Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines

Four years ago I built a little garden railway ........at ground level. It worked okay the first year, not so good the second, and fell into long periods of disuse after that. The track got frost heaved, covered in leaves and branches, and worst of all, stepped on. I've finally decided to elevate it to about thirty inches but am using a somewhat unconventional design as I didn't feel it would be right to encumber my wife and/or heirs with pipes buried in concrete to remove after I'm gone. This will be a rather long project so updates will only come once a week or so but it might serve as a warning to others of what not to do. The picture is of the entrance bridge structure base.

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

Mine is small potatoes compared to yours Benny - I might have given something like that a shot twenty years ago but not now. While I'm working on mine I'll be watching your progress at the same time 'cause I know it'll turn out special.

Mine is also small potatoes, but I'm so glad that I built it with elevated tracks. It's much more fun to see the trains pass by at eye level, which definitely outweighs any benefits of lineside structures and scenery (though I may eventually add a few buildings). It will have to be replaced/relocated if we move ahead with our eventual plan to add an extension to the house. I've been informed by an expert on construction that it will take 5 min (if that) for the contractor to remove the posts set in concrete.

Ground level railways are no good for olduns Larry. Helen built ours on plastic shelves....Allan

Helen built ours on plastic shelves....Allan

Clever solution Helen! 

Mine is also small potatoes, but I'm so glad that I built it with elevated tracks. It's much more fun to see the trains pass by at eye level, which definitely outweighs any benefits of lineside structures and scenery (though I may eventually add a few buildings). It will have to be replaced/relocated if we move ahead with our eventual plan to add an extension to the house. I've been informed by an expert on construction that it will take 5 min (if that) for the contractor to remove the posts set in concrete.

Luckily I built the sunroom onto the house before I built the original layout - gave me something to do for a few months when I first retired.

Always enjoyed seeing your Regners running on your layout - thought it showed lots of character and charm.

Thanks Larry..      Allan.

very much looking forward to following this thread along with you Larry...thanks for including us in the journey.