What might be the maximum length of run I could expect from my small garden?

S

Sarah Winfield

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I've never been one for intricate train movements, shunting and the likes. I prefer instead a train of carraiges or wagons behind a locomotive which passes my viewing point at regular intervals. (Might that have something to do with being bought up on the ECML?)

Thus I shall try and get as much track into my small garden as practical without it looking like a roller coaster.

What length of track could I run without, as I said, it looking too unrealistic or silly.

Thanks,

Sarah Winfield

PS. On reflection I suppose there are so many imponderables that a simple answer might not be possible. However, assume R1 points and curved rails.
 
As you say.. It really depends on a number of compromises:
R1 curves really means small loco's to look sensible.. Shorter trains.. Always a good idea to have your view interrupted. - Train goes behind something to re-appear a little later. Adds visual interest.

If you have ground-level on the patio, then raised down the fences, you could get three loops in without it being too much a 'garden full of railway'. - Perhaps one loop hidden in the shed?
If you can get the line to meander, with an over / under bridge, it will add interest also.

A whole doodling pad of opportunities really. - Sorry, not much help!
 
What area do you have to play with?

I used to run short trains but I did have about 30 Metres of track with my new one being about double that.

I used the train disappears behind a 'forest' of parsley (parsley patch) and ornamental grass (Mondo Grass) to reappear a few Metres away to add interest.

To add a bit more interest I ran 2 trains in opposite directions that had to pass on 2 passing sidings "driving" both of them to get to the siding to allow them to pass.
Bit of relaxation while having a few cleansing ales on a Sunday afternoon while sitting in the "Fat Controllers Seat" under the plum trees.

Fat Controllers Seat.JPG
 
PhilP said:
As you say.. It really depends on a number of compromises:
R1 curves really means small loco's to look sensible.. Shorter trains.. Always a good idea to have your view interrupted. - Train goes behind something to re-appear a little later. Adds visual interest.

If you have ground-level on the patio, then raised down the fences, you could get three loops in without it being too much a 'garden full of railway'. - Perhaps one loop hidden in the shed?
If you can get the line to meander, with an over / under bridge, it will add interest also.

A whole doodling pad of opportunities really. - Sorry, not much help!
Click to expand...

On the contrary Phil, or as Del Boy would say "On the contrary", lots of things to consider. I have some rockery stones to use to break the visual aspect. If I keep my trains shorter that the length of my stones then it might look even better. Maybe a passing loop behind them.

SW
 
Sarah Winfield said:
On the contrary Phil, or as Del Boy would say "On the contrary", lots of things to consider. I have some rockery stones to use to break the visual aspect. If I keep my trains shorter that the length of my stones then it might look even better. Maybe a passing loop behind them.

SW
Click to expand...

"She who dares, wins!" Eh, Sarah? :rofl::rofl::rofl:
 
Having seen the diagrams and photos of your garden how long is a piece of string, if you go for multiple loops and multiple heights 1000 metres, however if you are going to run a single loop all the way round the edge, then you should be able to do the maths.
 
on my indoors layout i managed to put fourhundred and some foot of track (including passing sidings) into an area of 46' by 16'.
but that being a two level layout.

for outdoors groundlevel (or near groundlevel) i would think about 1 foot of track per three squarefoot of space would be maximum. (if you want a spagetti bowl)
if you should wish to put up a table and chair(s) somewhere, or even something exotic, like a line for drying clothes, 1 foot of track for every four or five squarefoot.
 
JimmyB said:
Having seen the diagrams and photos of your garden how long is a piece of string, if you go for multiple loops and multiple heights 1000 metres, however if you are going to run a single loop all the way round the edge, then you should be able to do the maths.
Click to expand...
Agreed!
 
Sarah,my railway is a modest 6m x 6m which is basically an inner circuit with a small passing loop and an outer circuit which is just a continuous loop. The shed was in the way so I just run the track through it.20180514_170647.jpg
 
Mine railway is in a smallish area and follows the boundary fence and then doubles back to a raised border in the middle of the Garden. Mine starts at point A and makes it's way to Point B , I just keep moving point B if that makes sense as and when I can afford to to, or allowed too :) but I will stop moving it before it looks like I have filled my garden with railways, as I want it to look like a railway that was built for a reason to get from point A to B and be part of the Garden , lots of room still for plants around it .
 
For me, less is more. Too much railway can spoil the garden although I am lucky in having plenty of space to play with.

The trains you choose to run will be dictated by the size and shape of your railway. Somehow you just know when a train is right for your line. I love running my 16ft long trains with a big diesel at the front but equally I love the charm of a 2-4-2 tank pulling a couple of short coaches - something that will fit well on any garden railway.
 
Unfortunately we're all of us not blessed with large gardens. Your 16' is longer than my small plot.

For me it's not a question of long trains but that of watching whatever I can run past me at regular but not too frequent intervals. Hence I want my track to be as long as practical within the confines of my small space but at the same time not to have tail-chasers.

I would say a 4/5 wagon freight train and a 1/2/3 carriage passenger train.

Sarah Winfield
 
Having seen the picture of your garden on another thread, I reckon 2 loops would be a good amount of track, however it spends on the exact configuration,
Theres A an a few options available
2 separate loops
Folded figure of 8
One loop one branch shuttle

Plus probaly a few more I can’t think think off

Dan
 
I just have to ask about the tank engine planter at the lower right corner of the photo. Is it ceramic or plastic, that is, heavy or light and if you can remeber the vendor, do you think they would ship to the US?
 
FatherMcD said:
I just have to ask about the tank engine planter at the lower right corner of the photo. Is it ceramic or plastic, that is, heavy or light and if you can remeber the vendor, do you think they would ship to the US?
Click to expand...
The tank engine and truck in my photo is actually cement and is a two man lift....very heavy
 
I agree with the less is more approach.

Look at Ge Riks peckforton light railway to see a moving diorama in his garden which fits a lot in without being crowded. Too much track can look like a train set on the grass.

Having said that it’s your garden and your railway so rule 8 and all that!

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