Greetings all! I've been looking to get back into model railroading for years now but our current little bungalow in California has no space for an indoor layout (even in Z scale!) and the 30 degree hillside slope of our "backyard" has to this point eliminated the idea of a garden railroad.. until now that is! Much to my surprise, the wife suggested out of the blue that I try and do something with the shady little side yard as a project with our little girl. "like put a model train there or something." After making sure she was actually serious, I grabbed the tape measure... What I have is a shaded planting space bordering the walkway on the side of the house about 30 feet long but only 5 feet wide.... 5 feet. ugh. So before I get too excited and start digging (and buying gear)... How limiting would 4' diameter curves be in terms of what can run on it? I'm sort of okay with the idea of doing something whimsical and fun so I'm fine with things not looking "scale," I mean, if my daughter gets her way it might be all pink! good lord I hope not, but regardless I don't want it to be derailment central. Any starter advice given my space constraints? Thanks!
Welcome to TrainBoard! I would believe you can do OK. 24" radius may not support larger steam engines, but should be useable for what space you have available. Boxcab E50
There is alot of good ideas I can come up with for you on 4ft diameter curves. I too had limited space for my little girl in her bedroom. For example Aristocraft has 20ft rolling stock with will negotiate 4ft curves with no problem and there are some kid themes to pick from including a pink bubble yum box car. You can pull this train with a Aristocraft little critter or center cab diesel for example. Here is a link to my little girls train set which I used 5ft diameter curves instead due to she wanted a bigger Aristocraft 2-8-0 consolidation. Here is the link to my album for some ideas >> http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/album.php?albumid=470 If this is too kid like for you there is still a few choices of more realistic trains to choose from. USA Trains has nice starter sets the come with a NW-2 switcher a American series box car and caboose which can all run on 4ft diameter track. All USA American series rolling stock can negotiate a 4ft diameter curve, but only the USA NW-2, S-4 and 44 tonner swithcers can go thru a 4ft curve. The other USA locomotives are way too big. The Aristocraft center cab diesel, lil critter and the Alco FA will go thru a 4ft diameter cuve. Here is a USA Train set link >> http://www.usatrains.com/r72300.html Here is a reference chart that may help you out Aristocraft Locomotives Lil Critter 4ft dia Center Cab Diesel 4ft dia Alco PA 4ft dia U25B 5ft dia 2-8-0 Consolidation 5ft dia 0-4-0 Rogers 4ft dia 2-8-2 Mikado 8ft dia SD-45 8ft dia USA Trains F3-A 5ft dia GP-30 5ft dia GP-9 5ft dia GP38-2 5ft dia NW-2 4ft dia SD40-2 8ft dia SD70-MAC 8ft dia S-4 4ft dia 44 tonner 4ft dia Special Note: I only listed equipment I'm most familiar with, I have been told by many people at train shows that LGB makes all of thier trains to run on the smallest curve availble which is 4ft diameter, so basiclly you don't have to worry about what LGB product you buy, it will negotiate a 4ft diameter curve.. I also know that all Bachman trains will also run on 4ft Diameter curve, but not sure about the new 1:20.3 scale K27 steam locomotive they just came out with. Here is a very small list of freight cars USA Trains Ultimate series passenger cars 10ft dia USA Trains Ultimate series 55ft Tank car 8ft dia USA Trains Ultimate series 55ft Hopper car 8ft dia Aristocraft Heavyweight passenger cars 8ft dia USA Ultimate series with exception of whats listed above 5ft curves USA American series 4ft dia Aristocraft 20ft rolling stock 4ft dia Aristocraft 2 bay hopper car series 4ft dia Aristocraft Delton series 4ft dia Have fun
As far as space, G scale looks massive, but you can run a G scale train in a 4 x 4 area, half of what you would use for a HO scale layout. Hartland Locomotive Works has a Train barrel kit that runs on a 4ft curve which goes around a barrel, it's pretty neat. Here is the link >> http://www.h-l-w.com/SetsPage.html
Boxcab, trains, EMD, thanks for the encouraging and thorough response! I'm psyched! Groundbreaking on the new line shall proceed! Will update with some "before" pics as I get going.
Al That's actually a great space to get started with. In fact it's only a little wider than my first space and I would still be very happy running it if we had stayed in the same house. My plan was to run more or less modern diesels but given 5 feet I would have been quite happy with larger type NG steam. It was basically a dog bone with reverse end. There's enough room for some industry, or two, a nice passing siding at a station and a engine house with a reverse track. There's room for some bridges and tunnels as well. Makes for a lot of fun - and a realistic railway. It could be beautiful. There are some overhead pictures at.... Winter Valley Regional Railroad - Welcome! and click on Mountain Division. Have fun Dave
Wow Dave this looks awesome, very inspiring indeed. looking forward to taking my time enjoying your WVRR site and can't wait to get started myself. Thanks! -Al
Small space. Try not to think in the small space. My basement is 18 feet by 28 feet. Not a big basement but I have a large 2 level G scale railroad. I did plan and plan and plan some more to get the most out the space. It depends on what you do with the space at hand. Many times you may rework a space to get it just right. Now as far as running locomotives. I had to go with tight curves some are the 4’ and some are wider. But my main locomotives are the G scale Backman anniversary locomotives. They run great and like to run on sharp curves. In G scale we often give up quantity for quality. That is unless you have a basement like Dave Winters, my hats off to him, his layout is just superb! For some ideas on how to use space and what can be done in small spaces with G scale check out my web page at: http://www.eclipseauctions.u/davp here are some shots of my layout. Note all these seens are as narow as 1 foot and as wide as 2 foot.
Thanks Sean! Nice layout. I like the use of the building facades along the backdrop to maximize your space. A basement G-scale project seems like it would be challenging to create such nice scenes in the space available. Cheers! -Al
The Bachmann 2-8-0 and K-27s will NOT run on 4' diameter, and neither will the Mallet. I'll recommend an LGB Mogul(2-6-0), they're $300-400 on eBay. They pull great, run forever, and though LGB recommends against using them on 4' diameter, they in fact run with no problems on it. Easily the best engine you can get that'll run on that. EDIT: An early one is up for $199 if you want to try for that before tomorrow. Ebay link Or if you prefer a more modern look and sound, this one shouldn't go for much over $400. Another Ebay link
Sean offers the best use of narrow spaces (16 inch shelves - or less) that I've ever seen on indoor layouts. Just looking at photo 3 is a clinic. Lots of people wouldn't even attempt that scene. My little piece of track behind the furnace was just the Plywood Central for a long time until I saw what could be accomplished. So space is never an issue. It's just your imagination that's holding you back. Dave
Al in LA, welcome to Trainboard! I look forward to seeing how your G projects continue. This is a good place for getting ideas and tips and such. Adam
