Layouts
An English Garden Railroad - Part 2
Sep 1, 2010
By David Howarth |
Author
Bio
In this two part article David Howarth introduces us to his Garden Railroad located in Sale, Cheshire, England. David started out in garden railroading after winning some Aristocraft items in Las Vegas. Thank goodness it didn't stay in Vegas. Come see how this English backyard was transformed.
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Wooden Cabin Construction
Whilst on one of my trips to my vacation home in Florida, I spent some time visiting various "G" scale shops ( as you must do ), and one of my purchases was a model kit of a wood cabin, which, whilst being of a slightly larger scale than I wanted, nevertheless was a bargain, and so it was purchased. I was surprised how easy it was to put together, all bits fitted, and I was not left with a bag of bits left over after it was completed. I added two old model cars (again bought via American E-Bay, and a windmill, (purchased from a visit to 'St.Aubin Junction' in Las Vegas, the week before it closed (how lucky was that). I fitted the cabin with an internal light, and a 'Pola' external porch light, both operated on a 6 volt DC supply. To complete the project, I fitted a smoke generator in the chimney. Here are some shots of the finished cabin.
Station Taxi-rank
The Main line station is not yet completed, but as a side advantage to joining the 'G' scale fraternity, I got some model taxis as a Christmas present from my brother-in-law, (I normally get socks ), so I decided to construct a Taxi Rank and Car Park next to the station. Although the actual taxi models are not the correct size from a 'G' scale layout. Taking Rule 8 as my justification for doing it, I thought that despite most of my layout being designed to represent the States, the addition of a typical British Taxi Rank, would aid Anglo-American relations. The baseboard is made from some scrap wood I had in the garage, cut to shape, and then covered to appear like asphalt or tarmac, by covering it with a roll of "Flashband" (stuff used to cover joints in roofing felt ( $12.00GBP per 15 metre roll from B & Q ). The fencing "wiring" is made using jewellers wire, the sort of stuff used for stringing beads and necklaces, the car park markings from Electricians tape, and all the notices, courtesy of the Internet, toothpicks for the poles, and bits of Balsawood for the sign backing boards. Here are some photos of the rank. I fitted it with the same lighting poles I used for the various roads throughout the layout (more on them later).
Site Roadways, Lighting
I felt that a simple system of roads would enhance the layout, and so I constructed a basic road consisting of a main carriageway (with sidewalks - pavements to those of you like myself who hail from Blighty). I used plain sawn timber, doubled-up to provide the correct thickness that I desired, screwed and glued together, then covered with the "Flashbanding" I used on the Taxi Rank Car Park to represent the road surface. I then added strips of timber to each side, to represent the walkways. I sprayed these with a stone effect spray tin paint from 'Wilkinsons' The street lighting poles are via E-Bay (U.S.A. site) from a company called "Locomotive Joe" and which cost in the region of $11GBP each. They work off a 6 volt DC supply, and the bulbs are replaceable if they "blow". I was very pleased with the effect at night, and despite only being a 6 volt supply, they are quite bright. I think that these lights really give the roads an atmosphere. The Telegraph Poles (LGB) are courtesy of those folks at American E-Bay - think I paid $15USD for a dozen. The telephone wires are simple cotton. So, here are a few shots of the roads, taken during the day and evening.
Well that's how I've been spending the last two months. I'm sure that I have been fortunate in purchasing a lot of the "stuff" I used, in the States, and then either shipping it to the U.K. via the U.S.Postal service, or my own luggage. I doubt I could have found, or even afforded most of it in the U.K.
So, now my next project is connecting up four electric Aristocraft points (switches), and then waiting till "Aristo release their new Point Controller which works with the new "Revolution" handset. I understand that it's just finished field testing, and is now in production. I've returned to working on the main station buildings, and so far I've got one of the buildings completed, the main station building is still awaiting the fitting of a smoke generator (currently on order), but just completed are a bus shelter, a small "staff only" office on the platform, and a line side hut. The buildings are from kits supplied by "T&M Models" with one exception, the line side hut which is scratch built from card, coffee stirrers and other bits. Here are the buildings completed to date.
So now, it's back to bread and water, no luxuries, and the life of a hermit (retired), until I can save up for my next 'blitz' on the American 'G' scale stores.
Further Developments - May & June, 2010
Well, this hobby has really taken over a large part of my life and during the summer, there are lots to do in the good weather we were enjoying at the time. I decided to prepare for the winter months ahead, and the unpredictable British weather, by putting a roof over the entire layout. This was achieved by erecting a simple timber frame around the perimeter of the layout table, then covering it with light-weight plastic roofing panels, courtesy of a huge discount from my local 'B&Q' branch. I also added a paved walkway along one side and repeated this paved area, in the middle open area of the layout. No more squelching through mud. I added a removable side screen on one side of the table, which I can move if I need access to that side of the layout, it also makes viewing from this side much easier, yet provides some protection from the trainee England footballers next door. Here are some pictures of the completed construction.
Hot on the heels of this project, came the building of a Signal Box (using a kit from T&M Models, and assorted "innards" from 'Model Town', and 'Back2Bay6').I added interior lighting, a pot bellied stove that lights up, and a smoke generator in the basement section of the building. Final touches included an external paved area, fencing and a lamp post. I may still add some figures. Here are the photographs during construction, and the completed building.
I'm really into my stride now, so in-between watching World Cup matches, and running trains (yes, I even run trains from time to time), I moved onto adding a further section to the residential house building site - with the construction of a small concrete 'pad' to which I added various bits, including a site materials storage facility (PIKO Container), and several figures purchased at my local 'G Scale' meeting.
Here is a counter-clockwise spin around the layout. 
Well, that's it (for now anyway). My next project? That will be a Stock/Shunting Yard. The points/switches I ordered are due to arrive in a couple of days, so then it will be all systems GO. (And I still get to watch the final of the World Cup). Oh, I nearly forgot, I also did a super deal with 'St.Aubin Junction' while I was in Las Vegas. I purchased an Aristocraft C-16 Wood Burner, complete with 'Phoenix' sound and decoder, for an unbelievable price. I'm really going to miss those guys now the Las Vegas store has closed. Here's a 'piccie'
| English Gardfen Rilroad Part 2 |
| As I said last week, you have given me some great ideas. Now that our weather is cooling off, I will be able to start doing some work on my railroad. I have viewed all 11 pages of this email and think they are great. Thanks again, Paul |
| Paul R Newhouse - 09/01/2010 - 11:49 |
| Impressed by the next leg of your layout |
| Hello Again David, What wonderful additions you have added to this writing. I love all of the buildings, especially the Log Cabin, and the Bus Stop Shelter.. A question, is the Taxi Cab building the same as the Shelter? And who is T&M? Not familiar with that name of building makers, or suppliers? You really have a knack for this, it is just spectacular... Enjoyed the trip.. Where is your FL home? I wondered IF you would need a roof (or other protection) as I know your country is very rainy and most wood outdoors does not hold up in our state (FL), like your fences.. (I personally used the same roofing for a new porch) Makes the rain sound like it is coming into your house... Great light however!! Thanks again for sharing... Keep us informed of any new improvements.. Elaine |
| Elaine Haggenbottom - 09/02/2010 - 10:30 |
| English Garden Railroad Etc. |
| Hi Elaine and Paul. Good to hear that you enjoyed Part 2. Elaine - to answer your questions : The Taxi Cab building and the Bus Shelter are part of the large collection of easy build kits from T&M Models here in the UK. Their website is at www.tmmodels.net and is worth a visit, Mike & Tricia (the owners)are both nice people. I actually live in the U.K.,(and although the railroad is in my back yard, it does have a roof!) but my Florida holiday home is in Davenport, (Orlando),Central Florida. I will be there later this year for December to March, so if your local to Florida(or within a three hour flight, say on the West Coast which I am thinking of visiting) and have a garden railroad, I'd love to visit. |
| David Howarth - 09/04/2010 - 03:07 |
| Reply to David |
| Back again David, I DO live on the West Coast, but,unfortunately do not have a railroad any longer... However, we are part of the FGRS (www.fgrs.org)and there are several in the general Orlando area. Maybe you can even get to see some LSOL people in the close proximity like Phill Lowe, who lives in Longwood? I've only seen pictures of his layout, here on this site, but they are spectacular!! Check the website out above too. Elaine |
| Elaine Haggenbottom - 09/05/2010 - 15:12 |
| David |
| I live in Indian Harbour Beach from Nov 1st to May 1st. I would be glad to talk with you while I am down there. Another member lives in the same complex as I do and we do a lot of modeling down there in the winter. Neither of us has a railroad down there but we both do up north. Noel |
| Noel Widdifield - 09/05/2010 - 15:46 |
| My Garden Railroad - Local Contacts. |
| Noel & Elaine. Thanks for the info, I will certainly contact you when I am in Florida later in the year, and hopefully you will be able to point me towards some LSOL Members, and G Scale stores I can visit in the Florida area. Thanks for your help and advice. Dave H. |
| David Howarth - 09/14/2010 - 04:32 |
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