This discussion has some fascinating potential. I've never read a thread, having much detail about landscaping an outdoor railroad. Especially in a fashion, that doesn't simply make it look like toy trains running through a garden. Boxcab E50
Hey Guys know I have you all thinking, let me run another question buy you !!! Pine trees. I read a discussion about height on the On30 conspiracy. I was in the unusual position of having as much potential headroom as I wanted, but again standard construction methods may not be waterproof enough. I got as far as thinking of using a tanalised broom pole as a start for a trunk and whittle it to a taper (not the full length !!!) But any ideas for follage ? The other option was bonzi conifers !! In an ideal world I would like to make te layout Not look like the usual minin train in a real world, But there will always be something in the background, One think you cant beat is the lighting. Nothing beats noon day sunshine for taking pictures with real shadows !! John John
John, I think I would try to go as "natural" as possible. Of course, it depends on whether you enjoy gardening as well as model railroading. Plants obviously need care. Imitation grass and trees can actually have a negative impact on the real environment BUT you don't have to trim or prune. My personal preference would be live trees, Banzai type connifers. I have a neighbor that grows "Dwarf Pine" trees. They are perfect for G scale, but way too big for On30. If I were going to manufacture a tree for outdoors I would think of someting more permanent than wood...like used imitation Christmas tree boughs that could be modified or even large bottle brushes that could be painted. John
Im guessing bonzi could be expensive if bought at any size, and if bought small it could be a long process (a hobby within a hobby) Im not the sort to sit and watch the plants grow ! But Im impressed with the artificial christmas tree branches. guess what im going to be looking for today !! John
Let us know what you find. As I recall there is an article in MR (mid 1980s I think) talking about using artificial Christmas tree branches. If I find the reference I'll get you the link John
That's where you bring the wife in. She buys those neat trees and you get to run your trains under and around them. Greg
Hi guys, After all interest in garden railways in this group and others I have set up a yahoo group dedicated to the subject. As Im the only member to date please feel free to come and join the garden railway discussion. Its at http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/gardenrailways John RJR Branch Line http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/gardenrailways
Hey, thanks for the link, I may be able to join you there in a few months (well closer to 6 months), but right now I need to focus on my PhD (even visting TB is going to get tough ) John
WOW! I had not checked on this thread for a while, but I check in now to find many many many new posts! excellent!:thumbs_up:
Hey Kozmo...wondered where you got off to...you are afterall the host of this thread So, what do you think...will you go "wild" and step outside with the layout?? John
Trees Trees Trees I feel good as I have planted an entire forrest today. I took your advice and bought a £14.99 Christmas tree, (I got some strange looks in the store buying a tree in August) My wife and daughters sat with me round the table cutting and snipping into shape then I went planting. Check out this for a pine forrest !!
Yes I will. but, We just put our house up for sale, however out new locoation, far far southwest of cold snowy as well as hot & humid Minnesota should allow for much better weather - maybe even year round running! But right now, the newer pup, the house for sale, work and N scale fills my time. but don't count me out. I spend too much time in the back yard NOT to have a railroad there. how else to serve drinks to my guests. ;-)
John, I think that looks great! I never thought of "off the ground" model RR in the backyard till I saw your site. great idea!
Artificial Christmas Trees.... what an amazing idea! this will save me bundles when i start work on the door layout... they look fairly real for the most part... any one tried these trees indoors? i will have to wait till the end of christmas and go bargin huntin
It is indeed possible to run On30 outside. Of course, a lot depends on what weather extremes you face. DC or DCC? I wouldn't build an outside layout with either...look at onboard batteries and radio control. My layout has been outside for years and outside of routine maintenence, I have very few problems. Woodie
