How about bigger than G scale in the back yard, a new beginning

COOL! ENJOY your large "toy"!

Looks nice. What is the scale and track gauge?

Scale is 1 1/2 inch and the track gauge is 7.5 inches.   That is the most common gauge along with 1 inch scale trains.  If I had the $$, the gentleman that I got the signal from had a MTC G12 streamliner and loop of track that would have been perfect for my back yard, but the cost is more than our two pickup trucks cost us.   Maybe in the future I can afford that piece of my childhood memories.  

A bit more progress, to hot to work for very long outdoors.  I pulled up and relaid the landscape edge pavers, reset two path lights and wired them back into the circuit and pulled some weeds up along the deck that you cannot see in this pic.  Planning a board walk up to and across the future track, then up to a square rock or brick paver area around the fire pit.  I will fill in the new areas with river rock once I kill off the weeds and grass(mostly weeds).  Our front yard looks great, but the back has been neglected for several years.  There used to be a tree where the fire pit is, lightning got it a few years before we inherited the house.  So there are roots galore making setting brick walks down in the ground a real *****.  So I am thinking boardwalk to a river rock area around the fire pit.  I have a holly bush that will get relocated near the crossing signal once it cools down some, way to hot to be digging.     Mike the Aspie

Exactly!!!!

I was heavily into G when it became obvious that ride on really is price comparable. And after the track was laid would be easier to maintain than G track.

But a family illness put a hold on any outdoor railroading. I really like what you're doing. Please keep us up to date with your progress.

Bill

WOW! Nice loco and signal. That must have been one helluva bonus though!

The signal cost me $900, just that came out of my bonus check.  I will put some of that back when I get my full size crossing signal sold.  The little diesel we got a month ago. I will be making monthly payments on the loan to the bank for the next couple years.  Once you get past the cost of the engine track and couple cars, the rest is just upkeep.  Now if you want a live steamer or a big 6 axle road diesel, it can get quite salty.  I really want a MTC G12 streamliner, but those are very expensive to purchase, even in ratty condition.   If the signal was an original one from the late 40's or early 1950's it would have been much more expensive and also much heavier.  The reproduction is light enough that I can carry it around with one hand.  

My son has been after me for years to build a ride on railway.  I told him, when he moves to a larger house with a good sized yard, I'll be there with pic and shovel.  His son, my grandson has me building a treehouse right now, in our yard.  I don't think SWMBO would think kindly on more trains.

The "U-Ride-'Em" scales always looked like fun to me. Best of luck to 'ya!

Andre

artfull dodger posted:

The signal cost me $900, just that came out of my bonus check.  I will put some of that back when I get my full size crossing signal sold.  The little diesel we got a month ago. I will be making monthly payments on the loan to the bank for the next couple years.  Once you get past the cost of the engine track and couple cars, the rest is just upkeep.  Now if you want a live steamer or a big 6 axle road diesel, it can get quite salty.  I really want a MTC G12 streamliner, but those are very expensive to purchase, even in ratty condition.   If the signal was an original one from the late 40's or early 1950's it would have been much more expensive and also much heavier.  The reproduction is light enough that I can carry it around with one hand.  

Ya Mean Like Dis......

Yes like those.  They would need a custom trailer to haul them around.  I was trying to keep with something that can be man handled around without to much risk of injury and go around the really tight curve needed for me to have my own loop at home.   If i had the coin for one of those wide bodies, I would have came home with the other crossing signal and the G12 train set and loop of track that he still has for sale.  Right now I would be happy with a loop of the Lawntracks brand snap track so I could go play trains in my own yard. 

 Good looking engines btw.     Mike the Aspie

The "ride-on" scales usually require deep pockets plus machinist skills and related tooling! At 75, I am too old to even ride on these, let alone lay track or fabricate locos and rolling stock! LOL! I will stick with my indoor standard gauge and LGB, thank you! :-)

No deeper than playing with G scale in reality.  Track when priced by the foot is roughly the same as G scale.  I sold one of my G scale live steam locomotives at the steam up yesterday.  So, this week i will order my rail and ties to start building my little loop so I can enjoy my train.   

 

After a while in G scale you look around and see the number of acquired pieces you have purchased. Add the dollars you have spent on G and you could easily purchase a ride on engine, small oval of track and couple of cars.

Sure, you have less individual pieces but the dollars spent are about the same.

And I still say that ride on track is easier to maintain than G.

Bill

I have ordered my track, ties and other supplies from EP Plastics over in Kent, Ohio.  Gonna use thier Accutie with its built in tie plates, thier alum rail which they are prebending to my radius requirements.  I go pick it up a week from tomorrow.      Mike the Aspie

HI Mike, What about your 2 rail 0 scale layout.  How is that coming along?

I had a 1.6" scale Little Engines Pacific converted to Harriman "Light" complete with all brass Vanderbilt tender.  700#.  I could move it in my pickup.  I was happy to own it, and even happier to see it leave.  I now have two 1" scale 0-4-0s and a nice coal fired SP 0-6-0.  I'd rather fly than drive them.

The way I see it, unless you are exceptional, leisure time cannot be split between live steam and aviation.  Same with sailboats.  I would love to be a sailboat guy, or to be able to drive a live steamer once a year.  There is a skillset involved that I do not have.

Sharp little engine! Will it be hauling the firewood? A siding to the wood pile next ? ... Then one to the gate... Then another one to the driveway... And then around front... How far to the corner store ?

Benchwork is partially done Tom, I just bought a nice little AN NW2 that is gear driven instead of the delrin chains.  Nicely built but unpainted.  I am working on my AN F3, finished up the Monon paint work.  Need to stripe and then work on getting the custom decals made to finish that part up.  Then I need to find a motor and geared axles for it.  Thinking a "C" shaped switching layout with a "mainline" across the back on the long side of the "C" with the F3 and part of a passenger train in sight.  Debating what to paint the NW2 into.  one thought is the early black Monon scheme.  

As the rain is holding off this morning, some track construction has commenced outdoors.   Almost have 2 curved panels built.  Hoping to finish half the circle so i can set the position at this end of the loop.  The paver block walkway will be changed to a treated wood board walk and grade crossing, then ballest stone around the fire pit.  I will also adjust the paver block edging to more closely match the curve once its done.  Waiting on cordless batteries to recharge so I can start mounting more ties to the rail. I am using the pregauged plastic ties from Accutie, along with thier rail that they precurved for me.  The rail, ties, stainless lag bolts, tie bars and matching hardware(all stainless) was $540 bucks.  this will give me a 20' circle with up to a 10' straight on each side.  I wont know how long the straight sections will be till I build the south end of the loop as I park my boat up against the south fence.  So I need to leave enough room to back it in with our four wheeler or the garden tractor.