New Garden Project Dec '17

[Keefer]

Hello people,

I've joined the group to gain some knowledge prior to making any decisions (esp. financial) as the investment will be substantial. The following is my current thoughts, but I'd appreciate anyone who has the time/inclination to comment.
I've 2 little grandsons who are railway mad and now I have the time to create something that they can grow into and something I can enjoy.

My general needs are based on 3 things. Firstly Thomas and a friend, one each for the boys, one general goods & one passenger (annie clarabel). Secondly my interest is GWR so I'd like to get that sort of atmosphere if possible and lastly, I have a starting plot I can use (mainly level) of about 40' x 18. I am working on a first plan and I should get around 150' single track. big loop, couple of stations, extra extension loop, sidings, yards. 2 x branch lines one to coal mine and one to farm /dairy

Specifically I'd like to have a dcc setup and computer control with a couple of hand held remotes... I do wonder about the size, am I being realistic about G scale or Scale 1, about the availability of GWR loco's, stock etc... The thought of O guage had crossed my mind. Thanks for reading. Keefer

 

[Tanker man]

Hi Keefer,
I live on the outskirts of Oxford, if you would like to come and see my set up ( not before Christmas!!!!) you would be very welcome, I run mainly G Scale with live steam and DCC, ( I have also got a short run of 5inch which my grand kids love)
When the weather gets better, give me an email via the private contacts from this site and we can arrange a meet
Dave

 

[maxi-model]

Hello Keefer and welcome to this forum. I think you will find there are plenty of members here that will supply you with lots of ideas. You certainly have a good area to work with.

Most "G Scale" (bit of a misnomer) that is suitable for DCC will either take you down the European standard and narrow gauge (NG) or US standard gauge and NG route, as that is where the product lies. If GWR is your fancy then you will probably be looking at going down the Gauge 1 route but that is predominantly live steam, not ideal with small children involved, or Gauge 3 if track or R/C battery power would suffice.

I'll stop there. Oh, you could also go GWR in NG on 45 mm or 32 mm track gauges if you looked at the Welshpool & Llanfair and Vale of Rheidol railways in 16 mm scale. Sorry could not resist that. Max

P.S. I live about 10 miles to the east of Bicester and would be very happy to show you my line to give you some ideas. I run DC/Battery/Live Steam either US NG or UK/Colonial NG

 

[idlemarvel]

I think Dave's (tankerman) offer is great, the more you can see or even try before you buy the better. I live not too far away from Oxford (Ascot, Berkshire) so you can come and see my DCC setup with computer control (indoors being winter), again probably after Xmas now.. I have a railway mad grandson (I'm told it's my fault) as well and I have a token Thomas (DCC sound) for that but otherwise no GWR all German/Austrian narrow gauge. Send me a private message if interested.

 

[Keefer]

Hi Keefer,
I live on the outskirts of Oxford, if you would like to come and see my set up ( not before Christmas!!!!) you would be very welcome, I run mainly G Scale with live steam and DCC, ( I have also got a short run of 5inch which my grand kids love)
When the weather gets better, give me an email via the private contacts from this site and we can arrange a meet
Dave

Thanks Dave - I'm over in Chalgrove (soon to be city) I'd love to see your set-up when the time is good for you, this is going to be longish in the planning as I'm remodelling 1/3rd of the house as well in 2018, So don't make any extra effort on my count, I'll be pleased to come when you're active. I shall spend the winter doing a full survey/plan which won't need a final decision on guage for some time.

 

[Keefer]

Hello Keefer and welcome to this forum. I think you will find there are plenty of members here that will supply you with lots of ideas. You certainly have a good area to work with.

Most "G Scale" (bit of a misnomer) that is suitable for DCC will either take you down the European standard and narrow gauge (NG) or US standard gauge and NG route, as that is where the product lies. If GWR is your fancy then you will probably be looking at going down the Gauge 1 route but that is predominantly live steam, not ideal with small children involved, or Gauge 3 if track or R/C battery power would suffice.

I'll stop there. Oh, you could also go GWR in NG on 45 mm or 32 mm track gauges if you looked at the Welshpool & Llanfair and Vale of Rheidol railways in 16 mm scale. Sorry could not resist that. Max

P.S. I live about 10 miles to the east of Bicester and would be very happy to show you my line to give you some ideas. I run DC/Battery/Live Steam either US NG or UK/Colonial NG

Thanks Max - I started off thinking it was straightforward.. but....ha, ha.. or Ho ho ho... you've just detailed my indecision, I've lived in mid wales and explored all the little railways and the old industries but I've always been GWR '30's minded with the lazy rural combined with coal industry as a first choice... I'll continue my quest with a visit to Dave (nearby) and try and take you up on your kind offer if I'm going east of Bicester way...

 

[Keefer]

I think Dave's (tankerman) offer is great, the more you can see or even try before you buy the better. I live not too far away from Oxford (Ascot, Berkshire) so you can come and see my DCC setup with computer control (indoors being winter), again probably after Xmas now.. I have a railway mad grandson (I'm told it's my fault) as well and I have a token Thomas (DCC sound) for that but otherwise no GWR all German/Austrian narrow gauge. Send me a private message if interested.

Thanks idlemarvel - I don't get down your way these days although I used to travel through daily at one time..I would make a journey though, the more the merrier. So thanks for the offer and lets see if I firm up my ideas by spring... ...

 

[Zerogee]

I don't have much to add to the info in the previous posts, but welcome to GSC!

Jon.

 

[Tanker man]

My only question is: if you all live so close to me, why have I not seen you at my G Scale open days????..??
........ Maybe 2018 then??????
Dave

 

[Paul M]

Welcome Keefer. I think the best and first thing you should do is take up the fine offers above, although don't forget it can take years to get a good line established. It certainly isn't a week or twos work in the summer!
Financing can be tricky, unless you are good at scratch building or damn lucky with bargains, it ain't cheap. Mind you, having said that, you do get a lot for your money, and it's easier to see than OO scale.

 

[chasaitch]

Hi Keefer. Get yourself to GRS in Summerlees Rd Princes Risborough http://www.grsuk.com/home an absolute cornucopia of all you are looking for although it will raise more answers than questions you have thought to ask. Looking at your wish list it will be a major investment, I hope you have long arms and short pockets! but dont be afraid to buy second hand when available, most second hand has been much loved and can be as good as new. Merry Xmas.

 

[Rhinochugger]

Hello people,

I've joined the group to gain some knowledge prior to making any decisions (esp. financial) as the investment will be substantial. The following is my current thoughts, but I'd appreciate anyone who has the time/inclination to comment.
I've 2 little grandsons who are railway mad and now I have the time to create something that they can grow into and something I can enjoy.

My general needs are based on 3 things. Firstly Thomas and a friend, one each for the boys, one general goods & one passenger (annie clarabel). Secondly my interest is GWR so I'd like to get that sort of atmosphere if possible and lastly, I have a starting plot I can use (mainly level) of about 40' x 18. I am working on a first plan and I should get around 150' single track. big loop, couple of stations, extra extension loop, sidings, yards. 2 x branch lines one to coal mine and one to farm /dairy

Specifically I'd like to have a dcc setup and computer control with a couple of hand held remotes... I do wonder about the size, am I being realistic about G scale or Scale 1, about the availability of GWR loco's, stock etc... The thought of O guage had crossed my mind. Thanks for reading. Keefer

I like a good plan

While G scale is definitely not a low cost branch of the hobby, it can be much less costly than 0 gauge or Gauge 1.

Much of the G scale kit is fairly robust - some of the more expensive and finer scale stuff less so, so overall, I would say G scale is the way to go when considering youngsters and trains in the garden. equally, if they get t the point where they have outgrown Thomas but sill have a train interest, there is still a good range of stuff available

 

[dunnyrail]

Trying to be realistic here as a starter you might like to think a little more about where you wish to be before diving in. I would cetainly think twice about 0 gauge at ground level, though there will be a good few GWR bits they will be quite scale like and troublesome at ground level. Thomas stuff may need to be adapted onto expensive Chassis.

G1 might be a better bet for your GWR theme but things will be very expensive. Though Backman Thomas should run OK with this scale, though be careful to allow big holes in Bridges and plenty of room beside the Track for the outsized Thomas range.

G Scale will work well with the Thomas kit but you will be limited in NG GWR stuff VofR, WnL etc. Though some have bodgelled together SG Locomotives onto NG Chassis to great effect if that floats your boat.

Finally there would be Gauge 3, quite a bit of GWR kit to be found in the main purveyor at Garden Railway Specialists in Risborough just near the Railway Station. Quite expensive particularly the Track which is artesian built for GRS. Might be a bit tricky for the Thomas kit, though they did do a kit for Toby and the Tram Coaches but I believe that these may be end of line now.

So a lot of options and a lot of thought together with costs!

Finally I suggest serious though to Battery Power as this will save much ground level Track Cleaning operations whichever route you decide upon.

 

[chasaitch]

The thing about gauge 3 is that it equates to LGB at about scale 1:22.5 but whereas LGB is nominal metre gauge at 45mm standard gauge is 63mm, ie the stock is the same size just the wheel spacing is greater but you can get dual gauge track. Forgive my waffle, it's the incahol, a seasonal malaise!

 

[Paul M]

Keefer, as the above replies have said, have a good look round. The other thing is that if you invest in 45mm gauge, YouCan run different scales. As long as the wheels fit and the rolling stock fits round-the-clock layout, you can swop your stock to suit your mood