Hello Gang,
Few days ago I decided t try an put together a small 8’X12’ Garden Railway. I want to start small, I ordered a Bachman Starter Set, I was wondering if the track from these sets would be ok to use. I know very little about Garden Railroad construction but I’m sure I’ll learn as I go. Biggest challenge I have is leveling ut a surface for the roadbed in my yard. Looking forward to getting started on this project, just waiting for my first train set to arrive. Stay Safe
Charlie
First of all, welcome to the forums! [#welcome]
Never use Bachamnn track outdoors! It will rust faster than you can say “What the heck happened here!” It is mainly suited for indoor use. I highly recommend using Aristo Craft track. I use it and love it and it is reasonably priced.
Feel free to ask anymore questions! Everyone here is more than willing to help!
Thanks Matt,
I started surveying the yard yesterday, I’ll have an area that will need a 22" fill for about 20 feet or so. It will be challenging but should be fun. I need to purchase the track first so I can layout the plan get the ground marked. Again, not doing anything huge, just wanted alil tatse of the rails in my yard. Matt hate to say this but…Western Maryland Railway Rules!!!Errr… used to anyway. Stay Safe 
Charlie Bury
Hi there, welcome
8 x 12 eh? thats close to what I started with outside. Mine started at 5 x 9 then expanded to 9’ x 17’.
Check out the link:
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=44503
It gives an idea of how simple the building process can be, though I don’t have to deal with frost heave or cold weather ravages.
As for track, bachman track is strickly indoor track, dont use it outside unless you want to see it turn to rust before your eyes. AristoCraft / USA trains sells the most cost effective track to use for starting an outdoor layout. LGB track is probably the best brass track but its a little more expensive than A/C or USA. As for switches, if your planning any, use LBG only is my recommendation, I used A/C and had derailment troubles with my Bachmann Annie and different LGB engines. None with the LGBs.
Got a plan yet?
Uh Oh! I think we are going to have some serious problems here! [:p] LOL just kidding! By the way, which Bachmann set did you order?
I must have been sleeping during my original post. I’m not starting with 8X12, I’m starting with 10’X24’. I ordered the bachman “Pennsylvanian,” to start with. I have to fini***he “Honey do,” List before I start my project. In my early days I was a hardcore Railfan until I joined the Army when i wa 17. I did 23years there currently I’m a Baltimore County Police Officer. My post has the CSX mainline running through it and I kinda got hooked again. I miss my train chasing days. since i have a large back yard I talked to the First Sgt (Wife) and she thought a GRR would be fun. Thanks for the info, I’m sure I’ll have many more questions once construction begins. Stay Safe
Charlie
Sorry for Typo’s…
This is the area I have to work with. You can see will require some stne work/walls and fill to level out.
One more showing the area I have to work with.
Charlie
Welcome to the hobby and the forum. While you are waiting on your starter set read everything you can on building a garden railroad. Try and see some garden railroads in your area. Ask questions from people that already have outdoor railroads. Find out what works for them. What works for them may or may not work for you.
You said your were a Baltimore County Police officer. Not far from your area there are 2 garden railways that are having open houses this weekend, Saturday 5/13/2006, In the Bel Air MD. area.
You can find information on the at www.gardenrropenhouse.com
There will be open houses in the area for the whole month of June. My railway will be open on June 3 & 4. I am located in Cecil County.
Above all have fun in the hobby.
Karl
Charlie,
Since you are planning to fill the area, you may want to consider raising the entire layout a foot or so. A raised layout has several advantages. It is easier to work on the layout, easier to get cars on the track, solves a lot of drainage problems, keeps the critter intrusion down a bit and gives visitors a better view of your work.
It does cost you in the cost of fill dirt and muscle power, but it does have some great benefits. My first layout was at ground level but went with a raised layout for our “big” layout when we got serious. The difference is night and day on how easy the layout is to work on and view.
Fill will settle a lot over the next 2-3 years.
Make sure you wet it down and tamp it good.
Doing this, it will still settle somewhat…
Came home today to find a very large box on my porch. I got pretty excited because I knew it was my first G-Scale Train Set. I got out f my uniform and tore open the box. I was somewhat disappointed when I took the train out f the box and pieces started falling off. I had to use some glue on the loose parts, no problem. I got everything hooked up and started her up. The engine ran very smooth and quiet. I then ran down to the store and picked up some batteries for the passenger cars and sound system. The cars looked pretty good. I couldn’t wait to hear the sound. Turned everything on and NOTTA! No SOUND! Double checked all the connections and switches, still nothing! Looks like my very first day of garden Rail Roading wasn’t very good, sure hope this isn’t a sign of whats to come! I sent E-Mail to Bachmann asking how to go about getting my engine fixed or a new one.
Gotta admit the train looked cool running around my deck!!
Hi charliebury
This is going to sound like a dumb question.
But here it is anyway Did you put a battery in the loco tender??
The Bachmann loco I have has a battery box in it for the sound the tender water filler cap is the lid to the battery box.
The cable from the tender must also be conected for the sound to work.
hope this helps.
regards John
Thanks John,
I double and triple checked the two switches and the battery. I got a reply from bachmann that said to mail the loco to them and they would fix it. Hopefully I’ll have time this Saturday to get started on the track bed.
Hi Charlie
Good to hear loco problem is under control.
From your pictures I wonder if you might be better having part of the railway at ground level and the rest elevated on some sort of raised plastic wood track bed.
Then once that is in and running building the garden after to avoid some of the setteling problems mentioned.
I know just the police station for your line
If I can get in the right spot for some pictures its a small iron building that sits on
a what to you would be a small 4wh railroad car
Second thoughts may be not you might concider that to much like taking work home
I have to try and get some picures of it and measurements of it any way.
just wi***he local museum had put it in a more convienient spot.
regards John
I f you have not started yet I would recomend that you use LGB track and R3 curves and points, I would recomend electric point control. I use the Crest train engr and accessories for controlling all my running
Charlie… I’d think long and hard before I built my RR on the ground again. I’m committed on the ground–just too much track footage already in–and am already regretting it greatly after two years. The arguments for raising most or all of your track up off the ground are very compelling. I hurried to get started and didn’t even consider a raised roadbed. It might not be very feasible in my very rocky ground anyway, but I wish I’d even considered it. I suggest you not skate past that decision too quickly or, worse, not even realize you’re making a decision when you start. Once you’re committed on the ground it will be difficult to change in the future. It will, I’m sure, take longer getting started, but you’ll be happier, I believe, in the long run if you raise. Here’s a link that will give you some ideas: http://www.btcomm.com/trains/primer/fence_posts/fence_posts.htm.
Charlie… I’d think long and hard before I built my RR on the ground again. I’m committed on the ground–just too much track footage already in–and am already regretting it greatly after two years. The arguments for raising most or all of your track up off the ground are very compelling. I hurried to get started and didn’t even consider a raised roadbed. It might not be very feasible in my very rocky ground anyway, but I wish I’d even considered it. I suggest you not skate past that decision too quickly or, worse, not even realize you’re making a decision when you start. Once you’re committed on the ground it will be difficult to change in the future. It will, I’m sure, take longer getting started, but you’ll be happier, I believe, in the long run if you raise. Here’s a link that will give you some ideas: http://www.btcomm.com/trains/primer/fence_posts/fence_posts.htm.
Charlie… I’d think long and hard before I built my RR on the ground again. I’m committed on the ground–just too much track footage already in–and am already regretting it greatly after two years. The arguments for raising most or all of your track up off the ground are very compelling. I hurried to get started and didn’t even consider a raised roadbed. I suggest you not skate past that decision too quickly or, worse, not even realize you’re making a decision when you start. Once you’re committed on the ground it will be difficult to change in the future. It will, I’m sure, take longer getting started, but you’ll be happier, I believe, in the long run if you raise. Here’s a link that will give you some ideas: http://www.btcomm.com/trains/primer/fence_posts/fence_posts.htm.