How to Plan your railway for your Garden Railroad

An old pastime is becoming popular again. Garden Railroads are now entertaining the whole family. When you build an outdoors railway system in your special garden, it can take on a life of its own. But, before going out to buy your railroad, train, train set, tracks and plants, you must analyze your backyard, space and layout in order to buy the right products.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Research
• Shop around
• Pen and paper to take notes
• Car
• Internet Access
• Telephone
• Telephone book
• Measuring tape

1. Make sure your backyard is not too steep or hilly.
   -If the land in your yard is steep, it can affect the movement of the train.
   -If it is too steep, you can add some dirt to create embankments and place walls, as well as using bridgework and trestlework on large and deep areas.

2. Decide if you are going to use your own garden that is already there, or if you will design a garden as you put in the railway and railroad structure.
   -Whichever way you choose to do, make sure the garden design, plants you choose and the railroad you choose all complement each other and fit together into a coordinated and aesthetic look.
   -Research nurseries, Internet surf, read magazines and books, and talk with people in the railroad gardening area.
   -Join Internet clubs and forums on Railroad Gardening, and discuss it with other people who are more knowledgeable.

3. Check out the layout of the backyard, and remove any distractions or obstructions that will get in the way of the railway and garden.
   -Sidewalks can be cut and fixed, and then the railway placed across the opened area.
   -Walkways can be crossed with a lift-out or bridge.
   -Swimming pool can be a distraction, although the railway can be placed around the pool.
   -Add structures around such sidewalks, walkways, pools and other buildings.
   -Some Garden Railways are built indoors and outdoors. There are holes made in walls or garage doors, where the train goes through and then returns to its home into a garage for storage.

4. Consider the amount of work to put into the railway.
   -It is best to do as little as possible to keep it simple. Don’t over do it.
   -The traditional toy railroad has many tracks, engines and rolling stocks.
   -But, for outdoors, because such pieces can easily be damaged by the environment and weather conditions, one mainline with its railway is enough. It also includes stations, industries, branch line to a terminal, and certain stopping areas to make the railroad structure seem real or a miniature version of the real thing.
   -A good start is one locomotive and about four rolling stocks, whether freight or passenger cars, depending on the look or style that you want for your Railroad Garden.

5. Notice if your neighborhood is safe or not.
   -Is there vandalism problem in your area?
   -Does your neighborhood have lots of crime?
   -Create a high fence for privacy and safety against unwanted intruders.

6. Make sure all the pieces, such as trains, buildings and structures, are either placed inside when you are not home, or they should be built in the garden as permanent structures.
   -This is a precautionary step to protect your railway pieces from weather and environment conditions as well as from being stolen while you are not home.

[apalmer]

on 6/22/2009 Great article on putting a model railroad in your garden. A great idea, but like you said, make sure it is a safe place to have it outdoors.