DB rural railway in the 70s .... first tentative steps in G scale

R

retroman

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Hi everyone - my first post on this forum!:thumbup:

Having recently enjoyed a superb rail tour powered by V200 033, I have returned home obsessed with the idea of constructing a garden railway, hopefully so that I can enjoy running a LGB V200 .... not my pic ..... model yet to be purchased.

V200done.jpg


I have long thought about building in O gauge outside, but this would be a welcome change from my current attic layout (modelling BR in OO gauge outline). I own a typical British Victorian house with an L shaped garden and have knocked up a rough plan.

gardenplan.jpg


Google Earth image.

GOOGLEEARTH.jpg


As this is entirely new to me the construction would be in two phases. Phase #1 in Zone 'A' .... a single line with a run around loop and maybe a siding or two on a shelf-type board 18"-2' in width, at waist height resting upon the two convenient buttresses that you can see in this pic.

gardenpictures001.jpg


Before I do anything else the brick wall will be re-pointed and re-painted.

gardenpictures002.jpg


Phase #2 is some way off. Zone 'B' .... I envisage a loop around the patio area, running behind the coal bunker and through the shed, with a return spur back into Zone 'A'.

gardenpictures003.jpg


The obvious problem is how the track will cross the patio area .... either a long trestle or a wall ... depends what I can get past Mrs Retro ....

gardenpictures004.jpg


As I say, this is all new to me and I would be extremely grateful of advice, observations and links to helpful threads/sites.

I have a copy of Cyril Freezers book - GARDEN RAILWAYS - which seems to be a useful starting point.
 
Lovely loco the V200. Although I run 99% American in G scale, my N gauge exhibition layout is German themed so naturally various V200s are amongst the fleet!

I take it your post has links to external images (I cannot see these at work due to content blocking) so I look forward to reading this thread when I get home.
 
Welcome to the forum.

Best advice I can give, especially as you want to run a Standard Gauge model, is to go for the largest curves that you can possibly fit in your available space.

LGB R3 curves and points would be a minimum, although the LGB V200 will run on R1 trackage if needs must....
 
Thanks for the replies.

My 00 layout has 4' curves, and I intend to make the G scale layout as flowing as possible. Is flexible track available in this scale?
 
Welcome aboard - I used to have an end to end layout along a wall like that when I lived in the UK, gave a lot of fun.

I can echo Gizzy's comments about radii, while these big locos will go around R1, (2 foot) they look well silly doing so. Also coaches are even longer than a V200 of course! regardless, it's all great fun, and this forum is about fun as you will see, we're all pretty nuts and not into taking ourselves too seriously.

Oh yeah, there is flexible track available, but it takes a LOT more bending than streamline.....:@

Good luck, and enjjoy!

Neil
 
retroman said:
Thanks for the replies.

My 00 layout has 4' curves, and I intend to make the G scale layout as flowing as possible. Is flexible track available in this scale?
Click to expand...
Oh yes, flexible track is available from several manufactures. LGB Tenmille and Peco come to mind.
Peco is cheaper as it has a smaller rail section and is arguably less robust. However the robustness doesn't matter so much unless you are contemplating a ground level line.
As you intend modelling a standard gauge prototype you may wish to consider gauge 1 as opposed to G scale track, the latter has the overscale rail and narrow gauge sleeper spacing.
 
retroman said:
Thanks for the replies.

My 00 layout has 4' curves, and I intend to make the G scale layout as flowing as possible. Is flexible track available in this scale?
Click to expand...

It is, but it's not always easy to find. Also, because of the large rail section, it's not easily bent either! I can't find any LGB flexi-track for sale, but AMS do a flexi track that is compatible with code 332. Try Trackshack or Garden railway Centres.

You may need to purchase a rail bender if you want 'fixed' curves, but as you are fixing to a board, then you might not need one....
 
retroman said:
Excuse my ignorance ... G Scale = Gauge 1 track ... the same gauge. Right?:confused:
Click to expand...

That's correct. Both are 45mm. G scale track is usually code 332 though, the main exception being the Peco G45 track which is code 250.

G1 track is usually code 200. Peco and Marklin mainly, although there are others.

My only caution would be, if you plan to run LGB stock like the V200, then the code 200 track chairs may catch the wheel flanges.

Most of us tend to use the code 332 track. Although it looks overscale, it is more robust, and readily available. It can be laid on the ground and trodden on. Lots of different radii of track and points.

As you are proposing fixing to a board though, I reckon you may prefer to use the Peco G45 track. I believe the Peco points are 4 ft radii?

I would also suggest visiting some of the chaps on the forum if they are in your area and seeing what they have done....
 
I gather TL points have the same problem of causing LGB pickups to short out, so the actual choice of supplier is pretty limited.

GH
 
OK, I'm prety firm about wishing to run a V200 so the only option open appears to be LGB G scale code 332 points with either LGB settrack or AMS flexi. I don't want reliability issues to code 332 seems to be the way to go.

The track will be fixed to waist level boards, I really can't be doing with scrabbling around at ground level!!
 
I think your idea is basically sound, but instead of cutting across the patio back to the terminal station, is there room for a 3ft radius loop, leading back to the shed? This gives more running track, and could the pseudo double track extend behind the bunker, and revert to single line once it meets the right hand wall?
I've just added the loop on your original drawing.
The loop could be removable, on long H section legs.

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Malcolm
 
retroman said:
OK, I'm prety firm about wishing to run a V200 so the only option open appears to be LGB G scale code 332 points with either LGB settrack or AMS flexi. I don't want reliability issues to code 332 seems to be the way to go.

The track will be fixed to waist level boards, I really can't be doing with scrabbling around at ground level!!
Click to expand...

Like it when a plan comes together....
 
Brixham said:
I think your idea is basically sound, but instead of cutting across the patio back to the terminal station, is there room for a 3ft radius loop, leading back to the shed? This gives more running track, and could the pseudo double track extend behind the bunker, and revert to single line once it meets the right hand wall?
I've just added the loop on your original drawing.
The loop could be removable, on long H section legs.

Malcolm
Click to expand...
Hi Malcolm,

Thanks for the suggestion but it's not really an option ... Mrs Retro would leave home I think ... the loop would be where our outdoor table/chairs are situated, plus there are some mature plants in the flower bed that can't be touched.

Phase #2 is a long way off so I've plenty of time to tinker with the plan. I';m thinking maybe some kind of swing-bridge based on a German prototype to cross the patio?
 
A swing bridge....one of the forum threads has just covered this.....

Will try to find it again

Malcolm
 
Brixham said:
A swing bridge....one of the forum threads has just covered this.....

Will try to find it again

Malcolm
Click to expand...
Look for the thread by Tramayo (Mick) Malcolm....
 
Good choice of loco.... love mine :bigsmile:
As can be seen in this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYT7Qmmd-Wo&feature=g-upl&context=G2476bd2AUAAAAAAAMAA < Link To http://www.youtube.com/wa...t=G2476bd2AUAAAAAAAMAA
My line is in an area of 16ft x 25ft ish and is about a foot off the ground
In the video the loco is on a r1 curve, if i get a chance ill get some pictures of it from above at the weekend (on a r1 curve) with the coaches that go with it!!
 
Welcome to the forum:thumbup:

Remember to set your forum search to from the begining:thinking: and not just the last 30days as you will find loads and loads of stuff that is archived but still avaliable...

As mentioned also have look and see whos in your area, or just post your county and see who contacts you:thumbup: Once you have been around you will be able to Pm other members... Dont forget the only silly question is the one you never ask...we all had to learn from the begining so we should be able to asist:onphone::onphone:
Also if you want to model main line stock you might want to consider the piko range, cheaper but quality has been known to have been an issue with some items...

Have a look at the range here but there are plenty of other stockist around the country...
http://www.glendalejunction.co.uk/PikoStock.html
 
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