Author Topic: Garden Layout, Early Pics  (Read 14559 times)

Offline gloobey

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Garden Layout, Early Pics
« on: April 28, 2008, 04:03:58 »
Hello All,

I've been weeding, digging, ballasting, and edging for two weeks. The results are in a new gallery. Click on the link below to see what I have so far. There's more work to be done, but the trains are running and I'm ready to start putting buildings out now so I thought I would share a few pics. I hope you enjoy seeing what I've come up with. Fell free to ask questions or make comments. I'm definitely open to suggestions.

http://www.playmofriends.com/forum/album/thumbnails.php?album=54
What's the point of going, if you can't get there on a train?

Offline Richard

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Re: Garden Layout, Early Pics
« Reply #1 on: April 28, 2008, 04:22:17 »


Helo, Steve ...  :wave:

Hello All,

I've been weeding, digging, ballasting, and edging for two weeks. The results are in a new gallery. Click on the link below to see what I have so far. There's more work to be done, but the trains are running and I'm ready to start putting buildings out now so I thought I would share a few pics. I hope you enjoy seeing what I've come up with. Fell free to ask questions or make comments. I'm definitely open to suggestions.

http://www.playmofriends.com/forum/album/thumbnails.php?album=54

Thanks for the "early" photos!

Wonder why you're having so much trouble with "Dead Man's Curve" ... ???

Is it possible to lift the outside of the curve a bit with ballast?
(Or, have you already tried that?)

Thanks again for the photos! ... (and, the link) ... ;)

All the best,
Richard




Offline playmofire

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Re: Garden Layout, Early Pics
« Reply #2 on: April 28, 2008, 06:23:20 »
Thanks for the update, Steve.  It all looks very exciting and I look forward to seeing more pics.
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Offline Timotheos

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Re: Garden Layout, Early Pics
« Reply #3 on: April 28, 2008, 09:41:44 »
It looks great!  (And gives me ideas for how to improve my own "ocean of grass" suburban lawn).

How durable is that stuff to leave out permanently?  I mean, I guess rain isn't going to hurt the plastic--though in my area bird dung, spider webs, mold, and ants are a problem.

-Tim

Offline Jimbo

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Re: Garden Layout, Early Pics
« Reply #4 on: April 28, 2008, 14:36:04 »
Hi Gloobey :wave:

That is a great layout. Thanks for the pictures.
I want to make a very small outdoor railroad around a tree in the
back yard.

Keep us posted on the progress!

May you have clear tracks and sunny weather.
Jimbo 


Offline gloobey

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Re: Garden Layout, Early Pics
« Reply #5 on: April 28, 2008, 21:47:24 »
Wonder why you're having so much trouble with "Dead Man's Curve" ... ???

Is it possible to lift the outside of the curve a bit with ballast?
(Or, have you already tried that?)
Hi Richard, I think the main problem with this section is that I'm moving from an 8' radius into a 4' radius curve. The smallest radius curve from LGB (R1) is great for indoor use, but it's given me no end of trouble outside. I have replaced most of it with 8' track. "Dead Man's Curve" is next to undergo the change. Banking the curve with ballast definitely helps. I have used that technique on other curves with success. It's a constant learning process, that's for sure!

How durable is that stuff to leave out permanently?  I mean, I guess rain isn't going to hurt the plastic--though in my area bird dung, spider webs, mold, and ants are a problem.
Hi Tim, I have all of the issues listed above, add tree sap, and moles too! The track itself is brass and has been outside for almost four years now. It's held up great. The ties are UV resistant plastic. I'm using LGB and Aristocraft track. The main issue for me is conductivity between sections. I have the track screwed together and am using jumper cables from section to section. That's been working pretty good so far. The moles have been defeated by placing long pavers under the entire loop of track (in a trench approx. 12" deep). Then weed barrier sheeting over everything.
What's the point of going, if you can't get there on a train?

Offline gloobey

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Re: Garden Layout, Early Pics
« Reply #6 on: April 28, 2008, 21:48:42 »
Thanks for the good wishes Jimbo and Playmofire!
What's the point of going, if you can't get there on a train?

Offline Knight Train

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Re: Garden Layout, Early Pics
« Reply #7 on: April 30, 2008, 00:46:10 »
Why is the 4' radius curve bad outside, is it the fact that it doesn't sit completely level?  Or is it that you can run the trains faster?
 

Offline Martin Milner

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Re: Garden Layout, Early Pics
« Reply #8 on: April 30, 2008, 07:09:17 »
Why is the 4' radius curve bad outside, is it the fact that it doesn't sit completely level?  Or is it that you can run the trains faster?

Momentum. Going from an 8' radius to a 4' radius causes the trains to tip over as they try to get round the tighter curve.

Offline Richard

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Re: Garden Layout, Early Pics
« Reply #9 on: April 30, 2008, 14:17:20 »


Thanks, Martin ...

Momentum. Going from an 8' radius to a 4' radius causes the trains to tip over as they try to get round the tighter curve.

I must have slept through that class ...  :-[

Seems like everyone (except Steve and me) knows about this ... ;)

Roller coaster people ... HERE

Ice skaters ... HERE

And, model train people ... HERE

Thanks again, Martin, and all the best,
Richard