New to garden railways

[squeaky]

I want to do a garden railway, there is something about a model train flying around the garden that I like

 

I can't decide whether to go for 'O' or 'G' or even OO/HO.

 

My cheapest option would be OO/HO as I already model US HO, so I have locos and rolling stock. The track would also be cheaper.

 

From my research O or G would be about the same i.e. more expensive

 

I'm seeking peoples opinion on which is the best compromise between cost and running enjoyment. Any help is appriciated, i've still got to get clearence from the SWMBO, but in my defence she may get some gardening done

[johnteal]

I have tried OO On30 and G in the garden, all have there merits.

 

The only way I can do G is to use cheap and cheerful playmobil track as I cant justify the expense of LGB or similar.

 

As for OO/HO it is very do-able but I would ensure the track bed is at least a couple of inches of the floor to reduce the effects of muck settling on it, If you create any cuttings they will collect rubbish which doesn't have to be very big to cause problems for Small locos. Track cleaning needs to be done before a running session unless its not long between running and the weather has stayed fine. Nickel Silver track is very resilient to weather and presents no additional maintenance.

 

 

Quite a lot of videos of all 3 scales in action on my youtube channel HERE

John

RJR

[Martino]

I had been an OO man all my model career except for my father's 0 gauge 1930s set up which got put out in the garden when I was a kid - I REALLY wish I hadn't traded that as an early teen!

 

However, on getting a large-ish yard here in Florida, and a Lady Wife who doesn't mind what happens it it, I had this hankering to create a simple UK prototype narrow gauge set up. I managed to get a load of LGB track in sale, san so headed off in that direction.

 

For me it's great. It's large enough to cope with being outside, and my set up isn't too complex. However, the cost of track is not cheap.

 

I'm more into scratch building or adapting second hand stock, as I can imagine buying new could be expensive. Everything is relative however.

 

If you're wanting prototypical, US length freights, then I would think that HO would give you that look of a huge train snaking through the scenery extremely well. Downside would be coping with the environment, although as john says, preparing before a session would sort that out.

 

Being outside brings a whole new set of opportunities and challenges, and I don't think (I could be wrong) that it's a case of just walking to the layout, switching on and away you go. You're combining gardening, civil engineering, etc, rather than straight modeling.

 

I find it absorbing and a great way of getting outside, rather than being locked away in the railway room.

 

It's all horses for courses and I'd advise you look at few forums and sites as well as this. Try:

 

gscalecentral.co.uk

largescalecentral.com

http://gardenrails.myfreeforum.org/index.php

http://www.mylargescale.com

http://gardenrailwayrealism.pbworks.com/

 

But then, you probably already have!

 

Enjoy it whichever way you go.

[binesrail]

In my opinion 16mm railways on SM32mm track are the best way to go for a garden line and i will list some of the up sides and down sides of modelling in 16mm.

 

Up Sides:

 

1. you do not have to clean the track to run a train.

2. run trains in any weather.

3. live steam, battery or rail powered locos.

4. radio control for the ultamit controle over your locos.

5. minimal matenance e.g. you only have to trim the headges when they get too close to the track.

6. lots of diffrent rolling stock from Iver the Engine to a South African Garret, kits or ready to run.

7. Steam ups, invite a hole load of friends round to have a days running on your railway.

 

Down Sides:

 

1. slightly expencive, locos can rainge anywhere from £20 to £4000 but most locos are in the £400-£500 area.

2. lots of hard work to build the railway but well worth it.

3. minimal kit building skills needed as most coaches and wagons come in kit form.

4. locos need reguler mantance, mainly steam locos as they will not work or break if you dont look after them.

 

Anyway i will let you think on that, but since i went to 16mm three years ago i have never regreted it and i still have a large collection of 00 gauge stuff for cold nights.

 

Cheers

 

Chris

[Verityboo]

I would definitely recommend G scale but the track is definitely not cheap. It also depends on what type of trains you like - standard gauge, narrow gauge etc

 

One possibility are these radio control G scale trains which are a bargain and basically copies of LGB models at knock down prices:

 

http://www.storacingproducts.com/g-scale-model-trains/garden-rail-g-scale.html

 

You could get a railway up and running with their cheap plastic track and then perhaps gradually replace it over time

[Stevelewis]

I built my first garden large scale Railway in '76!!! prior to that I had a 00 garden railway for 4 years then LGB became more freely available and \i changed to that

 

Since then I have always had a garden line of some description but 95% of the time it has been in G scale, because that is the scale which I find the most reliable and garden friendly

 

Not trying to detract from this fourm can I suggest you take a look at www.gscalecentral.co.uk this site has an excellent forum where all your questions can be answered there are many members on there with many years experience.

 

Also it is worth contacting www,dragon-gscale.co.uk they are based in Pontarddulais Nr Swansea , Jeremy who will give lots of unbiased information..

 

Should you have any specific questions I will be pleased to answer by PM.

 

Note my Avatar thats an LGB Sumpter Valley Mallet on one of my garden lines!!

[James Hilton]

I'm approaching it with a different hat on - also coming from OO/HO...

For me the garden is a place to watch the trains running - so hopefully the trackwork won't need to be complex. It's also by it's nature (expensive) easier to go for a narrow gauge or European metre gauge prototype as inspiration as they offer the chance to run shorter trains - for example I only ever intend to run three small coaches or two bogie coach length trains. As John says LGB is expensive but you get really good quality with any of the brass track systems - when you feel the weight of the stuff you know where you're money has gone!

 

I'd suggest picking up a Bachmann or LGB starter set (depending on if you're steered American or European) and build it up from there with some extra track.

[squeaky]

I'm still interested in a Garden Railway and I like the look of the G scale American stuff.

 

I have a couple of questions, can anyone tell me how the big stuff stacks up quality/value for money - Atlas, USA Trains, Aristocraft etc, which is best?

 

Also is the G45 track robust enough to be walked on if it is at ground level, I don't mean by a 12 stone adult, just a toddler?

[PaulRhB]

can anyone tell me how the big stuff stacks up quality/value for money - Atlas, USA Trains, Aristocraft etc, which is best?

Atlas - only O gauge not G and it tends to be finer scale so not really toddler proof unless you can find the older stuff made in the 80's. The track certainly isn't strong enough to stand on.

 

USA trains, well built and durable but not especially rugged as there are finer details, great for adults and will happily withstand occasional spills into the dirt. Excellent value for money compared to LGB. The bigger locos are quite current hungry so I'd recommend a 5 amp controller if you want to run a couple at once.

 

Aristocraft, again well built and a bit more rugged than the USA trains ones as they aren't quite as finely detailed though still very good. What they do have however are the basic range of 040, 242 steamers and the U25 diesel which are a bit cheaper and ideal to share with little ones as they will take knocks pretty well. Again bigger locos are current hungry just like USA trains. There's a bit of uncertainty on availabiltiy as they have recently announced they will only sell direct to customers rather than shops, which makes shipping rather expensive.

 

Bachmann, the newer stuff is probably the best value for money in G, though narrow rather than standard gauge. Look for the Anniversary 460 or the mining tank with metal valve gear (plastic gear shows it's the earlier and less robust mechanisim).

They also do a cracking little 040 diesel with outside cranks that is sold in starter sets. Low current draw, the small 040's will happily run on OO gauge controllers. Their spectrum models are big and expensive but they are amazingly detailed and there is a gem in the range, the 242 tank sold also as the L&B Lyn in Southern green for around £170 in a couple of black liveries with US fittings as it was a US Baldwin.

 

Also is the G45 track robust enough to be walked on if it is at ground level, I don't mean by a 12 stone adult, just a toddler?

Yes if you look at LGB or Aristocraft definitely and Accucraft are slowly producing a range too.

 

I'd recommend surfing a few shops online to compare prices and ring them to check availability as some items will be out of stock due to how they're ordered.

Dragon G scale

Garden Railway Centres (chelt)

Garden Railway Specialists (can be pricy but they carry a huge range)

Trackshack (IoM) Mainly UK outline but worth browsing for the track and other bits.