PERGOLA SPRINGS RAILWAY

[AlanL]

After 30 plus years of building and altering, I've finally got around to showing off my railway (as we all love pictures). The railway has evolved over the years and I am now no longer seeking to alter it because it serves my requirements (and have run out of space). EDIT- there are plans to change add to the tracks at Pergola Springs.
The railway runs around my garden and has no dead end sidings. In the early days there were some sidings for moving wagons from one side of the railway to a siding on the other side. But I soon realised that shunting wagons was not for me, I am a train watcher and enjoy just watching the trains moving through the miniature landscape. Ideally enjoying a favourite drink, (with the controller forgotten), allowing the trains to perform.
I've never measured the garden but it is about 6 fence panels (36 feet), square.
The railway was inspired and started with old western trains (Bachmann Big Hauler and a pair of LGB Moguls) but has now evolved to the steam / diesel era.

I'll start at the main station, Pergola Springs -

The passing loops have been extended many times to accomadate ever longer trains. The passing loops are now at their maximum lengths and was acheived by using the points as a tangent to the main route. This also eliminates the reverse curve into an adjacent line.
The next photo shows the hopper train that has descended the branch line-

The colour signals do work and change automatically with the passage of the trains.


The view looking at the main lines through the station -

 

[Madman]

At one time, I "Operated" my garden trains. Most of my animations were inspired by the post-war Lionel and American Flyer operating accessories. But as time passed, I found that keeping those animations in tip top operating condition was more of a chore than an enjoyment. My garden railway has become a spectator sport, similar to yours, where I simply watch and don't participate.....

I now get my kicks from my indoor Lionel layout, where I have numerous animations, all at a level that requires no kneeling, clearing debris, re-leveling track and indoors.....

 

[stevedenver]

What a lovely layout. Great ‘Main Street”.
Love the SF blue bonnets. And, the bed of seedum.

Its so true, having details and operating models outside is so much more to manage.

I too have judiciously reduced some of these things, especially during winter, although i periodically go ‘full monty’ with details, lights, fountains, etc.