What are the key features to have on a garden railway?

[MDLR]

I can back him up on the gravel.  I used it for both the lines I built. First time it worked well.  Second, not so well.

I use loose ballast, but the track (Brandbright / Tenmille with wooden sleepers) is battened and screwed down to a concrete sub-base - it ain't going ANYWHERE in a hurry!

[cjallenby]

Yes this may work well in some cases, but to clear leaves on the line requires alot of work and my dad likes to use the leaf blower! The ballast I once had did not last long and has never been back...

[mhlr]

I reckon the best way of simple "ballasting effect" that doesn't come off is coarse roofing felt, cut into strips then no-nails'ed onto the trackbed. That's what I did on my extension. Not quite as realistic or anything, but works and won't come off in a hurry.

[Adam R]

My Favorite Ballast is oil mud and gravel mixed when wet and daubled liberally upto the tops of the sleeper and even tops of the rails in places. if you get some cement- mix it with the gravel and wet it with the mist setting on a hosepipe its fairly resiliant- add some pva to combat winter weather... omit the oil on the main running lines- but where engines and even rolling stock sit there WILL be dripping oil. same as my landrover .

If you want some real industrial inspration- have a look at the late peter jones line Compton Down- it had a waterworks Mine Brick Kiln. and much much more- peter worked in little camero's each with its own purpose- he made most of his models from scraps and with very pleasing results. His models were designed to inspire rather than be rivet counter specials- and I guess this is what made it so good in its own right- personally- im a little bit of a rivet counter- but if you make something- its good! NO Fantastic. not many people can make things!!!

Let your imagination run riot!!! I do and ive no money and 3 half finished railways- but Im happy in the building- not the running!