First layout design

C

Chris71

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Hi this is my first layout design for the side garden.
will be digging a trench and lining it also putting in some wooden stakes to nail track to.
sm32 layout.jpg
Do you think this will be ok for live steam locos 040 size.
 
My only comment Chris is that you are using Peco track, which has a limited range of points if you decided to add loops and sidings....
 
Looks like a good sized space. While the 5 ft diameter curve at one end will be no problem for an 0-4-0 and non-bogie rolling stock it might create issues with larger locos and longer bogied stock with body mounted couplings. Could create limitations in the future. Passing loop and/or siding ? Adds a bit of operational fun. Look forward to seeing this one growing. Enjoy. Max
 
Nice space to work with, but as others have mentioned the radius at the narrower end is the defining issue, if you want a loop using all the space available.
 
Looking at the plan which is using 32mm Track Gauge, there are 2 options for points should you wish to use them. Assuming that you keep to Smaller Locomotives then there should be no problems. You could use certain G Scale Rolling Stock if you remember that you will need replacement Wheels for them. I believe that GRS can supply them. Most other items of G like Buildings etc should be OK if a little Small. Presumably you will be working to 16mm to the Foot Scale giving you a 2ft Track Gauge?
JonD
 
Yep I spotted the 32mm track too, :) for 0-4-0's no problem and short 0-6-0's too. IP engineering do a super range of stock and small battery powered diesels that are ideal for getting something running even when you don't have time to steam up.
http://www.ipengineering.co.uk
 
Thanks for the info guys.
I do have a large slab area but that's 8ft width from house to main lawn and length of 40ft.
But also have three children I think that's a no go area, also the missus would properly moan.

Only reason I am not using main garden is due to 4 trees and the back border always clogs up with water due to clay below ground.
And would cost a fortune in track.

I thought sm32 was the most popular track for garden railways or would I be better of with 45mm track if so which brand of track, or stick to peco?
Once I have sold my oo gauge stock should have to start with about £1000 to play with, but that's got to include track and first loco.

Track priced up at £254 form online retailer from the isle of Wight.
 
For 45mm gauge track, I would recommend brass code 332 track made by LGB, PIKO, Aristo, USA Trains, or Track Shack, rather than the code 250 track from Peco? Especially as you have kids. It is over scale, but robust, and can be trodden on. UVA/UVB resistant.

Nowt wrong with Peco though, and it can be joined to Code 332 with their adaptor joiners.

I would expect to pay £3 per foot for second hand track, and £6 new....
 
Chris,
It is horses for courses.. Depends where you want to go modelling-wise?
If you definitely want to go live-steam, and small loco's, then there is probably more mileage in 32mm.
If the track will be at ground-level, and young children are likely to be around, then the likes of LGB 45mm track are pretty bomb-proof. - Football, and kids walking on it to..
Buildings, and other line-side features would need to be moveable, else boisterous kids can cause damage, just from exuberance!

If you want 'british' outline, then you may well end up having to build (kit bash) to suit.

If you are of a 'model engineering' bent, then most model engineers sites seem to have 32mm track as well. - I think it is the 'engineering' and 2-foot scale that attracts them to this.
The Gauge 1 / 45mm (hence, 1 metre European) mainly comes from LGB being the predominant RTR supplier in this gauge. The European (and American) markets being their main target.

Mostly, get something down, and enjoy it.. Even if it is a 'starter' set in the house somewhere. - Christmas present to self?? ;) :D :D

'Rule 8' states it is your railway, and you run what you like. - Many of us 'mix and match' scales and geography with what we run.
 
thanks for the replies guys.
I am leaving the main back garden for the children to play on which is around 100 square meters.
Had to measure up for seeding :)
also they have a large patio area which is 8ft wide by 40ft long for them as well.
My thinking is side garden as doesn't get used much by the children.
Bad points are: have to mow over the track.
I am thinking as the track isn't going to be raised and in a trench ground level that shouldn't be a problem as IL follow the rack with the mower.

just had a look at the slope angle wide side 10ft has a slope of 5 inches from border to path.
small side border to path about the same, as I am digging a trench I could properly take an inch out of that slope hopefully.
IF all else fails IL just have to get track I can set up and take down to lay on my slabed patio area :(
 
Make sure you use some lawn edging on both sides of your trench or you will have constant problems with ballast running away and the grass trying to invade the track bed. No problems mowing over track if you have a "Flymo" type mower. Especially if you have the edging in place. Max.
 
If initial track costs are a serious consideration then stick with 32mm, G45 is quite a bit dearer.
 
just worked it out on anyrail.
works out cheaper ? in lgb track than sm32.
LGB 45 comes to £219 were sm32 will be £253 lol.
Less pieces I suppose.
 
Chris71 said:
LGB 45 comes to £219 were sm32 will be £253 lol.
Less pieces I suppose.
Click to expand...
Depends on your priorities. Are you looking for a more generally scale appearance (not all NG railways were 2ft mind you) or a wider range of operational possibilities. Say the option to run US Colorado/logging NG or European outline stuff in the future. Or even Gauge 1/10 mm stock. If the latter mentioned options are on your horizon give 45mm gauge from the outset a serious thought. Garden Railway Specialists (and 301) do a range of wood sleepered items to offer greater track options for both code 250 sm 32 and code 332 LGB type 45 mm than a lot of the standard offerings.

As noted most current 16 mm scale locomotives, as supplied, are readily re-gaugable between 32 and 45 mm. Though some by definition (15 mm scale for example) are 45 mm only, see above. 16 mm rolling stock, from Accucraft, are supplied with both 32 and 45 mm gauged wheel-sets, including the bogie items. Other makes of rolling stock, if of the bogie type may be altered by the simple bogie swap, admittedly at extra cost. The non-bogie items might be less practicable to swap, even requiring a full rebuild. Some, such as Yatton's Darjeeling stock, have specific kits for either gauge option and are not alterable. From a personal, and mercenary, perspective I would have thought 45 mm track and stock were more easily marketed if you were to need to sell on in the future.

Think about joining the 16 mm NGM society http://www.16mm.org.uk/newsite/default.html . A lot of live steamers do, not just those who run on 32 mm gauge track. Max.
 
Chris,
Some of us lurking here are 16millers, at least in name.
ST605 curves mainly limit the rolling stock in use, with regard to buffer/couplings.
A good many larger locos will cope, such as Accucraft Countess, Roundhouse Mountaineer, to name two.
 
The other thing that you could think about, though the difference in levels you quoted could negate this idea. When I moved to Luton back in 1987, I had a perfect location for a Terminus. I quickly laid Slabs for the Terminus and started the Railway up the Garden. Wherever the new Concrete Base ended, I just made a slope then run the Track on the Grass as a Temporary measure. In my case I did a Return Loop. But there is no reason why you should not do the same, so you may need to lift it every now and again to mow the Grass. But this will give you time to get used to what you are doing, have some fun and perhaps decide on the best way forward. Also the delay between putting 'Permanent Way' down and actually doing it may give you a chance to ferret away some more money for your better solution as you learn the Trade of Garden Railways. Plenty of ideas on here for you to see. Also try to do some Visits either via this forum, the G Scale Society or 16mm Society. There Members are always having Open Days, hopefully somewhere near you.
JonD
 
mmm after a few days mulling it over in my head decided on a few things so far.
1 looks like it going to be lgb track.
2 going to be steam and electric as well, as the missus wants me to get Thomas locos for my son.
3 steam depends how much of a slope I get,otherwise will be electric only >:(

Things I am not sure about.

DC OR DCC I've used a few dcc controllers on oo /n gauge but not sure about this on a large scale layout, but happy to go either way.
Liked the nec controller range had a 2 in the past.
Dislike Bachmann dynamiss with hit and miss signals, didn't like Hornby either dcc controllers.

Where's the best place to buy track from ? hattons has some but not all the curve sizes.
Im going to buy some track in the next day or so and put up a layout on top of ground to see what I can get out of it.
Best way maybe buy a wagon to use for testing the track slope angles.
 
Chris71 said:
looks like it going to be lgb track.
Where's the best place to buy track from ? .
Click to expand...
Try these sites....

http://www.gardenrailwaycentres.info/shop/index.php?_a=product&product_id=170

http://www.glendalejunction.co.uk/SecondHand.html

http://www.dragon-gscale.co.uk/lgb-157-c.asp

You could also try Trackshack, Kent Garden Railways, Garden Railway Specialists, Back2Bay6 and ask here too....
 
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