far has been nosey raccoons visiting during the night. After that I always bring trains into house overnight. I may put up flashing around support posts to stop that problem.
I may pick you brain later for help building my pike. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by mlundquist


I'll give you my experiences and opinions.

Hope you don't mind if I piggyback on another newby's request. Your response will really help me. I did the cut & paste thing into a document so I can refer to it in the future. Most of RR is in boxes but I have set up a loop with a couple sidings on my 30X40 front porch. Had to have something to run until house is done enough that I feel OK about working on garden RR. House is above a walk out basement so porch is 10 feet above ground. Only problem so far has been nosey raccoons visiting during the night. After that I always bring trains into house overnight. I may put up flashing around support posts to stop that problem.
I may pick you brain later for help building my pike. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by KevinGraham

First time on the site...like others a newcomer. Am about to swap from HO which never got started to Garden which will get started. Have a small property..19 acres in SW Western Australia...getting close to retirement and this is to be a toy for me. Plan to purchase LGB Kit 74255 as a starter and have allocated 1/2 acre to landscape and track and then watch the track grows.... and the bank account diminish. My wife is supportive so here goes. Would welcome any input or suggestions.

I'm new too. Found this forum yesterday. Looks like there are a lot of folks in Garden RR down under. I suspect there are clubs. That's the best way I know to get started. I suggest trying to have your wife be active in the hobby. I'm a woman model railroader and have been volunteer at 1:1 railroad museum. Many women enjoy this hobby. A lot of them are involved in garden railroads. Some only for the garden, which is a big help, but many others take a big interest in the railroad portion. If she is interested in history you have a good start already. If she does crafting or sewing she has skills that could be expanded to use on the railroad. Look for garden railroads to visit or shows/conventions to attend.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by KevinGraham

First time on the site...like others a newcomer. Am about to swap from HO which never got started to Garden which will get started. Have a small property..19 acres in SW Western Australia...getting close to retirement and this is to be a toy for me. Plan to purchase LGB Kit 74255 as a starter and have allocated 1/2 acre to landscape and track and then watch the track grows.... and the bank account diminish. My wife is supportive so here goes. Would welcome any input or suggestions.

I'm new too. Found this forum yesterday. Looks like there are a lot of folks in Garden RR down under. I suspect there are clubs. That's the best way I know to get started. I suggest trying to have your wife be active in the hobby. I'm a woman model railroader and have been volunteer at 1:1 railroad museum. Many women enjoy this hobby. A lot of them are involved in garden railroads. Some only for the garden, which is a big help, but many others take a big interest in the railroad portion. If she is interested in history you have a good start already. If she does crafting or sewing she has skills that could be expanded to use on the railroad. Look for garden railroads to visit or shows/conventions to attend.

[IvanFraser]

Hello Pastor Tom. We live in Bolton, ON so are close to Burlington. We are also new. Have two trains and some track , but none installed yet. We jopined the Central Ontario Garden Railway Association and have found the members extremely helpful, the open houses a great source of ideas and the social aspect is fun. There are some members realatively close to your area. Membership is very reasonable at $25 per year per family. The contact to join is Ross Webster, RR # 3, Georgetown, ON, L7G 4S6.
Hockley Valley railroad is a good place. The current owner is Dave Hails - also a great guy. Unfortunately he is moving to BC and the business is again for sale. The HVRR web site is www.hvrr.ca
Oh yes. It sounds like you are ahead of us as we plan on installing the lake, river, waterfall, mountains and hills next year . With luck a train before the snow.
Ivan

[IvanFraser]

Hello Pastor Tom. We live in Bolton, ON so are close to Burlington. We are also new. Have two trains and some track , but none installed yet. We jopined the Central Ontario Garden Railway Association and have found the members extremely helpful, the open houses a great source of ideas and the social aspect is fun. There are some members realatively close to your area. Membership is very reasonable at $25 per year per family. The contact to join is Ross Webster, RR # 3, Georgetown, ON, L7G 4S6.
Hockley Valley railroad is a good place. The current owner is Dave Hails - also a great guy. Unfortunately he is moving to BC and the business is again for sale. The HVRR web site is www.hvrr.ca
Oh yes. It sounds like you are ahead of us as we plan on installing the lake, river, waterfall, mountains and hills next year . With luck a train before the snow.
Ivan

[Rene Schweitzer]

Wow, everyone has already given you some great places to start. I just want to add that if you can find some garden railroads in your area, please visit them. It will give you an idea of what can be accomplished, and oftentimes the owners are more than willing to share their experiences. I know there are clubs in Canada, and I don't know how far you are from the Hockley Valley Railroad in Orangeville, but it's a great one, and David Goodhue is a nice guy. www.hvrr.on.ca

Rene