Introduction
This blog describes ongoing progress in the development of a G gauge Garden Railway from its inception to the present day.
NEW (29 June 2024)
NEWS
The blog has now had well over a million visitors. Many thanks to all those who have provided me with support, suggestions and feedback over the years.When I became interested in building my own garden railway I spent a considerable amount of time (and money) on books, videos, DVDs and scouring the internet for information, ideas and inspiration. When I eventually started construction, I used some of the ideas I had discovered, but also experimented with my own approaches. This blog outlines how I have gone about constructing my own garden railway. My aim is to provide the sort of information I was looking for when I was getting started, and also to share what I've learned (or 'borrowed' from others). I've tried to include a few 'How I ........' postings interspersed with occasional 'Progress Reports'. I do not profess to be any kind of expert - what I offer here is an opportunity for you to metaphorically look over my shoulder to see how I have gone (and am going) about this fascinating hobby.
As this is a blog, the various posts are presented in reverse chronological order (ie the most recent first). To see a categorised list of contents, go to the Blog Contents Page.
If you are thinking about building your own garden railway, then why not join the 16mm Association or the G Scale Society - you'll get plenty more advice and opportunities to visit other peoples' garden railways. Alternatively, browse through the G Scale Central website - there's plenty more guidance here and an opportunity to sound out the views of others through the G Scale Central discussion forum.
The Blog
The advantages of blogging are that it is immediate and uncomplicated when creating and uploading information. The other, of course, is that with Blogger it is free. The major disadvantage is that I have minimal control over how the postings are presented. The blogging system adds the most recent information to the start of the blog, hence the postings appear in reverse chronological order (most recent first, oldest last). Whilst there is a list of postings on the right hand side, it's not particularly easy to see what is there. This introduction is an attempt to provide you with a contents list of the postings organised into categories so, hopefully, you see if what you are looking for is presented in this blog. To ensure that it always appears at the start of the blog, I update its content and set its presentation date into the future each time I add a new posting.
Have just found your blog, through searching after a rumour of LGB wye points.
ReplyDeleteFascinating. I'm on my seecond garden ralway, (the first a tiny courtyard one)
Very interesting to see your similar and different thoughts to mine on design, problem-solving...
ChrisBrownofCabra@googlemail.com.
I've just put my first-ever video on you tube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3TNgprAVGI
Best wishes.
Thanks Chris
ReplyDeleteNot heard the same rumour - might be worth posting a question on the G Scale Mad forum to see if anyone else has. Piko appear to produce one but as yet I've not found a stockist with the whole range listed (I think Gaugemaster are the main importer). If I hear anything I'll email you.
Rik
I read that you have put a link to my blog JJWtrains and it took me a little while to find your blog. But i have added a link to your blog on my garden railroading article. Thanks!!
ReplyDelete--James Willmus
Hey, its JJW from JJWtrains. just wanted you to know that I added a link from my new blog at: http://smokeytimberlogging.blogspot.com/ to yours. i hope that you do the same as I want to get word out. Thanks in advance.
ReplyDeleteHi James
ReplyDeleteJust posted a link to your blog on my 'Where did I get my Ideas from?" page. I also follow you on Youtube BTW.
Rik
I liked blog. I will have written everything to learn from their experience. I have included in my list of favorite blogs:
ReplyDeletehttp://masquetrenes.wordpress.com/referencias-modelismo-ferroviario/
A greeting,
Javier.
Thanks Javier. I will take a look at your blog.
ReplyDeleteRik,
ReplyDeleteI have been enjoying your blog since I got back into trains last October 2017.
I ran across your videos during a google search session for G scale railways.
I really love your style of taking them, like a rail fan would chasing a real railway. Sometimes while working on a project I will just start your videos running. Very relaxing. Especially when I was building the yard turnouts, it was getting hard to keep going. So I'd stop and watch one of your running sessions. Then get back to it.
I like your blog format so much that I started one and hope you don't mind me following your example. The information in your posts is very well organized, helpful and very encouraging. I WILL be using a lot of your techniques.
I wish to pass on the same to others.
Keep those great videos and post coming.
Thanks,
John
https://angelsbranch1912.blogspot.com/
Thanks for the feedback. Glad you like the blog and the videos. It's encouraging to hear someone enjoys my scribblings and videos. And thanks for the great compliment by wanting to emulate my blog with your own. Really like the look of your railway already. Will folliw developments with interest. Those coaches look very similar to Jackson Sharps. No doubt you could bash some if you're not into scratchbuilding.
ReplyDeleteRik
Hi Rik,
ReplyDeleteIn my report no.3 and 4 you can see my pair I bashed from the Bachmann Jackson Sharp cars. Cut the end off, removed 2 windows each side, cut a section out of the roof, and cut the underframe in 4 places to realign the brake lines/gear. Guess I'll have to do a video on another pair I have, though there was only the two used on the branch. They are still in the roundhouse today 5 miles from here, used for movie work only.
John
PS I have one of those 2 axle cars you just converted, too bad it cost $30.00+ USD to ship it.
Hi John.
ReplyDeleteI should have read further. All the best with future bashes and builds.
Rik
Thank you for a very infoand interesting blog. I do not operate a model railway (yet) but time spent in reconnaissance is seldom wasted. I have greatly enjoyed the level of detail and clear presenting style you use, written, pictorial or video. Most interesting is your conversion to battery power, which will lead me off on another research route. So thank you.
ReplyDeleteMarc
Thanks Marc
ReplyDeleteGlad you've found some of the info useful. I certainly haven't regretted converting to battery power. So much less hassle than trying to keep track clean and tracking down problems with electrical continuity - and also cheaper than DCC.
Rik
Hello Rik -- I avidly follow your adventures in garden railroading and I must confess that I miss not seeing a new posting from you in over a month. I see that you still interact on GScale Central so I assume and dearly hope you are doing well and are healthy. I can only guess that you must be working on a whopper of a project or a whopper of a Progress Report to cause your unusual delay in your entertaining railway enterprises. Hope to hear from you soon --- I miss your further exploits on the PLR! Mike
ReplyDeleteThanks Mike
ReplyDeleteYes, I am a bit behind with my progress reports. All fit and healthy here and actually enjoying lockdown as it means I have more time for the railway.
No massive projects but the weather has been so good I've been running a lot of trains. I'll be releasing another video tomorrow (Friday) which is an amalgamation of a couple of running sessions.
I've also been playing around with a 3d printer which I bought very cheaply new as a kit (£80). That has also taken up a lot of time - the cheaper the price the more effort required to get decent prints, it would seem. There's also the ex Clogher Valley Railcar which I've posted about on GSC. So, there will be plenty in the next progress report, when I get the time to write it 😉
Rik
Yea,
ReplyDeleteWhere are the progress reports...
I like it much better when you comment during the videos. Too hard to read and watch at the same time.:)
Thank you for the great videos.
John
https://angelsbranch1912.blogspot.com/
Nearly there with April's progress report ..... 😏
ReplyDeleteNever thought about the video commentaries in that way. I suppose it's because I don't like the sound of my own voice. I've always assumed people would prefer seeing words so they can watch it on phones with the sound turned down. I watch train videos on my tablet while watching tv with the missus so have to turn the sound down for some reason! Just released the latest video with a written commentary. I might re-edit and add a spoken commentary to see what reactions I get.
Enjoying your blog btw. I see you keep your progress reports short and sweet (and regular).
Rik
You know us Yankees, we always hire the Brits to narrate our documetaries. For some reason we like the Queen's english.
ReplyDeleteI'll give it a try on my next video. I floated the idea on one of my forums and the general view was in agreement with your viewpoint - ie spoken commentaries are preferred rather than captions. Looks like I'm committed now..... 😏
ReplyDeleteRik
Hi Rik, Great web site, tons of info and really interesting. I came across your number 3 Black Hawthorn build! Wow super work. The reason is to make a model for one of the Drivers back at kettering Furnaces in 1950/62 He is 92! So when I discovered that I knew I had to make a model for him as a present. So I am gathering all I can find and found a few pictures and the ones of number 3 in the Museum.I should say Ive done modelling ( traction engines) but not on rail! So its new pastures , I have now decided the airfix kit is too small to modify ( 040 saddle tank) and now intend to scratch build it... but not found any drawings so progress is slow. It would perhaps a static diorama with the engine outside the shed ( one pic I found ) or another is in the process of shunting the ore trucks for tipping , but the picture is limited... Found the number 5 book so hoping there is info... any pictures would be marvellous.
ReplyDeleteAny books I should find? i have Ivo Peters videos , and just order a video to play them!!! Look forward to any comments and what a inspiration your work is! Kind regards
Vic
Vicf1965@gmail.con
Thanks Vic. I'm glad you found the description of the Black Hawthorn build interesting. I was really pleased with how it turned out and she's now one of my favourite locos. I'd be interested in hearing how your build goes.
ReplyDeleteRik
nice
ReplyDeleteGood day,
ReplyDeleteI would just like to take a moment to thank you for your considerable efforts creating, updating and sharing your blog with all. Thank you.
I have just got into larger scales and garden railroading and am in my research phase before I buy. I have been looking at alternative control options as I will be going deadrail right from the get go and your videos was some of the first that popped up on Youtube. I since found your blog and the wealth of information it contains with all the various modifications and tests that you did and your detailed explanations, it is worth a lot to someone looking to learn as much as possible.
I personally will be going the Arduino route due to ease of component availability compared to the Deltang system which seems like the best way to go but will have to import everything I wish to use (South Africa).
I was very amazed to see your results using Arduino and MP3 to get sound to your loco, I realize it is fairly limited and a bit of work is required, but I wish to give it a go.
Cheers.
Charel
Thanks for the feedback, Charel. I also need to spend more time tweaking the Arduino RC system. My plan is to construct a Bluetooth transmitter. I found the NRF24 system to be unreliable whereas when I used an HC05 with a phone it was very stable. My plan is to use another HC05 as a master in a transmitter.
ReplyDeleteRik