I have been banging away on the indoor layout, setting up a new American Flyer loop, and trying to make some headway on the scenery. Haven’t worked on the Garden line much, although Trains run every single weekend ! My daughter gave me these artificial stones for my Birthday. Just what the Doctor ordered !
Paulhttps://rockinitoldschool.shutterfly.com/#%3aemid%3dsite_sitecreated%26cid%3dSHARE3SXXXX
Paul, mice to hear from you. Those rocks look great, and I bet they are lots easier to move than the real thing! You should be able to make some nice view breaks with these. - Eric
Hi Eric!
Yes, these articial stones are lighter
and Cheaper than the real things!
I was considering naming the largest one the " Frugalhorn"…
Nice!
Thanks! Really enjoying running these trains. I think I have just about everything I could want or need train wise, but thousands of fun little train projects, both indoors and out. I want to add some lights to an LGB caboose. And eventually I’ll get back to working on this garden line again.
Paul
I must have filled up the other share with pictures, so I have added pictures to this share. Track laid and ballasted. Just washed down the dust, so I’ll give it a test run tomorrow!
Paul
More pictures. Tested the line today, everything tracked well, a success. Wanted to run more trains, but dark clouds stated coming in, and then a few thunderclaps. I’ve been caught in a downpour a few times, and it’s no fun. So, packed everything up and went inside.
Of course, the sun came back out…
I want to make a control stand for the transformers that is covered on top, and open on the sides for ventilation. Another project on a very long list!
Paul
Been doing the same, as summer turns to fall and cool/colder weather moves in, I transition from my garden railway to my indoor layout in a smaller scale. Now my live steamers in G get runs at shows on our groups portable layout. But home time is spent working on and running my prewar(WWII)Lionel OO trains, along with a few other early brands in this now obscure scale otherwise known as American OO(does not run on HO track).
I went with this obsure scale for a few reasons, one I love vintage trains from prior to the second world war, but not so much the tinplate ones. I enjoy the turn toward scale realism that Lionel and others took in the mid 1930’s. While I would love to have one of their O gauge NYC Scale Hudsons(700e), the cost and huge curves those need do not fit my space at all. But…Lionel had the answer for those in small spaces. In 1938 they debuted their OO line of 1:76th scale trains on 3 rail track with a 27" diameter curve. Now my home layout uses Gargraves track with a 42" diameter curve so that I can run Scale Craft passenger equipment. My loop of original Lionel track has its own table top board to take to shows. Mike
Mike,
the vintage trains are fun! I personally have a weakness for hefty die cast steam engines. I came across, and was considering an HO American Flyer steamer. It was quite hefty, and appeared to have a smoke tube coming out the back of the cab, but no tender, no trailing truck.Just a little too much to take on. But yes, those vintage trains are fun!
American 00 is quite rare, but can be good hunting!
Paul
cool train, by the way!
even more pictures:
StarTed adding planters. A lot of open area still. There will be a small table and chairs for relaxation…
Testing the system. This is a 3 train operation, using just 2 transformers. I run track power, and the trains just quietly run loops. The cog train runs automatically on a back and forth circuit, sharing the transformer for the main loop. 12.5 volts is optimal.
Paul
Looking good, Paul! I had to move up to a 24 V laptop power pack to ensure reliable operation. I suspect it is the humidity and corrosion.
Eric
Eric, the great outdoors! What I love about running G gauge trains outdoors is also what gives us challenges! Heat, humidity, corrosion, angry bees… all these challenges, but I wouldn’t have it any other way! And the experience can be completely different from one day to the next.Yes, sign me up! It’s always something…
My previous garden railroad at the old house started out on flat ground, but by the end of it’s 12 year existence, tree roots had come under and lifted the track in a couple of places. Instant grades!
Paul
Enjoying operating everything on my new track. And learning the possibilities and limitations. My next project will probably be the control stand for the transformers: they don’t like to be in the hot sun. I will build a cabinet big enough should I decide to add another transformer at some point. My idea is a cabinet up off the ground on short legs with a top like the school desks we had in Elementary School; it would be totally covered, but with hinges to swing open for access. This would protect from the sun, and a sudden downpour. There willbe handles on the sides to lift it up to put away. Also, there will be a cross connect to switch which transformer powers which track, and can be re configured as needed.
The cog train works tirelessly, but I finally had my first derailment after 2& 1/2 years operation: a dead flower had fallen from the tree onto the track, and gotten sucked up into the wheels on one of the coaches. When the engine was shoving the cars uphill, and reached the first corner, the wheels lifted up just enough to derail the first car, which derailed the second car, and then the locomotive. Fortunately the engine landed on it’s side in a soft pile of gravel and dead leaves. The roofs popped off on both cars, which were just snapped back on. No damage, luckily! All because of organic debris on the track! First derailment of an otherwise extremely reliable operatio
Understatement of the century, there!
We actually hook up our transformers each time we run. Leads run from the track and terminate in DC plugs like you’d use on a trailer. These plug into similar plugs that run to our homemade throttles. When we are done, we coil the leads up and hang them on broken fencing blades in the garden. The throttles and their laptop power supplies get put in a bin and shoved to the back of the lanai.
Eric
It’s a Gold Spike Ceremony! Couldn’t resist…
Eric, great tips on the control stand for the transformers. Can you post a picture of the plugs you are mentioning? I can look for them when I start buying materials.
Thanks!
Paul
So, the road testing continues! It’s hard work, but somebody has to do it… Everything bigger than an 0-4-0 loco has moved to the new loop. I consider this a smashing success, I can run longer trains more easily, with less stress on my engines. I am now running the cog train as the “RedTrain”, and the steeplecab as the " Blue Train". They run happily on my original track work, although the crossing is warping and becoming problematic. Probably have to replace it soon. It looks just like the crossing I saw 3985 roll effortlessly across in Illinois…
Paul
Paul,
Sorry, I have been off line for a bit…Here is a link to the plugs I mentioned: Hopkins 2 Flat Trailer Connector 12 in. - Ace Hardware . I picked them up at an auto-parts store. They have been outside in the tropics for years.
Somewhere in this forum I described how we built our controllers. One of the later issues of GR aslo did the same. For less than $50 each, these have worked perfectly delivering 24V to our not-so-clean rails!
Eric
P.S. Loved the latest photos. I always liked the little LGB steeple cab electric. It’s on my if-I-stumble-across-one list. The OR&L considered electrifying part of its line, so its prototypical in spirit!
Eric,
thanks for the info on connectors, I’ll need them when I build my transformer cabinet. A quick disconnect if there is a downpour…that’s exactly what I need! It’s all coming together in my mind.
The steeplecab is a great little engine! It loves R1 curves, and looks great doing it. If you happen to cross paths with one…
I need to replace that 30 degree crossing. It’s been around since 1997, and I’ve gotten my full usage out of it.
It’s always something…
Paul
More pictures:
I remember when I first got the Spectrum Mogul in 2001. I was outside running this engine every Saturday and Sunday for about a year straight! Love the looks of this engine, still do. Now I have 2 of them. Mine are from the first production run, and have plastic gears. Occasionally, I have to service the gear box, but not too often. All the parts are still available, and I am very comfortable with the repair. All in all, a great engine, still love it! It looks quite elegant on my track!
Paul
It’s the Million Dollar Bash…
with an old loco, " the Ghost of Christmas Past", and a worn out, but salvaged chassis, I have an idea to make a 4-4-0 American. It will be battery powered, and pulling lightweight cars. Just for grins…
Paul