John: Sounds like a better actvity for Texas than Brooklyn!

I was just speculating on the lack of space in Brooklyn relative to Texas (where EVERYTHING is big!)

I have thought of getting some garder railroad stuff (I have plenty of space..1.5 acres), but have a fundamental problem with leaving things aout in the rain!

Quote: And - are there any other makers besides LGB and BACHMANN ?

Sure John, Märklin! Having seen the pictures of your layout, and your interest in details,
I don't think you will be satisfied at all with LGB.

Have a look around here: http://www.spur-1-freunde.de/bildergalerie.html

I hope to get the time soon, to write and picture some of the different track types in 1-gauge.

Per.

Hi John,
I have rather extensive experience with one gauge and here are some of my opinions:

1: LGB (or at least their German made stuff) makes some of the highest quality trains on the market today is not the best (and yes guys I regret to admit I include Marklin when I say that)While costly it is worth every penny and their US distributer is fantastic as far as pricing, stocking items, and delivery. Their track is also my favorite.

2: USA trains- These are American prototypes and a major bargain. While not quite as sturdy as LGB (or European built) they are better detailed and are very durable. I know many people who use solely USA trains equipment on LGB track for their layouts. I would avoid their track though as it is not the best system.

3: Aristo- Craft: While their rolling stock might suit your personal taste better (I know you like the old timers) their quality is good but not at a LGB or USA trains level. Their track system is great, I would use it if LGB didn't cover my particular layout needs

4: Bachman: This stuff is garbage, cannot hold up outdoors and is really just terrible, the epitome of Bachman's stereotype. I'd avoid it at any cost.

5: Marklin Great Stuff, think their HO Only Bigger. The only thing I would point out as a negative (and why I prefer LGB in this scale) is the high costs and that they design their trains for AC while everyone elses are DC. Yes the Marklin locos can run on DC but you can't really start with a Marklin setup. Track is also really expensive.

6: AccuCraft- They are another favorite of mine. They are brass (read: expensive) but they are dirt cheap compared to any other brass and are a really great company, both in product and service (local here in the bay area) Plus everything they do is usually available in live steam as well as electric!

I just wrote a lot more than I thought I would so I'll stop now but thats by .02 Euro!

Hi Guus: Sorry, no product there - just a logo ...

Nice PLAYMOBIL train, Guus - thanks for showing. Well, I guess when the Grandkids grow older
such most simple toys (the other end of the spectrum) will only draw dust in the attic.
But I'd take their surplus LGB stuff any day ...

John

I can just picture John sitting on the porch of the "J-B Rocking Rail" Ranch watching his LGB GG-1 with a string of Pullman cars running off into the Tejas sunset.

Very true, John. I am a dedicated HO buff, but always admire the big stuff when I'm in the train store. One of these days, maybe, I'll give into that temptation. My grandson is attracted to them also. Maybe I need to take him to more stores so he can say "Buy that, Pop-pop!" How could I resist?

Neat, John! Looks great. Should be a lot of fun. Horses for your ranch?

Hello John, have a look:

http://cgi.ebay.de/ARIST...0972QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

or here:

http://www.venturea.com/garden.htm

Per.

John,
I will have to get some pickies of my Brother-in-law's garden Set up.
Currently about 250 Metres of track and growing. He is focusing on LIVE Steam Lokos.

Leaves track out all year. Naturally.
I will post a link to some photos later.
Nev
Nev.

Wow very nice,Excellent ballast track,thanks for sharing the pictures.

Hi Neville,

That's really great [:p].
Thank you and your Brother in Law for the nice pictures.

Kind regards
Guus

Since the weather isn't really for laying track in the garden I'm planning to integrate an additional
G-Scale test ovale into my HO-layout, somehow ... it could sit at the bottom of the layout construction
(where "normal" people got their shadow station) Any complaints ? [:o)]

Hello friends. A few links I find good;

Prototype of Stainz:

http://www.burger.si/Muz...ive/ENGLokomotiva_K3.htm

My large scale:

http://www.mylargescale.com

German site, lots of detailed pictures:

http://www.spur-1-freund...in.de/bilderauswahl.html

Danish guy, with lots of 1-gauge Märklin in the garden:

http://www.hupfeldt.de/tunnel.htm

All-gauge page, lots of links:

http://www.thortrains.net

I hope you can use some of it.

Per.

Hello John, mixup was mine, it was LAPD, have a look:

http://www.officer.com/a...teSection=1&id=28638

Re: my collection: Yes, some of it, have a look:

https://www.marklin-user...ault.aspx?g=posts&t=3968

Per.

Well, a few days in thinking mode can bring up amazing results. There's not only fun with garden MRR -
but also a few disadvantages:

1) May be your trains are weather-proof - but becoming older are you still willing to be such, too ??

2) If permanently out in the garden this G-Scale stuff will draw ALL kinds of dirt on a regular basis -
are you willing to clean those looong tracks on a regular basis, on your knees! ??
Surely, there are cleaning-cars (and even $$$ cleaning-locos) - but nothing beats cleaning your track by hand.

3) What about your lawn mower - are you really willing to LIFT that beast over the tracks, constantly ??

Something to think about BEFORE you buy all that stuff ... [8)]
So if you aren't the lucky owner of a Wintergarten perhaps a small "carpet-layout" is the best for outdoors ...

John

I confess - I deeply fell in love with that cute lil' steamer

Don't tell wife!

John: making an outdoor carpet layout is quite difficult, you must have
good support for your tracks, otherwise de-railings will occur.
An other thing not mentioned here, is the difference in the size of the flanges on the wheels.
LGB have larger flanges than Märklin ( and many others ), so LGB do not run on Märklin track,
and Märklin trains don't run well on LGB turnouts.
PECO has some tracks and turnouts, very nice, with life-long guarantee,
even when used outdoor. Their turnouts have a little plate, which you can take of, if you want to
drive LGB, and leave on if you run Märklin. PECO have only made 3 1-scale items, 90cm flexible
track, left turnout and right turnout. ( + small parts accessories ). Only negative thing for me is the
radius, 10 feet, a little too big for indoor in my house.


Per.

Hi all. I think we are close to a new record here: 1000 readers in one week! [:0][:0][:0]

That's what happens when JB decides to put a 4 wheel HULK on tracks

Per.

Hello John. Here's something for you and the other children:

http://www.maj.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=97998

http://www.maj.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=91153

http://www.maj.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=91589

Impressive gardenlayout:

http://www.maj.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=91148

http://www.maj.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=89440

It's about time to read your E-mail.

Per.