If you were to put a list together of the 10 things a Garden Railroader should do, be aware of, rules to follow… What would you put on that list?
Something like:
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Lubricate
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< 2% grade
Well, I have already broken #2. Maybe that should be under 3% for mainlines and 7% for logging.
How about - no inviting others over to run trains if your trackwork is [censored]!
and - no birdhouse buildings (well, that’s just more of a dislike [:-^]).
-Brian
Less than 2% grade??? You want a mighty boring railroad, don’t you?
1: Be happy with what you can do
2: Make sure your layout can be used by others
3: Scale can be important -but rivits are not
4: Live in harmony with the other users of the garden
5: Make it up as you go along -there are no rules…
regards
ralph
How about:
Thou shall include the wife in the decision process of purchasing new equipment.
I have broken that one several times and recieved the wrath!
Oh well, guess I missed that one, she’s already stepped out, but made sure she took the new car though, no problem spending money on that!!!
Byron
Thou shall not buy New Bright[;)]
Yeah really, I’m planning 5% grades to keep my geared lokies interested [;)]
How about, Thou shall not exceed 7% grades[:D]
The last two should be!
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Remember to enjoy it all.
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If anything about rules 1 through 8 interfere with rule 9, then toss out the offending rule.
Now, THAT might work.
OK. 2% isn’t enough for most. However, the wrong loco pulling to much on a 2% grade on a radius could lead to problems. Maybe grade has to many variables. What I was thinking of was a help list of do’s and don’ts for the less experienced. 10 might not be enough.
hey Hey HEY! Now doggone it Brian what in tarnation is wrong with my 15 birdhouse buildings??? I spent a lot of money on those…at least $10 to $12 each [:D].
Ya gotta have a little whimsey…and besides… SWMBO loves 'em, and that is required to comply with Rule# whatever-the-heck-it-was.
Seriously, most of these suggestions are good. the only rule I would recommend is:
-It’s your railroad. Run whatever you want on it. It does not have to meet anyone else’s criteria.
-GB
2% is a great rule of thumb for most normal railroads. I was just funnin with ya.
2% is often considered ruling grade for MOST mainlines (although 2.2% is seemingly common in the North West, and there is always the “rule-breaker” of Saluda), and 4% for narrow gauge, altho steeper was found many places.
I have 4% ruling grade, and have no problems, but when we declare “wet-weather ops”, the guys know the two helpers stored at the bottom of the grade may be called upon at a moment’s notice.
Well you opened a can of worms on that one LOL[:)] All good points but I think some people have plenty of money if they want 7% incline the loco may take it BUT what happens whwn you strip the gears on a loco[sigh] Lost running time with loco at repair think what you could have purchased with the money you spent on the repair[:)]
####1 advice is to FIRST build a very very small garden RR with as many features as you would like to have later on. Plant a variety of plants as well. Enjoy it for a couple of years and LEARN from all your MISTAKES. Then, and ONLY then are you ready to build a garden RR.
You can spend those 3 years scratchbuilding stuff and testing stuff on the layout.
You won’t ever hear this advice from anyone but it is the best I can give you based on experience.
I think this is very good advice.
Brian how about some worms?
Would’nt they get the track all gooey ??? And cause wheel slippage…OH MY !!!
Byron
The advice of starting small to learn and experiment is wise.
Many of the construction techniques that you have mastered on indoor smaller-scale railroading won’t apply outdoors.
Consider maintenance in planning the size. Leaving the indoor HO or N layout untended for awhile will mean some accumulation of dust, but most things will still work fine. Even with sturdy construction, thunderstorms, creatures, and changes of season will create outdoor maintenance needs just like a prototypical railroad.
Enjoy. Learning new things is supposed to stave off dementia, right? Or is the dementia question already decided once we get to the point of running trains outdoors?
Bill