I am starting this thread for people who have backyard or garden railways that they would like to share.
I have a 7 1/2 inch narrow gauge light rail transportation system called the Orchard Garden and Central. The O G & C Currently has 200 lineal feet of trackage that includes a loop of track in my backyard with a branch line that runs up the side yard to the front lawn.
Thank you. I will try to add more information to my post and I would also like to add a couple of videos but I don’t know how to do that. I have an 99.5% completed HO scale switching layout that’s double L shaped that measures 20‘ x 20‘ x 6‘ I would like to post about but it’s too intimidating lol
Maybe GP30M4216 we’ll see this post and lend a helping hand. I’m sure he can find his way to my place
Re: Backyard Railroad
Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2022 9:49 am
by AARR
Do you have rails laid directly in the grass without ballast?
Do you have rails laid directly in the grass without ballast?
I use crushed concrete for the roadbed with 15“ ties made from pressure treated 2“x 4“ that I ripped down and then chopped up to size. The ties and the track are placed directly upon the sub road bed and then ballasted after placement with crushed one and a half inch stone.
In some areas ground cover has sprung up and concealed the rails I leave it because I kinda like the way it looks.
Most of the equipment is home built utilizing 1/8 scale components and follows no prototype. The motorized rail car #23A - #23B are powered by 24 V. electric motors with the batteries housed in the B unit and is outfitted with Tom Bee trucks and working couplers. The gondola car was built by Tom bee and personally delivered to my railroad which was quite an honor. (he gave my railroad his blessing)
Re: Backyard Railroad
Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2022 11:50 am
by AARR
Do you leave the track down during the winter?
Do you have to do any Springtime maintenance before running trains again?
Re: Backyard Railroad
Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2022 12:16 pm
by Steamlogger
Here is a video of my 120’ loop with 30’ loading ramp track
Do you have to do any Springtime maintenance before running trains again?
Yes the track is permanent and every spring I have to go out and pick up sticks and clear debris from the rightaway. This year I’m going to freshen up the ballast in a few spots
Re: Backyard Railroad
Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2022 12:27 pm
by AARR
Do you have any equipment that looks like the prototype?
Do you have any equipment that looks like the prototype?
The gondola is a 1/8 scale 36’ prototype car without the added details such as stirrups and brake wheels which I didn’t add because I’m not modeling 1/8 scale. I’m doing my own thing
I utilize the same Cannonball power truck on my #23A as you have on your Mighty Mac making the two units sound very much the same
Where did you purchase your rail from and what are you using for a riding car?
White Creek is an amazing railroad I have been there once a couple of years ago. The Mighty Mac you have is perfect for loading up and and operating on other railroads i’m sure you’ll have a great time with it.
Re: Backyard Railroad
Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2022 3:26 pm
by Steamlogger
I think my rail came from Carl at Midwest Scale Rail. I got it from my brother when he moved.
You can see my riding car behind the C&O Geep in this video taken at White Creek near Cedar Springsa. The trucks and couplers are Tom Bee. The flat car at the rear and caboose are mine also. https://youtu.be/3edpkdLxKEc
Re: Backyard Railroad
Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2022 7:27 am
by KVERBERK
This is pretty cool. I've wanted to do something like this. Thans for sharing.
In your video clip your locomotive is not yet painted. What is going to be your paint scheme Will it be a C&O scheme to match your caboose a different railways paint scheme or will you paint it for your own home railroad. If you do paint it for your own railroad what will it be called?
You could paint it in the railroadfan.com colors and put the logo on it. It would be free advertising for the website and Z could foot the bill for the paint job. Everybody wins
You could paint it in the railroadfan.com colors and put the logo on it. It would be free advertising for the website and Z could foot the bill for the paint job. Everybody wins
Lol-lol-lolz. You seem to think that donations + google ads > hosting fees. This "business" loses money every month, so no $$$ for paint jobs. I run the site as enjoyment in the hobby at this point.
Re: Backyard Railroad
Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2022 8:39 am
by David Collins
I went to one of SOMRC’s model railroad meetups in Metamora in August 2020, we met at someone’s house who had probably about 30 acres dedicated for rideable trains, I was in charge of a handsome 0-4-0 reading camelback that my family friend brought. Maybe GR H & C knows the person, the name escapes me though…
Re: Backyard Railroad
Posted: Sat Apr 09, 2022 2:47 pm
by Steamlogger
I took my Super Mack to the White Creek Railroad this morning. I just finished adding sound to the Super Mack. It was a cold 33 degrees but I stopped to switch at Windy Ridge and took this video. https://youtu.be/qzT5hTr98aY
I have a couple other videos from today's run uploaded also.
I went to one of SOMRC’s model railroad meetups in Metamora in August 2020, we met at someone’s house who had probably about 30 acres dedicated for rideable trains, I was in charge of a handsome 0-4-0 reading camelback that my family friend brought. Maybe GR H & C knows the person, the name escapes me though…
