Hi, I am new to this hobby and would like to put in a garden railway to start with modeled on a Caterpillar manufactoring plant. I have MTH F-3 ABA (1:32) engines and rolling stock that runs on 1gauge track. I am lost when it come to which track to use, LGB.G scale 1:29 has me confused. Will different manufactures inter-change? What power supply to use outside. I there a book or manual of some kind that will give me information that I need. Any help will be greatly apprecitated.
David
No doubt you will receive a great deal of advice. A good way to research this topic is to look at past posts. You will find those that are willing to share their successes and failures on this topic. Welcome to the world of large scale. Regards, Dennis.
Welcome David,
to the mass confusion of large scale.
Here is a guide to who makes which scale(s) - http://www.lsceverything.com/index.php?title=Who_makes_which_scale
and this may help a bit - http://www.btcomm.com/trains/primer/whyscale/whyscal.htm#scalegauge
LGB primarily makes 1:22.5 narrow gauge equipment. Their standard gauge equipment (dismals, modern freight and passenger cars) is a mish mosh of scale somewhere around 1:26 - 1:29. Most modeling modern standard gauge equiptment buy 1:29 scale from AristoCraft or USA trains.
Most power supplies are either AristoCraft (Crest) or Bridgewerks. You probably want at least 10 amps (or more) if you are going to run multiple diesel lashups.
There is lots of info to be found on line, in forums, in GR, and by joining your local club.
I have heard good things about Allan Miller’s “Getting Started in Garden Railroading”.
You can see what I have done in the past year and a half on my blog -
http://www.grblogs.com/index.php?blog=25 (also by hitting my blog button below)
-Brian
[#welcome] David!
Do you have a drawing or plat for the plant? Will be a huge plant [:)]
As for track I use both Astro-craft track and LGB turn-outs, Brass.
Also note with brass rail might want to invest in Split-Jaw rail clamps.
Power supply I use is a Digitrax 20 amp supply.
Rest is NEC DCC for trains (hand held style, wireless).
Some one will fill in where I left off, my poor brain not in the right side at this time lol [xx(]
Always remember this is YOUR railway dont be affraid to test and have fun!!!
Toad in da Swamp
only pic I could find
The buildings are over 1000 feet (over 30 feet even in 1:32 scale). That plan might be a bit ambitious.
Some smaller (yet pretty big) industrial buildings -
http://www.mylargescale.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=43140
http://www.jbrr.com/html/matheson_textiles.html
-Brian
Thanks for the information, have some reading to do. I do have a tentative layout. For size I have about 1/4 acre yard that is fenced to use. Would like the Cat plant to be large enough to accommodate a dock for unloading parts and materials. A overhead crane in the rail yard for loading the heavy equipment. I was in a Cat plant in Ill.while I was trucking and there was a rail inside the building for off loading. Don’t know if I will go that far but it might be an idea for storing train. Lots of ideas, just hope some of them work.
Trampers
Welcome to the hobby and the board!
My best suggestion would be to read books/mags, surf, surf, and ask questions. This is a very friendly board. And there are no dumb questions. There are people here who don’t mind a bit answering any sort of question, giving advice, and encouragement.
Les W.
that would really really be cool. A single industry taking 1/4 acre with track all around it
LGB, Aristocraft and USA trains track are all compatible.
Aristocraft and USA trains stuff is 1/29 scale standard gauge.
LGB’s standard gauge stuff is 1/26 roughly.
Gauge 1, where 45mm track equals a scale 4ft 8 1/2 inches is 1/32 scale!!!
The manufacturers above use the 1/29 and 1/26 scale to make the stock chunky and it all looks pretty good together.
If you are modelling and industrial plant this small OO British layout might give you some inspiration too.
http://nevardmedia5.fotopic.net/c1102004.html
Just keep asking questions.
[#welcome] You’ll find that these guys are fairly helpful (even if I ain’t) and never hasitite to ask or post pics.