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

Hi Tim,

I’m thinking of starting a front yard set up that may come in over winters. Nothing elaborate though, just a simple loop for steaming- probably 60 ft or so.

If you decide to build a garden railway this might help.  I have built several garden railways and portable layouts, I find the most difficult part is deciding the type of track base and material to make it.  I assume as you hope to be able raise the track that it will be raised above ground if only a little.  The track bed I used in my garden consists of 20 mm (3/4") marine or exterior plywood which was painted and then covered with roofing felt.  It is laid loose being supported at points on strips of 6 mm (1/4") PVC pads to give a non absorbent support and create an air gap.  The track bed support in my case is either paving slabs around a circular planter and a length of wall and a couple of columns all being caped with paving slabs.  Usually the track bed on these stays down but if it is removed the garden still looks OK. It is usually only the track bed fitted with legs or bridging the path that is lifted during Winter.  A couple of photographs taken during construction.

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Take care.

Tony.