garden railroad

[veetwelve]

Just my opinion, but if I were looking for a starter set, I would only be interested in the ones that included the Bachmann 4-6-0 Anniversary loco, or "Annie" as it is referred to.  Check out the fourth post in this thread for a list of the starter sets that included the Annie, with thanks to Loco Bill:
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/board/index.php/topic,8674.0.html

Good luck!
Jay

p.s.  I'm also partial to the locos that sported the Walschaerts valve gear for the cool factor.

[Loco Bill Canelos]

Hi All, The valve motion of the Walschaerts valve gear is in my mind just great to watch, especially at slow speeds.  Set 90059 is a great buy and I strongly recommend it!!

Bill

[mrrailroad]

what about laying track

[Kevin Strong]

what about laying track

More than what can be written in a forum like this. I definitely suggest you pick up one of the books or magazines mentioned on the first page of this thread. Obviously I'm a bit biased towards my book due out in April, but there are downloadable resources as well.

Kalmbach has some "how to" .pdf construction articles here:

http://www.kalmbachstore.com/modeltrains-railroading-garden-railroading-digital-downloads-downloadable-articles-project-railroads.html

or if you've got a Kindle, search Amazon for Allen Miller's "Getting Started in Garden Railroading." It's available as an e-book now. Some of the info (especially relative to electronics) may be a bit dated 12 years after it was originally published, but the construction techniques are pretty timeless.

Later,

K

(Disclaimer: While I wrote a few of the "how to" articles Kalmbach is selling, I get nothing from the sales of those files. I do get royalties on the sales of my book. If I had to choose between the .pdf files versus the book, I'd opt for the book. It's a much better value for the money--most of what's in the pdfs is in the book in one form or another, plus a whole lot of other stuff. I personally don't care which route you go. I want you to be informed, and any of these resources will go a long way towards getting you there.)

[mrrailroad]

I would but my parents wont let me

[armorsmith]

I would but my parents wont let me

Mrrailroad,

I believe I have a duplicate of one of the books Kevin mentioned above.  If you feel confident enough and your parents don't mind, I will send you what duplicates I have (when I find it), at no cost to you.  I will pay for the postage, all I need from you will be an address.  You can message me off list at armorsmith at yahoo dot com.

i looked through your web site and it is a fine web site indeed.  You are quite a programmer for your age, congratulations.  I developed my club's web site (www.ecgrc.com) just using a simple text editor.  Keep up the good work.

Bob C.

[Kevin Strong]

Would it be presumptuous to say your parents are providing financial support for your hobby? You might suggest to them that a proper "how to" book would at the very minimum go great lengths to protecting their investment if that's the case. It's certainly not my place to tell your parents how to raise their kids, but I grew up in this hobby, and at 11 was very much as you are right now. (My dad and I started our outdoor railroad when I was 9.) From your web site, it's very clear you're passionate about this. Invite them to look at this forum, and feel free to show them my own web site. (Click the banner below for my out-of-date web site, and the "Tuscarora RR Blog" text for my current blog.) They're also welcome to e-mail me with any questions they may have.

Later,

K

[mrrailroad]

  armor smith I might just take up that offer. If I end up asking you for that book thank you times a million!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By the way I have been working on that website for a while. if you want to you could become a member. That would be the first member besides my friend and I.
Also your website looks great! So does your blog Kevin Strong. I might just be able to convince them (not likely Though)

???P.S. what book is it all around, track laying ect...


Bobby

[mrrailroad]

armor smith I still don't have permission but if I do I will give you my address through personal messaging on this forum

-Bobby

[armorsmith]

Bobby,

I have a couple of he beginner books I have acquired over the last 5 or so years since I returned to model railroading.  I used to model in On3 until my family (4 children) got real good at disposing of my disposable income.  Now that they are grown and have families of their own, I have returned to my favorite hobby, but my sight is not as good as it used to be, so I chose Large Scale.  That is my back story.

I don't remember specifically which one it is, but I am relatively sure it will cover many of the different aspects of Garden Railroading.  As Kevin mentioned, some information might be a bit dated as most of the books are older in nature, but most of the information is still relevant.  I will dig it out this weekend and let you know which book(s) I have.

I am looking forward to Kevin's book being released and will purchase one as soon as possible.  I always look forward to any articles Kevin puts out in Garden Railways magazine because he writes in a manner that, from my point of view, tries to be informative and unbiased.  He will usually mention as many of the variations as he is knowledgeable in without prejudice.

I browse this and other forums regularly so I will not miss your message.  As a parent and grandparent I understand your parents hesitation, they really have your safety and best interest in mind.  I am providing a link to Garden Trains.org  http://www.gardentrains.org/ where you might be able to locate a club near you.  Clubs are a great way to learn and get help from some great people.

Bob C.

[mrrailroad]

Thank you I ended up Finding two garden train clubs near me on that website. hopefully I can go to one soon.

-Bobby

[tac]

Nickel Silver will work just fine outdoors. Good luck finding it, especially in sectional track. K

Peco [NOT PIKO] make sectional 45mm gauge track in 300mm/1 foot lengths.  Just to let you know.

tac
Ottawa Valley GRS

[mrrailroad]

Hmm I'll look in to that

[mrrailroad]

what companies make g scale flex track

[on30gn15]

Let's see what Google can find for g scale flex track; that thought hadn't happened in my brain, just assumed the huge brass rails were too stiff for practical flex track.

Be aware that the price tag of any G outdoor track is going to be somewhere over five bucks per foot of track.

Okay, first hit on g scale flex track http://www.llagastrack.com/

Llagas Creek flex track is designed to look like US prototype trackage. All tie strips are complete with cast in place tie plates, cast spike heads, and very realistic wood grain. Our track is unique in that we offer realistically sized code 250 or 215 rail. In actual use for 12 years, we have found that this "scale sized" rail is just as reliable on garden railways as the larger rail of other manufacturers. Code 250 rail is only 0.082 (82 thousandths of an inch) smaller than code 332. Careful design has ensured that all of our tie strips provide plenty of flange clearance for reliable operation with all currently manufactured Gauge 1 trains; Aristo Craft, Aster, Bachmann, LGB, etc. Our tie strips are molded in modern UV resistant plastic that is weatherproof in blazing Florida sun or freezing Alaska cold!

The following chart shows the relation of code 215 and code 250 to prototype rail. The "code" of model rail is the height in thousands of an inch. Code 250 = 0.250 or 1/4 inch. Note of interest: the size of prototype rail is measured in pounds per yard.
 

And one other important thing, it don't bend by hand like HO track does.

IS A RAIL BENDER REALLY NECESSARY?

While our flex track is flexible to a certain degree, all rail materials do have a bit of spring to them, and as such, should be pre-curved to hold a given radius. This is especially true if you are planning to use the "floating" track method as opposed to fastening the track down to wood battens, masonry or concrete. It is possible to curve all of our rail using one's hands, however, we recommend our improved Lindsay Rail Bender to quickly produce smooth, consistent bends with ease. Use our rail bender to build your own sectional track with any radius you require. Imagine the possibilities! Our rail bender can curve to less than a 3 inch radius for turntable pit rails. Have a lot of rail to bend? Use our power adapter with an electric drill to help the job to go quickly.