We finally got our order of Massoth switch machines in the mail, after some very quick (and easy) wiring I got it hooked up to one of our signal masts. Can’t wait to see the layout all set up with them!
Photo 1: Gunther, our siberian cat met my engine Lyn and started clawing at her
Photo 2: Douglas my cockapoo (Can you guess who I named him after?) with an engine driver cap
Photo 3: Gunther's brother Francis meeting Russell for the first time, he was a bit skeptical because to a cat, steam engines probably smell very strange.
Photo 4: Younger Francis with Lyn
I’m going to a railway show in my hometown this September, and I’ll be bringing my new coal-fired locomotive, Connie, which some of you may have seen on this subreddit before.
Obviously I want to keep smoke to a minimum. I know it’s impossible to have absolutely zero smoke with a coal-fired engine, so I was wondering if anyone knows of any good smokeless fuels that work well at railway shows. It does not have to be coal, it can be wood or something else.
I’ll be steaming her up outside first, and once she can use her steam blower properly, I’ll bring her inside.
Right after my quarry Hunslet was moved into the sidings she dropped all of her rods off on her left side.
If this happens to your engine just get an Alan key which you would use to regauge an engine and tighten the grub screws.
So I know I’ve posted a bit about my new coal-fired engine, but not much about her old boiler. I still own the old boiler, and I decided to have a bit of fun with it.
I ordered a Smudger number plate and a “No. 2” plate to stick on with double-sided tape or something at railway shows, because people absolutely love Thomas the Tank Engine references. And if anyone notices and asks about it, I can just jokingly say, “Yeah, it used to be an engine, but it was naughty so it got cannibalized for parts." which to be honest is not too far from the truth.
I took the plunge and pulled apart my Roundhouse Engineering live steam locomotive, spray it with a clear gloss coat, added decals (not easy) and then spray with a satin clear coat.
First time doing anything like this but I’m pretty happy with the results.
I haven't even begun to make a garden railroad, but i have a few questions.
Are the tracks electric like indoor model trains, or do the locomotives have their own power source and controls?
Where does one purchase such trains and tracks? (I live in the U.S.)
Any advice on where to "not go wrong" in building my first garden railway?
Today is national steamtrain day at all museum railways which have steam trains in the Netherlands. On my garden railway, three steam locomotives are active today. Here are some pictures.
As the title states. I really want to build a garden railroad this summer. The problem is I am heavily invested in HO Scale, and have some O Guage stuff… I really don’t feel like investing in G Scale locomotives and rolling stock. That’s what is holding me back.
I’ve seen Atlas O Guage nickel silver track is a common option and some people have had luck with O Guage outdoor railroads. Anyone here?
I have a TON of HO Scale Nickel Silver Bachmann EZ track and I’ve thought about doing that in the raised garden bed. But I do see the potential for issues with HO and being outdoors. A pine needle could probably derail an entire consist.
What is everyone’s thoughts/advice on this? Regardless of the route I go, I will never leave my trains outside. Only the track. Just something to run around when having guests over.
The track on my layout is a bit iffy currently so I sent my decauville 7 ton out with a few trucks to test the rails.
Please note the track is not perfect and I have ordered more track. We’re currently working with what we have
My friends seemed to like these pics so I decided to post them here
Here are a few clips of her running:
