I would reccomend contacting LGB of America. They have a great deal of experience and knowledge about setting up commercial type displays. As has been said before, LGB is the most reliable brand on the market. Their customer support is excellent and their support people have proved to be very knowledgable and helpful. Where better to go for information that directly to the manufacturer?
I have to concure with Iandor, for a contract job it’s LGB all the way. Hang the cost, pass it on to the customer, and give a high quality job you can put your name on. For a self made home layout, then all the other options are fine.
If you look a few pages back, there was a lengthy discussion of track security on this forum maybe 6 or 7 months ago. I think it was concluded that a good fence is a good investment (even a short one for an outdoor display like you are planning) and lock up the rolling stock at night. There was no consensus on lighting and security cameras, although I am in favor of both.
Good luck and welcome to the Large Scale world!
[oX)]
Paul it is not often i agree with anyone much on this forum but what Capt Turk has said is what i think to the letter. I have spoken to my mate about it and what he had to say was that he uses a big simple strong deisel and pulls gondolas that you can buy from LGB in pairs he couldn’t remember the number either. LGB have plenty of steam engines that are big and strong and have two motors (important) as you want them to do their task easy not have to work their littles guts out.
Rgds ian
What LGB model steam locomotives are available with 2 motors?
The LGB Mallet comes to mind
Mark
Paul2,
Go and visit Charles Ro in Malden Mass (about and hour from you down route 93, the Route 60 exit). They have Aristocraft, LBG, Hartland, Bachman, and USA Trains all on display so you can compare. Sometimes there are store specials, I always over spend my budget when I go there. There are also good Garden RR shops in Manchester and Amherst NH. I have seen much B&M engines and cars at both.
And as stated earlier there is a large Garden RR club in New Hampshire (http://www.nhgrs.com/).
Also look in Garden RR magizines for ideas. I remember seeing ads for professionally built layouts from companies that are fairly local to you. You may be able to call them and get them to give you free advice for possible future work.
There use to be a resturant in Hampstead NH that ran a garden RR on a shelf along the walls. They appeared to have a mix of manufacturers from what I remember and it was always running.
Jaime
Sandown, NH.