The time is near.....to build my childhood dream

[Boomerps2]

Hello all,

I've been here on these forums for a little bit but never really posted anything. I've been collecting LGB trains and accessories for 15+ years and now have a home with a backyard big enough to make this childhood dream of mine happen. As a child, my family would go to the Orange County Fair where they had a G-Scale layout and all I wanted to do was stand there for hours watching these trains. My father bought be a 1986 LGB catalog and thats all it took....HOOKED. I will start my own build thread to get things started but wanted to introduce myself since I will be here looking for advise and guidance. I live in Spokane, WA where you get all four seasons so this outdoor layout should get interesting. I will provide some photos of what I am starting out with. Thank you all.

Bob

 

[Paul M]

Welcome Bob, you seem to of amassed a fair bit of kit there mate. You'll get all the advice you need on here, so ask away before cutting the first sod

 

[dunnyrail]

Welcome Bob, looks like you have the basis Of a great Shed sale!

 

[Gizzy]

Welcome to the forum Bob....

 

[PhilP]

Welcome to the Forum, Bob!

Nice haul!

 

[Sean.]

Welcome to the madness ...

 

[Henri]

Welcome! A flying start with this collection!

 

[maxi-model]

Welcome. Max

 

[korm kormsen]

welcome... and the most important advice... for free!!
KISS =keep it simple - at least for starters. wait - or did that mean Keep it small?

set up a circle or oval first, that while you build, there is something moving already

 

[Boomerps2]

Thanks for the kind replies. I've added a couple more photos of where this layout is going. Backyard isn't done but close. The planter area under the stairs and deck will be the first main section then some track will make it to the planter further in the back.

 

[Greg Elmassian]

I see almost all LGB, but be aware you can mix and match brands. You make no mention of the control system you will use, battery, analog track, or DCC, but all are available to you, you do not have to use just LGB systems for control.

Ask lots of questions, and of a number of people.

Welcome!

Greg

 

[Sean.]

Do you have a track plan we can comment on ..

 

[phils2um]

Welcome aboard - let me reiterate what Korm said- get some track down! It's more enjoyable to have trains running as you expand the empire!

 

[Boomerps2]

I see almost all LGB, but be aware you can mix and match brands. You make no mention of the control system you will use, battery, analog track, or DCC, but all are available to you, you do not have to use just LGB systems for control.

Ask lots of questions, and of a number of people.

Welcome!

Greg

As of now, I'm just running a 10 Amp Bridgeworks transformer. I am aware that you can mix brands. I am however a big fan of European passenger cars such as the Glacier Express cars and the Einheitswagen IV passenger coaches. I just purchased my first Glacier Express car. Unfortunately, it will cost over $2K just for five cars.

Right now, I plan on running one engine but don't know if I can have multiple engines on the layout at the ready to be selected with analog.

 

[Boomerps2]

Do you have a track plan we can comment on ..

Right now, I'm toying around with AnyRail6 for my layout. What do you recommend for track planning software with LGB in mind?

 

[Boomerps2]

Welcome aboard - let me reiterate what Korm said- get some track down! It's more enjoyable to have trains running as you expand the empire!

Thats exactly what I plan to do. Get one functional line running and expand from there.

 

[lgbmad]

Welcome Bob.....and I see you have some nice RHB items.....and like you mine are stacked high ready for the big day
Enjoy the site.....it’s great.
Kev

 

[Greg Elmassian]

Bob, you have not given us an idea how large the layout will be, but there are certain economies in track if you put down a l0
ot, different makes, using flex track, etc.

All that said, I would up using sectional stainless steel track since I used a layout planning software (RR-Track) and I had to work hard to fit it in the space I had but keep the widest curves I could.

Perhaps some of my web site might help:
Read this page, and at the bottom are 10 typical things a beginner needs to consider (the links are at the bottom of the page

Beginner's FAQs

Greg Elmassian web site on large scale trains and garden railroads, cigars, and computers

elmassian.com

Greg

 

[korm kormsen]

... Right now, I plan on running one engine but don't know if I can have multiple engines on the layout at the ready to be selected with analog.

if using basic analog (without additional systems) the only ways known to me for more than one train are "dead" sections, either with one train starting the other, using switch/point motors, signals and reed switches. (like the LGB epl system or something similar) or with manually/remotely activating these sections.

btw. i forgot something.
there are rules.
the most important is rule Nº 8: "it is my railway. if you don't like it, just ...(fill in your favorite expression)

meaning - we can (and will!) give you lots of counsels and recommendations, but in the end it is you, just you, who has to be content with your toys.

 

[dennishodge]

AnyRail works very well and has templates for LGB as well as TrainLine45 track, flex track (Windows only though). It's not too obvious, but if you add a rectangle/surface, then you can fill it with an image file. I drew a site plan on grid/graph paper first, then scanned it in and use it in a background layer (that I can turn on/off). That way I can check how my layout interacts with the site.

I'm also fond of LGB's RhB stuff. (Missed out on the Glacier Express dining car tho. Thought $4xx was way too much at the time XD.) I feel that I don't have a large enough space to do justice in representing a standard gauge railway.

Welcome and joyous building! After a year or so here I have yet to do an introduction myself! Perhaps your move will inspire me to do the same!