New starting layout in the backyard...

[Anonymous]

Hello cacone-

I live in Arizona also (Glendale) and had to figure out the local terminology for crusher fines. Around here it's called "Quarter Minus" meaning that it's all the rock particles which are sifted to a quarter inch and less. You get a lot of fine rock dust with it. I took a tour during the GR open house in the Valley last week and that seemed to be what all the layouts were running on. I'm in the process of starting my first outdoor layout and so far, the quarter minus seems to do the job.

[Anonymous]

Hello cacone-

I live in Arizona also (Glendale) and had to figure out the local terminology for crusher fines. Around here it's called "Quarter Minus" meaning that it's all the rock particles which are sifted to a quarter inch and less. You get a lot of fine rock dust with it. I took a tour during the GR open house in the Valley last week and that seemed to be what all the layouts were running on. I'm in the process of starting my first outdoor layout and so far, the quarter minus seems to do the job.

[smcgill]

myLarge scale.comForums is another great site to visit.
Check there posts on that subject also.
They have some members in your area!
Remember to have fun and take lots of pics!!

[smcgill]

myLarge scale.comForums is another great site to visit.
Check there posts on that subject also.
They have some members in your area!
Remember to have fun and take lots of pics!!

[grandpopswalt]

I'd like to change the subject just a little. Still on the subject of GR construction though.
Has anyone tried making track ties out of pressure treated lumber? I've been participating in this forum for a few months and have not yet read about anyone using PT for ties. I've made several 6' sections using code 250 rail spiked to PT ties with good success. The idea makes a lot of sense to me but I'm bothered by the fact that no one seems to be doing it, any ideas?

Walt

[grandpopswalt]

I'd like to change the subject just a little. Still on the subject of GR construction though.
Has anyone tried making track ties out of pressure treated lumber? I've been participating in this forum for a few months and have not yet read about anyone using PT for ties. I've made several 6' sections using code 250 rail spiked to PT ties with good success. The idea makes a lot of sense to me but I'm bothered by the fact that no one seems to be doing it, any ideas?

Walt

[Anonymous]

Hi
By now a list of books has probably been given my[2c] worth on other things
I use crusher dust for ballast.
Before geting carried away with milion's tracks on your track plan.
sit back relax have a cup of tea and think over the theme of your line what you want it too be ie std gauge or narrow gauge main line, branch line or logger
what is your existing garden like, what will threaten your safety if you mess with it (domestic managements favorite plant perhaps) all of this will affect your track plan before it is finalised.
I personaly favor having an oval in the track plan somewhere but what ever you do keep it simple enough to keep problems and maintainance to an absalute minimum, but have enough sidings and passing loops as apropriate to your theme to keep it interesting to operate.
regards John

[Anonymous]

Hi
By now a list of books has probably been given my[2c] worth on other things
I use crusher dust for ballast.
Before geting carried away with milion's tracks on your track plan.
sit back relax have a cup of tea and think over the theme of your line what you want it too be ie std gauge or narrow gauge main line, branch line or logger
what is your existing garden like, what will threaten your safety if you mess with it (domestic managements favorite plant perhaps) all of this will affect your track plan before it is finalised.
I personaly favor having an oval in the track plan somewhere but what ever you do keep it simple enough to keep problems and maintainance to an absalute minimum, but have enough sidings and passing loops as apropriate to your theme to keep it interesting to operate.
regards 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 garden 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 garden 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]

John, Maybe build a bridge over the root balls and lay down small stones to simulate a dry creek bed.

[Anonymous]

John, Maybe build a bridge over the root balls and lay down small stones to simulate a dry creek bed.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Matt

A bridge is something I will consider, but the distance from the base of these plants to the fence, is only 1 foot, which ain't much, and that is where I need to lay the track. Also the plants are about 6 feet high, along a 30 foot stretch. A bridge would be partially hidden behind the plants, so it might be a waste of an expensive structure (i.e., "the bridge").

Thanks again
John

[Anonymous]

Thanks Matt

A bridge is something I will consider, but the distance from the base of these plants to the fence, is only 1 foot, which ain't much, and that is where I need to lay the track. Also the plants are about 6 feet high, along a 30 foot stretch. A bridge would be partially hidden behind the plants, so it might be a waste of an expensive structure (i.e., "the bridge").

Thanks again
John

[Anonymous]

I too, am brand new to backyard layouts, though have been running HO for 10 or 12 years. I'm running out of room in the house and my eyes are ready for something bigger and easier to see. I was thinking about either O or G (though prefer the idea of G since it is more visible). Haven't started yet, since I need information/books on extreme weather setups. Here in Montana it gets to 40 below with high winds (windchill -60 to -80 at times) and deep (6ft or more drifts) snow. I realize the rolling stock MUST be brought in for winter, however, can structures survive harsh weather? Should I plan to mulch them every fall along with the peonies and roses, or would the weight of the snow and the cold destroy them? I'd hate to start this and then have it ruined. Space is not a problem as i have half an acre of land to work with. Most of it is unsheltered, though I have put in fence around part of the yard. I am guessing that battery/remote will be best for the trains, since 4-6 months under the snow would rust the track severely.

anyway, any books, websites, or advice BEFORE i start spending money would be greatly appreciated. I won't start building till next summer, so I have plenty of time to decide/plan before then. I have tried looking on my own, but there's so much out there now, it's hard to filter out the grain from the chaf.

maxine morgan

[Anonymous]

I too, am brand new to backyard layouts, though have been running HO for 10 or 12 years. I'm running out of room in the house and my eyes are ready for something bigger and easier to see. I was thinking about either O or G (though prefer the idea of G since it is more visible). Haven't started yet, since I need information/books on extreme weather setups. Here in Montana it gets to 40 below with high winds (windchill -60 to -80 at times) and deep (6ft or more drifts) snow. I realize the rolling stock MUST be brought in for winter, however, can structures survive harsh weather? Should I plan to mulch them every fall along with the peonies and roses, or would the weight of the snow and the cold destroy them? I'd hate to start this and then have it ruined. Space is not a problem as i have half an acre of land to work with. Most of it is unsheltered, though I have put in fence around part of the yard. I am guessing that battery/remote will be best for the trains, since 4-6 months under the snow would rust the track severely.

anyway, any books, websites, or advice BEFORE i start spending money would be greatly appreciated. I won't start building till next summer, so I have plenty of time to decide/plan before then. I have tried looking on my own, but there's so much out there now, it's hard to filter out the grain from the chaf.

maxine morgan

[Anonymous]

Hi John
If the bridge is out of sght and required for practical purposes
sorry mate you are going to have to build one
However it will not need to be a
flash one you could use a bit of PVC rectangular down pipe on simple suports all painted a natural earth or green tone with no fancy details
after all it is out of sight but needed to get passed the plants.
regards John

[Anonymous]

Hi John
If the bridge is out of sght and required for practical purposes
sorry mate you are going to have to build one
However it will not need to be a
flash one you could use a bit of PVC rectangular down pipe on simple suports all painted a natural earth or green tone with no fancy details
after all it is out of sight but needed to get passed the plants.
regards John

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by maxikyd

I too, am brand new to backyard layouts, though have been running HO for 10 or 12 years. I'm running out of room in the house and my eyes are ready for something bigger and easier to see. I was thinking about either O or G (though prefer the idea of G since it is more visible). Haven't started yet, since I need information/books on extreme weather setups. Here in Montana it gets to 40 below with high winds (windchill -60 to -80 at times) and deep (6ft or more drifts) snow. I realize the rolling stock MUST be brought in for winter, however, can structures survive harsh weather? Should I plan to mulch them every fall along with the peonies and roses, or would the weight of the snow and the cold destroy them? I'd hate to start this and then have it ruined. Space is not a problem as i have half an acre of land to work with. Most of it is unsheltered, though I have put in fence around part of the yard. I am guessing that battery/remote will be best for the trains, since 4-6 months under the snow would rust the track severely.

anyway, any books, websites, or advice BEFORE i start spending money would be greatly appreciated. I won't start building till next summer, so I have plenty of time to decide/plan before then. I have tried looking on my own, but there's so much out there now, it's hard to filter out the grain from the chaf.

maxine morgan

First Of All[#welcome] , this forum has alot of wonderful people all willing to answer any questions you have, the only dumb question is one that is not asked! Most rail for garden railroading is brass, some is stainless steel and some is aluminum. Brass oxidizes slower than brass with better conductivity. Aluminum oxidizesalot quicker than brass but is not as conductive. A few here in the forum use Stainless which still has tyo be cleaned ocasionally, but is still not as conductive as the brass rail.
The rule of thumb that I have read on this forum is if you plan to have over 200 foot of track go to battery power. Under 200 foot go track powered. Many do use track power on more than 200 foot layouts with little problems though.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by maxikyd

I too, am brand new to backyard layouts, though have been running HO for 10 or 12 years. I'm running out of room in the house and my eyes are ready for something bigger and easier to see. I was thinking about either O or G (though prefer the idea of G since it is more visible). Haven't started yet, since I need information/books on extreme weather setups. Here in Montana it gets to 40 below with high winds (windchill -60 to -80 at times) and deep (6ft or more drifts) snow. I realize the rolling stock MUST be brought in for winter, however, can structures survive harsh weather? Should I plan to mulch them every fall along with the peonies and roses, or would the weight of the snow and the cold destroy them? I'd hate to start this and then have it ruined. Space is not a problem as i have half an acre of land to work with. Most of it is unsheltered, though I have put in fence around part of the yard. I am guessing that battery/remote will be best for the trains, since 4-6 months under the snow would rust the track severely.

anyway, any books, websites, or advice BEFORE i start spending money would be greatly appreciated. I won't start building till next summer, so I have plenty of time to decide/plan before then. I have tried looking on my own, but there's so much out there now, it's hard to filter out the grain from the chaf.

maxine morgan

First Of All[#welcome] , this forum has alot of wonderful people all willing to answer any questions you have, the only dumb question is one that is not asked! Most rail for garden railroading is brass, some is stainless steel and some is aluminum. Brass oxidizes slower than brass with better conductivity. Aluminum oxidizesalot quicker than brass but is not as conductive. A few here in the forum use Stainless which still has tyo be cleaned ocasionally, but is still not as conductive as the brass rail.
The rule of thumb that I have read on this forum is if you plan to have over 200 foot of track go to battery power. Under 200 foot go track powered. Many do use track power on more than 200 foot layouts with little problems though.

[Anonymous]

Hey Ya'll

tobarhive. I might suggest buy a circle of track. But I know thats not what you want so here is the solution. LGB Offers 2 expainsion packs for a circle of track. One is a run around station pack and the other is just a siding. It makes a small space oval with plebty of working action. If you ar modeling American, Piko and Pola offer some great kits for buildings such as water towers and stations, engine sheds, town buildings, and the like.They also offer european buildings to.

I might sugest Sidestreet Banner works, How to build a Garden Railway. Go to www.sidestreetbannerworks.com. There are planty of books and catologs. Check out Garden Railways Magazine for all of taht and more.

Nick

[Anonymous]

Hey Ya'll

tobarhive. I might suggest buy a circle of track. But I know thats not what you want so here is the solution. LGB Offers 2 expainsion packs for a circle of track. One is a run around station pack and the other is just a siding. It makes a small space oval with plebty of working action. If you ar modeling American, Piko and Pola offer some great kits for buildings such as water towers and stations, engine sheds, town buildings, and the like.They also offer european buildings to.

I might sugest Sidestreet Banner works, How to build a Garden Railway. Go to www.sidestreetbannerworks.com. There are planty of books and catologs. Check out Garden Railways Magazine for all of taht and more.

Nick

[markperr]

just discovered these boards recently and am playing catch-up on the forums. I'd advise against using PT lumber for track ties for several reasons.
1) It's a softwood, usually douglas fur or pine and even though treated, will still warp and twist.
2) Cutting PT lumber generates toxic dust particles which you don't want to breathe. all of your cutting would have to be either outdoors or in a well ventilated (read: air cleaner/scrubber) shop
3) PT wood is green and eventually fades to gray. you would have to stain each individual piece and perhaps restain to protect as the years progress.

I'd recommend redwood or cedar. Both are better choices

Mark

[markperr]

just discovered these boards recently and am playing catch-up on the forums. I'd advise against using PT lumber for track ties for several reasons.
1) It's a softwood, usually douglas fur or pine and even though treated, will still warp and twist.
2) Cutting PT lumber generates toxic dust particles which you don't want to breathe. all of your cutting would have to be either outdoors or in a well ventilated (read: air cleaner/scrubber) shop
3) PT wood is green and eventually fades to gray. you would have to stain each individual piece and perhaps restain to protect as the years progress.

I'd recommend redwood or cedar. Both are better choices

Mark

[markperr]

One other thing about track and trains. Sadly, for the majority of us, local hobby shops are out of the question for three reasons, location, availability of product, and cost of said product. If you don't currently subscribe to Garden Railways magazine, then I suggest you pick up a copy and peruse it. In there you will find many mail order places that sell G scale products. There are several places that I've dealt with over the years, two being Trainworld and Ridge Road Station. These are reputable dealers and can get you what you are looking for at a far cheaper price than you could pay retail. DOH, just realized I'm in the GR website. Anyway, go through GR and compare prices. Take that price and ask your local hobby shop guy if he can get that item and at what cost to you. You'll find out in most cases, it's close to double.

Mark

[markperr]

One other thing about track and trains. Sadly, for the majority of us, local hobby shops are out of the question for three reasons, location, availability of product, and cost of said product. If you don't currently subscribe to Garden Railways magazine, then I suggest you pick up a copy and peruse it. In there you will find many mail order places that sell G scale products. There are several places that I've dealt with over the years, two being Trainworld and Ridge Road Station. These are reputable dealers and can get you what you are looking for at a far cheaper price than you could pay retail. DOH, just realized I'm in the GR website. Anyway, go through GR and compare prices. Take that price and ask your local hobby shop guy if he can get that item and at what cost to you. You'll find out in most cases, it's close to double.

Mark

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cacole

[?] I, too, am just beginning a back yard layout here in south-east Arizona and am having all kinds of problems finding supplies -- no hobby shops closer than Phoenix, 250 miles away, carry G-scale track, none of them carry stainless steel track, and no one has the foggiest idea what I'm talking about when I ask for crusher fines to use as ballast if I can find the track. All of the local rock dealers sell nothing smaller than chat, and even at that they want you to buy at least one ton. Home Depot sells Perlite in a large plastic bag which, just from feeling the contents through the plastic, seems like it might be fine enough to use as ballast. Does anyone out there have any experience using Perlite?

Go to standardhobby.com . They have Aristo-Craft track there CHEAP. A Box of 12 12" USA style track is $27.99, list is $38.00 [:D].

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cacole

[?] I, too, am just beginning a back yard layout here in south-east Arizona and am having all kinds of problems finding supplies -- no hobby shops closer than Phoenix, 250 miles away, carry G-scale track, none of them carry stainless steel track, and no one has the foggiest idea what I'm talking about when I ask for crusher fines to use as ballast if I can find the track. All of the local rock dealers sell nothing smaller than chat, and even at that they want you to buy at least one ton. Home Depot sells Perlite in a large plastic bag which, just from feeling the contents through the plastic, seems like it might be fine enough to use as ballast. Does anyone out there have any experience using Perlite?

Go to standardhobby.com . They have Aristo-Craft track there CHEAP. A Box of 12 12" USA style track is $27.99, list is $38.00 [:D].