The original Daisy Beach Railway in G-scale (photo circa 2002)
Garden Railways – For the Uninitiated
Typically…
Description
A Garden Railway places model trains, buildings, and figures in a landscaped outdoor setting where real earth, rocks, water, and plants work with the models to create a miniature interpretation of a full-size railway.
The Garden
Garden railroaders use plants that look "relatively" in proportion to the trains. Low-growing groundcovers stand in for grassy areas, while small-leafed shrubs and dwarf tree varieties imitate forests. Tiny creeks are rivers; rocks are boulders, etc.
Garden Size
The term “train set,” does not apply to garden railroads. Since track is purchased in individual sections, no two layouts are the same. However, they generally take up about as much room as a backyard pool.
Trains & Sundry
The trains are electrically powered, like the indoor varieties they resemble, but they’re about three times the size -- though not big enough to ride on; that’s something else. The locomotives, cars, buildings, people, and track are bought fully assembled, painted, and ready to use, from specialized hobby stores. They are designed to withstand the ravages of nature, with minimal maintenance. The average garden railroader is constantly on the lookout for toy cars and trucks, birdhouses, plastic animals, Christmas decorations, you name it -- anything that looks remotely the right size when placed trackside.
Kits and Plans
Buildings and rolling stock are available in kit form, for assembly using skills normally associated with arts and crafts. Some hobbyists painstakingly detail their equipment to realistically capture the weathered and abused appearance of the real thing. Others modify store-bought items to resemble equipment that cannot be bought off the shelf, and a few go so far as to build their own locomotives and cars from scratch, based on plans of the real thing.
Power
Garden trains get their power from a track-side “throttle” that passes electricity to the locomotive through the metal rails. Some hobbyists convert their locomotives to battery power with radio control. A small percentage include locomotives powered by steam, which is generated by burning fuel.
Scale...
Their reduction in size from real thing varies from 1/13th to 1/32nd scale, but for most garden trains, 24 real life inches are brought down to about one inch.
The Activity Itself
Garden railroaders spend most of their time outside, building, expanding, and nurturing their miniature world. When the "work" is done, they sit back, relax, and watch their trains go over, around, and through the landscape. The social aspect is surprisingly strong, as most find ways to connect with their peers, through clubs, magazines, the internet, or visits to other layouts. And it’s year-round. When the weather’s good, there's always landscaping to do; when it’s too hot or too cold (or just dark) there are models to fuss over.
Why Do It?
The gardening component provides fresh air and exercise, while modeling the layout is a way to express skill and creativity. So, there’s relaxation and accomplishment to be gained.
How Does This Web Site's Railroad Fit?
My garden railroad exists at the d.i.y. fringes. Most of my locos, and all my cars, buildings, and figures were made with my own hands, in a scale practiced by only a small number of modelers spread out around the world. I also spike my own track. Consequently, instead of a sprawling layout with a huge collection of minatures, I have a modest layout with a few select pieces. My philosophy is that the natural landscape should be the star.