Shop Departments:
- Trains - Things to Consider
- Trains - Build a Garden Railroad
- Trains - Troubleshooting
- Trains - Marklin
Trains - Build a Garden Railroad
This garden railroad is located in Noank, CT. The railroad is approx., 35 x 60 feet built on pressure treated 2" x 6" wood. It has a LGB track with a small water garden feature, wireless multi-train control, two sidings and a train storage shed.
What you will need to get you started...
- Careful planning.
- Gather materials. Rocks (lots of rocks), bricks, cement blocks for supports, gravel, etc.
- Pre cut 2 x 6's using a radial arm saw, cutting to fairly exact angles for each radius of track being used.
- Site preparation by removing plants, mulch, etc. that might be in the way.
- Locate the main elements, bridges (establish grade starting point), water garden, and water filters.
- Set in bridges and be sure that they have a good support system. We use custom made bridge abutments that are at the exact height for the bridge used and they have an attachment for the wood roadbed.
- Assemble the wood roadbed using deck screws. Establish grades using a level and filler block.
- Using the cement blocks and bricks create support for the roadbed. We use gravel for an underlayment under the bricks/blocks. Each joint should have such a support along with supports every 3 feet or so. If the roadbed is on level compacted earth the blocks are not necessary. (On day two we found out that the ground sloped down more than we expected and we need higher brick supports at one end which means we will need more earth fill to cover the brick). When the layout is this large and there are a number of features, (i.e. the pond and bridges), there may be some adjustments required.
- Be sure that the roadbed is buried level with the finished earth. It will be covered later with "stone dust ballast".
- Run heavy wire (#14) along the roadbed for power feed.