Why Garden Railroading
Is Increasing In Popularity

Creating A Garden Railroad In A Natural Environment

Garden railroading (commonly referred to as G scale railroads or Garden Scale railroads) is becoming increasingly popular because it combines the realism of trains with a natural environment.

Some garden railroad layouts are complete with buildings, people and tiny plants, whilst others have a track going through a full-size garden.

G scale garden railroad trains are larger than 0 scale (1:48) but smaller than the trains that are large enough to ride on. G scale, is approximately 1:24 (varying from 1:19 to 1:32, actually). Most large-scale trains run on No 1 gauge track (45mm between the rails). They are ideal for garden settings and because they are large they are generally hard to derail. Some people also run O-scale (1:48) Lionel trains outdoors.

With a garden railroad being outdoors, you are dealing with real life. Trees are growing living plants, mountains are made of dirt, rivers are made of water, rocks are made of stone. And, they are exposed to the weather!

Careful planning is important to ensure that your garden railroad operates efficiently and stands the test of time. When choosing a location for a garden railroad - question whether or not it is secure. You don't want any harm to come to your garden railroad or model trains.

Wonderful Rail Journeys

• Trans Siberian railway tours
  
• Switzerland's Alpine scenery by train
  
• Reunification Express tour - Vietnam
  
• USA Coast to Coast
  
• Canadian Rockies and a journey on the Rocky Mountaineer
  
• Australia & the Ghan Luxury Train
  
• Discovering Japan by train
  
• London to Jordan, by rail
• Travel China by High Speed Trains

Assuming you are happy with any security issues, then check to see how level the proposed site is.

• Will you have to dig out parts of the garden to make it level (or maybe bring in additional earth)?
• Will you need to build retaining walls for your garden railroad layout?
• Will the garden railroad fit in with an a existing garden layout, or will the garden need to be redesigned to fit with the garden
  railroad?
• Are there things in the way like fences, clotheslines, dog kennels, buildings, paths, or swimming pools.
• What will need to be removed and what can be worked around?

More details at http://www.modeltrainclub.org/club.html

Garden Railroad Club News

Although we can't mention every model railroading club, we will from time to time feature news and activities happening at various garden railroad clubs from around the world. Here is some information about a couple of clubs:

The Vancouver Island Garden Railroad Club (Canada) is a perfect example. The garden railroad club was formed for like-minded people to share their ideas and interest in garden railroading. These photos show a couple of different garden railroads belonging to members.