Beginner Track Plan

Garden Railroading
1

Hi!

I’m think of building a G scale layout in my backyard. Years ago I had an issue of Garden Railways that featured a great layout plan for beginners. I’m hoping someone can point me in the right direction.

If I’m remembering correctly it would be mid 90s to early 2000s. It was a dogbone plan and was raised and built up using real railroad ties for the base.

Anyone remember that issue, and perhaps have the track plan for it?

If not, what’s a good beginner track plan?

Thanks!

2

Hello there!

I may have that issue: from '95 to’98 or so I was reading “Outdoor Railroader”, then switched to GR around 2000. But I have hundreds of mags in the garage and finding it would be difficult.

I always think that every garden railroad is a custom job anyway.

It depends on:

space available

slope

climate

soil type

obstacles

these are the basic considerations, and will effect everything. Usually some sort of loop is a good first garden railroad. And try to keep the curves as wide as you are able to fit. Hope this helps!

Paul

3

Welcome!

MontourRR, while I don’t have anything to offer about your question, I hope you will continue to post to this forum. We love to see pictures and hear of the progress you make on your railroad.

Even though you’ve been a member for quite a while, your first couple of posts are moderated and may not appear immediately, but that will clear up quickly.

Good luck on your new project!

4

Aloha!

One consideration would be how you plan to enjoy the RR. Are you ultimately working towards simulated operations, or is it more to enjoy continuous running through your garden? You wouldn’t want to expend a lot of effort on a trackplan and garden bed that you might need to rip out later.

Ours is a hybrid. I wanted to be able to run two trains with the primary viewing angle being from our lanai. I also wanted to leave space for at least some simple switching operations on and between both loops.

Eric

5

Hi MontourRR,

By coincidence, I was flipping through an old issue of GR. I may have come across the article you were speaking of:

the June 2001 issue. A railroad plan listed as the " Lake City and Northerly Railroad ". The plan is a dog bone, all sectional track, built up on a raised planter of railroad ties. I think this may be what you are referring to.

Paul