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Preview the February 2014 issue of Garden Railways magazine
I wish there was a LARGE SCALE MODEL RAILROADING magazine besides a GARDEN railroading magazine.It seems that most garden model railroads are of the “ring of track ,thru the garden,layout”. While I’m into building Large Scale Table layout with yards,sidings,track going from point to point,rather than round and round.
David:
I understand your feelings as I always wanted to build an indoor trolley layout and currently model a 1/2" scale circus train that is over 125 feet long and that is longer than some peoples whole layout, however I’m sure Marc would be more than happy to publish any materials he got for indoor layouts if he received it. He is limited in what he publishes by what he receives. You write it and he will publish it. That is one way to get more indoor stuff in print. I know there are some more indoor fans out there, somewhere.
Why 1:24? It doesn’t fit any rolling stock scale currently in production. I am working in 1:32. I have to build from scratch or modify ( if possible), existing structures. It’s frustrating.
David I agree. It would be nice to see standard gauge steam or diesel powered layouts, with more yards and other scenery instead of the garden with a narrow gauge 2 car train running through it. Please don’t get me wrong, I enjoy seeing those types of layouts. I am in wonder of some of the scenes photographed, and wish I could do the same. I understand space is a very big factor for many folks, and the costs to build even a modest yard can be out of the price range of many a pike. Maybe if more people wrote a article about modern stuff like my railroad Marc could publish some of it. I love both types of layouts, if someone wants a narrow gauge layout, then I am happy for them if they have one. If someone wants a 250 foot double stack container train, then I am happy for them too. The important thing is just to be happy with what you have, enjoy it, and be thankful you have it to begin with.
I wish I could build my garden railroad I have the track, engines, cars but the only drawback is I leave on a farm in Florida and I have poultry and ducks
It’s interesting to see Garden Railway develop as a concept. I’ve been an enthusiast since 1984 when I saw my first copy of Marc’s magaxine!
The development is similar to Lionel in “O”. As Lionel started as a less than scale “toy” train, Garden Railway started as something more exotic as a meter Europeon style or US narrow guage model. Now, as more people join the fun, we get a discussion along the lines of “Hi Rail” in “O”; or the new “On3”.
I guess if I had to discribe my interest, it would be a desire to model a full scale line as operationally as accurate as possible; but, I have the advantage of owning five acres ( I just wish my pocket book matched my square footage!) to pull something like that off!
I think it is fun to involve the family so it is not just “Dad’s” or “Gramps” wierd hobby!
Roy,
1:24 is a good compromise scale to allow you to copy to your chosen scale. It also happens to be the correct scale for railways in several countries that use 3’6" gauge track. In your case a good printer/scanner/copier set to 75% will give you what you seek.
Great for what’s in the magazine. The city of Greenwood, Ar. has ask me to build an indoor Christmas lay out for the 2014 Christmas season, with the Bachman Christmas train. This layout will be converted into seasonal layouts though out the 2014 year. Please publish in 1/21 scale buildings & seasonal scenery that could be used. I have the year to build this layout.
I really enjoy my garden rail road, almost ever time I read it I learn something I can use.my lay out is three 60’ track around a pond. but it’s a lot of work to keep it looking like those I see in your book. but it’s mine that’s all I care. thank you all very much.
Many thanks to all at Garden Railways for an excellent magazine and articles over the Internet. You make an old bloke like me enjoy the Hobby even more. Thanks again.
James in Florida. I was raised on my grandparents chicken farm in Texas. Sadly, I-35E took the property but if I still lived on the farm I’d construct an elevated outdoor large scale railway! Ducks and geese and chickens better scurry, when I’d run my trains in a hurry!
I now live in an apartment but still want to build a point to point large scale switching pike on my balcony.
Thanks Marc for continued quality publishing!
I plan to make the DQ. I used to go to one when I was a teen…And now they built a new one near me…So now I have to build it…Ill send a pic when it is done…