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BASIC
INFORMATION FOR NEW STARTERS
SCALE &
GAUGE
The main
track gauges used for garden railways are 32mm and 45mm. Other
gauges can be used but generally speaking the bigger the better
for outdoors. The term G scale refers to anything running on
45mm track. For standard gauge trains 45mm track the scale
works out at 1/32. Narrow gauge trains running on the same track
will be to a scale of somewhere between 1/24 and 1/18. Many G
scalers quite happily run a mixture of scales on the basis that
if it looks right it is right.
G SCALE
MANUFACTURERS
LGB are
the best known brand. They went into administration towards the
end of 2006 but a buyer has been found and the future looks
secure. LGB mostly make models of European narrow gauge trains.
They never quote a scale, probably because they are not strictly
to scale. Their stock is full of character, well detailed and
renowned for its longevity and toughness. It also tends to be
more expensive than other brands.
 £550
 £76
 LGB
starter set £170
BACHMANN
are an American company making models of American narrow gauge
stock at 1/20 scale. The wagons a very reasonably priced and the
locos are in the circa £300 bracket. Some earlier cheaper locos
are available but these are not up to the same standards as the
later items.
 £388
 £28
ARISTOCRAFT and USA TRAINS are American companies making models
of American standard gauge trains. These two companies have a
large range of American items but are hard to find in the UK.
Aristocraft are due to introduce a class 66 in 2007
ARISTOCRAFT
 £392
 £240
 £45
USA TRAINS
 £72
 £198
 £75
ACCUCRAFT
make live steam and electric trains and some are based on UK
designs. Other live steam loco manufacturers include ROUNDHOUSE
and PEARSE.
It should
be considered that there is not really sufficient British based
stock available to build a UK based railway unless live steam is
to be used.
TRACK
PLAN and RAILWAY DESIGN
It is
important to think about what you want form your railway as this
affects the design. There are three fundamental track designs as
follows:-
 CIRCULAR.
This is where the layout is fundamentally a circle thus allowing
trains to go round and round. Least interesting to operate but
great if you just want to watch the trains go by.
Interest
can be added by adding passing loops (e.g.a station) or creating
a figure of eight or other shapes.
END TO
END. As the name suggests this type of railway goes from one
place to another, usually with a station at each end. This is
much more interesting to operate but needs to be operated to
keep things running so it is not so relaxing.
OUT AND
BACK. Here there is one station and the track goes out and round
in a circle back to the start point. This particular design will
need special attention to the electrics if track power is used.
It is
possible to combine some of these ideas like this
Another
decision to be made is whether the railway is going to be at
ground height or at a higher level. A high level railway will be
easier to use but will not blend in with the garden.
It should
be considered that railways are not good at climbing steep hills
so the contours of the garden need to be considered carefully.
Embankments, cuttings and tunnels can be used to help avoid
gradients which are too steep. Just like building the real
thing. Carefully assessment of the gradients required is
essential when planning a garden railway. Gradients are best no
steeper than 1 in 20; 1 in 30 would be better.
The type
of train to be run will also have a considerable effect on the
design of the railway. All LGB stock will go round 2’6” radius
curves. Some of the other manufacturer’s stock will also go
round this radius but not all of it. A minimum of 4’ radius is
the stated minimum for some of the American locos. In reality a
minimum of 5’ radius is a good thing to aim for if larger trains
are to be run.
TRACK
Track is
available form LGB, Aristocraft and USA Trains and all are
compatible. Track which is closer to scale appearance is
available from PECO and Tenmille but, being closer to scale,
they are less robust and not compatible with the previously
mentioned brands.
USA
Trains track is very rarely seen in this country but LGB and
Aristocraft are readily available. Aristocraft is cheaper for
track but electrically operated points may be cheaper and better
from LGB. LGB describe their curves as radius 1, radius 2 etc.
with radius 1 being the sharpest. Small radius points really
should be avoided.
POWER and
CONTROL
There are
a number of possible routes to be taken to power trains. Things
start to get complicated from here!
TRACK or
BATTERY POWER
Some
railways power electric locomotives through the track and some
use batteries. Both methods work and both have advantages and
disadvantages. Battery power means that batteries have to be
charged before running. Locomotives also have to be modified to
carry batteries or connect to a battery carrying wagon. Track
power means that the track has to be clean enough to pass
current through to the locomotive wheels. Track and loco wheels
will need to be cleaned from time to time. Electrical
continuity will have to be maintained all of the way along the
track. So using track power will involve more maintenance than
battery power. Most locos come designed to pick up power from
the track.
If track
power is used then there has to be a means of delivering a
variable current of 0 to 24 volts DC to the track from the
household supply of 240 volts AC. This requires a transformer to
convert the 240 volts AC to a 24 volt DC power supply. If using
USA Trains locos then the power supply needs to deliver at least
6 and preferably 10 amps. LGB locos generally need only 1 to 2
amps.
Due to
the nature of garden railways it is usually best to have a radio
control over the power going to the locomotive. This can be
achieved by either analogue or DCC routes. Analogue is the
traditional variable voltage route. DCC is where the track has
full power applied and a circuit board on the locomotive is used
to control the power to the motor. LGB MTS system is a form of
DCC.
COSTS
Garden
railways are not cheap. Here are the costs of some of the
basics.
Track –
about £2.50 per foot
Points -
£40 each
Power
supply - £40 off ebay
Radio
control variable supply - £120
Chris Morris 2007. |
