Plan Your Garden Train RouteBefore you buy garden trains, look at the space in your yard, consider where you want your track, and envision the type of train you want to run. You'll need trains, a track, power, and scenery. For the most simplistic setups, look for a large-scale train, loop of track, and a level area in your yard. When designing your garden line, you may want to add stations, animals, people, a bridge, or other scenery. You can also build scenery, or even railroads, from scratch or combine or modify kits to create your own structures. Starter garden train sets include an engine, cars, transformer, and track. AristoCraft offers a line of assembled model kits. Some kits are assembled with resin to make them more resistant to the elements. Choose trains that you find aesthetically pleasing. You can choose from old-fashioned steam engines, diesel trains, modern passenger trains, circus trains, and freight trains. Steam engines, such as Aster Hobbies’ 1:32 scale locomotives and 1:20.3 scale steam engines from Roundhouse Engineering Co. and Accucraft, are an option for nostalgic hobbyists. They run on denatured alcohol, butane gas, or coal. Scale refers to the size of the model train as compared to the real thing. A locomotive of scale 1:22.5 is 22.5 times smaller than a life-size locomotive. You can write scale as either a ratio or a fraction. For example, 1:22.5 or .533”=1’0”. Garden trains range anywhere from 1:32 to 1:8 in scale. At the larger end, some 1 ½-inch scale trains are actually ride-on-top trains. Trains of similar scale often work together, though some use different couplers, presenting a challenge. A large garden is suitable for a main line with long sections of straight track and broad curves; a tighter space might call for a logging or mining railway with sharper turns. You might decide to start with a single loop or, if space is an issue, a straight section of track to run a train back and forth. Gauge refers to the distance between rails. Models of a certain scale run on standard-gauge track unless otherwise mentioned; 1¾-inch gauge 1 track, for example, is standard gauge for G scale trains. In general, most trains don’t look realistic going around sharp turns. The larger the radius of your turns, the better. Track is available with adjustable or fixed curved or straight track. If you are considering a permanent setup, look into flexible track. This way you can shape the track to your own space rather than having to follow the turns. Most track can be left outdoors; LGB track is usually made of brass, or even stainless steel, making it able to withstand the elements. Many people run power through the track, and a transformer is sufficient for outdoor use. Unlike the other components in your set, it cannot be left outside. You can also run power through overhead wires. An alternative is battery power, sometimes combined with R/C, or radio control. You may be able to get an R/C system that is specifically made for the brand of train that you own. |
