Large Scale Central

"What Makes a Great Garden Railway?"

General Discussion
#41

To me, a great garden railroad is one that you can stare at and “lose yourself in”. I imagine myself being a part of it. Riding, sitting, chasing. Maybe I’m a kid just waving at the train passing by. But it takes me away from here and now. It allows me to forget my troubles and problems for an instant and live in a peaceful, simpler place. Just bidin’ my time. Relaxed, chillin’.

It’s another world, and I’m a part of it for a little while. All is good.

Now, excuse me, I’m going out to live in my own little world until the thunderstorms hit!

#42

Jon, no I wasn’t offended, just confused. My mind just doesn’t grasp the concept of being just barely a railroad. Track and trains and my mind equates railroad. So you had a loop in the dirt, that’s a railroad to me. No, it aint the Union Pacific, nor the Canadian National, but its still a railroad. At least to me. And then I wandered off in my post, explaining my logic, or maybe lack of logic, but that train of thought works for me.

#43

What makes the best garden railway?

For me, easy: Track you can walk on without damage. That means you can weed the garden likely along side the most important path – the track. Secondly, you can easily repair only that which you can reach without tearing up, squashing, or damaging the surrounding terrain. Being able to put a cushion down on the track and accomplish repairs in a crouched position lengthwise on and along the track is a big advantage for those who constructed their RR focused on maintenance ease.

I have personally designed three garden railways, all have first kept in mind maintenance and repairs – that’s a mix of garden and mechanics. The novelty of daily running trains can wear out way before the need to maintain. How many readers maintain (with reluctance) a layout that they honestly now only operate on “special” occasions?

Wendell

#44

Lou Luczu said:

To me, a great garden railroad is one that you can stare at and “lose yourself in”. I imagine myself being a part of it. Riding, sitting, chasing. Maybe I’m a kid just waving at the train passing by. But it takes me away from here and now. It allows me to forget my troubles and problems for an instant and live in a peaceful, simpler place. Just bidin’ my time. Relaxed, chillin’.

It’s another world, and I’m a part of it for a little while. All is good.

That is a great reply Lou and kevin Strong hit on that theme as well. I have cars that stay out year round spotted around the RR and whenever I look out into the backyard I see them there and wonder if at any minute a train will be coming by to pick them up.
A great garden railway has the ability to capture a viewers imagination no matter the size of it. And don’t forget if you are having fun doing it then it is great.

#45

Yes Todd I too agree with Lou and Kevin!

#46

Yes Sean, I agree with you and Todd and Kevin! :slight_smile: