Hi! My name is Patrick. Im in need of some advice. I would like to create a G-scale garden trolley line in my front flower garden. Right now, the “garden” in the front of my home is nothing but sandy soil with rocks and weeds. I want to do a complete overhaul of the space. I only have a very small area to work with. 2’ x 7’ to be exact. Yes, thats right… two feet by seven feet. That is it. The area is surronded by sidewalk and the exterior of my home. Since I only want to use a single trolley, is it possible to lay down track in a creative and interesting way? Would adding a water feature and a bridge be pushing this project over the edge? If I wanted to do a loop, do they even make track that can handle such a tight curve? If not a loop, maybe a point to point zig-zag configuration? I’m at a loss of practical ideas. Maybe I should just chuck this idea. Ive been thinking about it ALL WEEK long. Its becoming an obession.
Thanks! Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah and Happy Winter Solcist, Happy Yule, Happy Quanza… and… wait, let me catch my breath… Happy New Year!
Well, I’m not sure even a trolley will run on that tight of a curve. But if you get an automatic reverser, you can at least run the thing back and forth. By all means, add a few curves so it isn’t just a boring straight run. I had a water feature in my small 7’ x 16’ layout, so a little prefab plastic pond with a fountain is possibly do-able, but you’re going to be very crowded
. a narrow “dry wash” with a short bridge might fit your space better. Or perhaps On30
A possible option would be a “shunting puzzle”-google “shunting puzzle” and it will give you several sites to check out. They seem to be the most action you can put into a space too small for any kind of loop.
I am not all that familiar with the 0n30 gauge, but I beleive it runs on 0 gauge track. Maybe you should look into that posibility. The only web site I know that advertises on30 is the St. Aubin company in the USA, the models are made by Bachmann - they also have a web site.
Why does everybody limit their imagination to only rivers and mountains? For crying out loud, the man is building a TROLLEY line. I’ve seen few trolleys run through rolling country side, but tons of them in the city. Sounds to me like a 2x7 space is perfect for an urban line. You can set up two parallel tracks with auto reversing and build a crowded downtown to hide the end points and give the trolley a reason to live. Maybe even 3 or 4 tracks parallel on multi levels- take the ball and run with it…
Some trams did run through the country side not many I admit “where’s the milk churns for the tram”[;)].
I think some R0 curves might be needed for this one trouble is I have forgotten who makes them, they are made in Germany and are about 16" radius would a Hartland or LGB 4 Wh trolley get round curves that sharp.
If they will then a balloon loop round the band stand with the band[:D] in the town park sounds like a good start to me that is if the little bit of extra space for the turn around can be cribbed from somewhere.
No body makes freight trams do they?? I know they used to do freight deliveries in some towns with freight trams and freight trailers of various descriptions.
I figure if trams and trailers etc that can get round horrendous tight curves can be had The Corporation Trolley Lines is a possibility in that tight space.
Patrick:
There is always ENOUGH space. Having MORE space is the question.
Garden Trolley is a 2x7 front flower bed? How about something like this:
Since you implied that the flower bed is not in bloom at this time “Right now, the “garden” in the front of my home is nothing but sandy soil with rocks and weeds.” I say scrap any plans for flowers, pave the area over plant yourself some homes and businesses, and run your trolley service. This type of plan could be automated with a reversing unit and a pair of extra end rails, and 4 manual LGB switches. (The springs are weak enough to allow entry fro the “wrong” track direction) example, start from lower right to top left to right to lower left to lower right. Or you could have remote switches and do it all manually, thus varying your runs.
The main thing to remember is “Get outside and have fun”, “Get outside and play in the dirt”
Yes these plans are for N or HO but you could eaisly adapt them to G and your available space. You can find a lot more ideas at http://carendt.com/index.html. Remember, If all else fails, have fun.
