Garden Railroad as a 2nd or third layout

Garden Railroading
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Hi, My loved ones want to buy me a “G” scale railroad starter set for Christmas. I have an “N” scale layout in process, and I also play around with “O”. Here is my question, other than a little oval and an around the ceiling layout, I’ve not been exposed to “G”. To those of you who have a garden railroad, along with a scale layout, are you glad you did it ? Is it too toylike ? I realize this is all in the eyes of the beholder, but I don’t know whether to take them up on the offer, or go for something for my “N” layout. Is “G” a large financial black hole ? Thanks, Dave

BTW I’m 44 not a kid and we do have a large yard with a pond.

BTW-2 Anyone in the Reading PA area willing to show their layout ?

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Dave;

Since I “predate” you by a full generation, I have gone from HO to N to G. All the HO is in footlockers in the garage. The N stores in a footlocker, but there is a unit suspended from the ceiling of the garage, which, whenever I can get SWMBO and the Daughter to move their cars at the same time is capable of running the N. The back yard is MINE, and the Rosebud Falls Scenic Railways is taking life out there. Remember, this is supposed to be a HOBBY and Hobbies are for FUN. If you hit the link in my sig block below you will go out to my “Newspaper” and out there are more links to other “Newspapers” We have bunches of photos out there, from Calif., to Tex. If you already have the pond, then I have only one question for you. Where is your RR around the pond?

The N is for when I almost get serious about detail, the garden is totally fun time.

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Tom mate,

Did you know that highlighting things is the equivalent of shouting at people and many don’t like that. Can you tell me please what a SWMBO is? Don’t forget the purpose of writing things down is to communicate and if people don’y know the words you use you are not communicating well, even though you are shouting!

On to you Dave well i came straight into “G” gauge as i wanted to do it outside so i cannot compare other gauges too well but i understand that it is much more realistic than any other gauge.

Going outside gives you a whole lot of interesting small problems that you need to vercome and this gives you more the sensation of being a civil engineer and whatever you come up against you must overcome one way or another in other words it is getting on to be more like the real world. What Tom says is right though if it isn’t fun don’t do it.

My advice is always get an LGB starter set off ebay get about 20 metres (70’) of track and try it out, get dwon in the dirt and get it going around, if it doesn’t grab you well rethink the whole thing.

Rgds Ian

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I started out with On30. Since I got hooked on G scale, the inside layout mostly just collects dust.
Sam’s club has the Bachmann Big Hauler Christmas sets right now for $136.45. Get some LGB, Aristo, or USA track to go with it and build yourself a railroad around the pond. My experience has been that the kids will like it alot more than the smaller scales, and there is a good chance the other half will get into it with you. I have a lady friend that at first thought I was nuttier than a fruit cake with the trains. After sitting around watching them for a while with me she started making suggestions on the structures, the plants, and the little people. Next thing I knew, she was really getting into it and wanting to do alot more. She doesn’t think I’m quite so nutty now[(-D][(-D]…or well, she doesn’t think the trains are so nutty, anyway…
The G scale trains are a great way to meet the neighbors, they are good entertainment for guests, and they give you something the whole family can participate in.
Try it!!..you’ll like it!!

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Once I choose G and soon sold all others to fill my black hole.[;)]

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Jeez Ian! Where have you been for the last 25 years? Remember Rumpole of the Bailey TV show? Horace Rumpole always called his wife Hilda She Who Must Be Obeyed SWMBO.
This abbreviation has been around as long as the internet has.
Dave,
Ian has this thing about LGB, we just let him take his meds & mumble to himself in the corner. If you are a scale purist, LGB is not the way to go as they are any of about 5 different scales depending on which bit you measure, but if you like colourful, robust toys, it is. The latest Bachmann gear is excellent in quality & scale fidelity & a fraction of the price, USA trains & Aristocraft are also very good & reliable, primarily much more modern equipment. Buy what you like, but start small & build up. Too many garden railways wither on the vine because the newbie bit off more than he could cope with. Don’t buy Bachmann track, it won’t last outside but all the other brands are fine.

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Ian:

She Who Must B e Obeyd. (sometimes known as “the wife”)

Yes sometimes I like to shout. If it offends you or any one else I respectfully give you my best regards, and a warning, “That is just me being ME!”

It is never my intent to be rude, just like to MAKE THE POINT STRONGER! Especially if it is something I feel very strongly about, or when trying to pass on my dumb mistakes so that others can learn from my FUBAR

(Fouled Up Beyond All Repair) OR (Fouled Up Beyond All Recognition)

the edit is in green.

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What do YOU think, Dave?

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I started with HO, then O…but always had the Christmas G scale layout. When my family bought property in Colorado, the outdoor layout was born, and it’s now by far my favorite. The HO and O have definitely taken a back seat to G scale.

If you buy the right equipment you can easily avoid the toy like appearance that is often associated with G scale. And compared to the other scales, I think G is very affordable.

Here are a few shots of my outdoor layout, with more on my website (link in my signature). It’s so fun building and maintaining an outdoor layout. Almost just like the real thing [;)]






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Hi davsachz
It can be as realistic or toy like as you like
If you want a financial black hole thats easy buy every single thing you need.

On the other hand too get cost down I would recomend Looking at the forum for scratch building and the pull out plans section
Look specificaly for the building classes that Toenail ridge ran those projects will give you an idea on how you can build your own stock or a store these will help with ideas
for making your own bits and pieces.
Garden Railways unlike the indoor small scale are I feel more family.oriented
as SWMBO and the rug rats can all be involved.
Choose the start set very carefully that way it will all ways be usefull on the railway.
one small point to remember use the largest radius you can fit in the avalable space
Not all large scale will get round the 2’ radius track normaly in the trainsets.
Also get a more powerfull controler at the earliest convienience after starting to set up in the garden.
The ones in the set while usualy reasonable quality will not drive much more than is in the set no good at night if you want to light your passanger trains and have tail lights.
The individual piece prices might give you a bit of a scare but overall
a decent garden railway costs no more than an indoor one
The scenery is a bit more expencive though just check plant and garden product prices prices and you will see what I mean
I would sugest perhaps a good start would be a simple oval perhaps with a passing loop and short siding making sure that SWMBO’s favorite plant is well out of the way
Like has been already stated start with a small railroad then slowly expand it
regards John

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Ok. I’ll admit the asylum is better suited to N than G, but I went with G.

Friends used to say, “G is for people who don’t care about scale,” and “G is too toylike.” They don’t say such things any more[;)]

You’ll like it. If I had an outside, that’s where mine would be!

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Dave,

I do not post to often, I mostly just read and learn. You have gotten some good advice from Phil and others so I am not going to add anything to what they have told you.

I have a very large O scale inside layout, and my garden railway is my second layout, which has been under construction for about 2 years. I love it and wish I had started with it sooner.

You asked about layouts that you can see in the Reading area. I am not sure if you would consider about an hour away from you as the Reading area. If you do you can see my layout this weekend as I have an open house on the tri state layout tours on Saturday November 5 from 11:00AM to 4:30 PM. I would love to have you and your family come and visit. We are just accross the Maryland state line. a short trip down route 10 from Reading. There are also several other garden railroads open in the general area this weekend.

If you are interested e-mail me for my address so you can get driveing directions.

Karl

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Your saying it the Polite Gentile way…I learned it from listening to a guy talking about his experiences in this place he kept calling 'Nam

Lets just say he didnt use “fouled” but another word that begins with an F and ends with a D and has the letters C, E, K, and U mixed in[;)]

He also used it in the term SNAFU, as in “Situation Normal, All F****D Up!”

I find this so funny because my outdoor line is called the Fubar & Snafu RR [:D]

Dave

Alot of good advice here, before we get into LGB -vs- everything else debate, I’ll just say LGB is great , if you can afford it. Otherwise Bachmann, Aristo and USA all make good stuff.
My PRIMARY large scale layout is indoor, to be built like a traditional HO type layout. Had to put it on hold because we are planning to build a new garage where the layout is at.
I built a small outdoor layout to act as my fix until the garage is rebuilt.[:)]

I came from HOn30 and wil never go back. You can do thing easily in large scale that are a pain in HO, like detailing a backhead, adding details, painting and weathering. All Easier. The detail on stuff coming out now is very good, find someplace that sells Bachmann or Aristo, look at B’manns 2-8-0 Connie or Shay or at Aristo’s DASH9, if your own eyes cant convince you, nothing will. [8D]

ALL model RR’s are a Black Hole You should know that[;)]

Q: Are you interested in narrow gauge or standard gauge? Thats the most basic large scale question, it get 50% easier after answering that one[:p]

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Hi Dave,
My very reason for going outdoors was to get dirty. As a kid it bothered me immensely that I was not allowed to take my HO stuff outdoors. Many years and two kids later I have the ultimate playground. Is it realistic? Yes. Is it unrealistic? Yes. Depends entirely on how you see it. Our real scenery outdoors can be grown to look VERY authentic in terms of scale while many structures have been built to the same results. I enjoy ballasting track, trimming and pruning, building everything I can myself, and yes of course run trains! Let us know what you find when you get to see some layouts. I’m sure you will feel very encouraged. Later eh…Brian.

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Vic;

SNAFU - The first way I learned was 'Sure 'Nuff, All Fouled Up", then just prior to The 'Nam, it became Situation Normal, AFU (using the unsaid verbiage).

Dave;

I’ve pulled out your questions here:

Is “G” a large financial black hole?

It has been alluded to many times in this thread, but after rereading everything let me put it another way. Any hobby, if let run rampant can and will become a money pit. When I retired from the Army in '89, the “N” layout that found it’s way to the dumpster had cost me well over $2,000 (US). Lumber, plastic resins, plaster, paints, ground foam, bridgework’s that were part of the sub frame, unsalvageable track, it all adds up. The move from Kansas to California dictated that destruction.

The construction of the Rosebud Falls Scenic Railway has it’s own hidden costs. The Koi pond: (Let’s be real here, I needed an excuse to build some bridges, right?) The new vegetation that the wife wants to plant around the tracks. (Just getting started on that.) As far as the GRR goes, I put an LGB Starter Kit on my Christmas wish list 2 years ago. Started putting it up on the Patio, picking up a few pieces here and there, until I was ready to start laying track for the layout.

Like Ian said, start with a small bit and as your vision and fun grow, then let the GRR grow. The main thing, Enjoy and have Fun!

Is it too toy like ?

In any scale you can find stuff that looks “toy like.” In my N scale stuff I have the same engine twice, (German, Electric (overhead wire)), one by Bachman that was around $12, looks like a toy, one by Marklin for around $700, looks like precision instrument. No matter what the subject is (cars, trains, boats, household furniture) you get what you pay for. If you want total precision you better have very deep pockets.

are you glad you did it ?

YES!!! To sit out on the patio list

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Hi Dave
A further thought for getting cost down I see from your orriginal message
you like big time railways.
In the garden try something different like a rustic branch line or short line less stock needed to run it and with the line meandering unobrusively through the garden
the line will seem larger than it is.
My line is not large at the moment but provides a lot of pleasure
The OO scale is all packed away with an uncertain future as to if it will be on a layout again.
regards John