Garden Railway Forum

I’d enjoy it I think. Sounds very satisfying!
Does anyone have a good guide I could look over?

Issue with not using set track is I’m confined on space for the loops - and I didn’t want to risk messing up my first ever layout by getting the bends wrong!

Silly question but once the tracks are bent, they do stay bent? My track will be floating on ballast, you see.

"Silly question but once the tracks are bent, they do stay bent? My track will be floating on ballast, you see" .

They do if you use a rail-bender, and cut some of the webs between the sleepers.

I also find it 'better' to slightly over-bend the track, as it seems to 'relax', a little, back towards being straight.

My biggest problem, is seeming to get twist into the curves. - This lifts the outer rail (mostly) and we really do not want this. Track should be level across the formation.

Phil.P

ashover wrote: ↑Fri Apr 07, 2023 10:41 am Thanks Graeme - I’d certainly be open to learning. I do have a soldering iron at least!

The plans are in pdf format and print out on A4 paper which is taped together to get a template of the rails and the sleepers.
I sticky tape it onto a piece of ply and build directly over the template then tear the paper when finished.
I'll just need an email address to send them to.

Bear in mind that they are large (No5 in US speak)

Much appreciated - thanks Graeme. I sent you a private message.

Been a little slow lately but hoping to get the groundwork done in the next couple of weeks.

I thought looking for locos might motivate me- especially if I buy one and see it sat there!

The plan is to get an electric (diesel) logo as a kind of test-loco before investing in live steam.
OR, I considered getting a Mamod/MSS as the test loco.

Just a few questions:

Is the Mamod/MSS a bit unruly? I wanted a slow runner - whereas they look a bit wild?!

I'm assuming a more expensive Roundhouse or Accucraft loco is easier to run slower, and longer? I don't know much about them, but assume that they reach higher temps/pressures due to gas firing and possibly they're just more sophisticated?

Many thanks!

Aye, a battery loco would be much better than a Mamod/MSS. They're very much a tinkerer's loco, and take a lot of work to make them run properly.

Yes, I agree with Aaron, get a battery electric loco for starters/track testing - diesel/electric/steam outline makes no real difference, it's down to your own preferences. Mamod/MSS are relatively cheap but notoriously difficult to get to run well and are a hobby in themselves.

I'm all for battery power. As folk will know, I'm not a great fan of live steam. I have nothing against live steam as a concept but the way I run my railway demands slow running and a high level of controllability. For me, locos are the means to an end and not an end in themselves. So, a lot depends on how you want to run your railway.

My thoughts ( but others will have differing views):

Live Steam Locos

• Like the real thing
• Satisfying to run
• Quite expensive
• Takes a while to learn how to control them
• Relatively short run time between refuelling

Battery Locos

• Easy to run (switch on and go)
• One charge lasts for hours of run time
• Relatively cheap to get started
• Good for slow running and fine control
• You can easily make your own from kits or scratch
• Less realistic
• Some say they are less satisfying (but I don't)

Rik

Thanks everyone!

Gosh, you’re not wrong about Mamods being a hobby in of themselves! I think the loco would occupy far more time than the railway!

I’ll pick up a diesel for now from somewhere.

And regarding slow running with live steam - that’s achievable with Roundhouse, etc? It seems to be.

Whenever I Google things to do with live steam and slow running I run into Mamod/MSS owners trying to slow theirs down

ashover wrote: ↑Fri May 19, 2023 8:16 am And regarding slow running with live steam - that’s achievable with Roundhouse, etc? It seems to be.
Whenever I Google things to do with live steam and slow running I run into Mamod/MSS owners trying to slow theirs down

I'm probably not the best qualified to answer this question but from what I've seen and heard, the most reliable way to achieve controllability and slow running with a live steam loco is to install a Slomo device, which is, in two effect, a geared flywheel. There are a few impressive YouTube videos around showing Slomo equipped locos in action. Unfortunately, Terry has now ceased production of these devices so you might have to see if you can pick up a secondhand loco with one fitted.

Failing that, Zach on this forum has produced a Momentum Van based on a kids' toy which has the same effect. https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=9667 I can testify as to its effectiveness as he has run a couple of his locos on my railway with the van in tow.

Alternatively, I have seen first hand some really impressive slow running of unmodified live steam locos by accomplished operators. It does take a fair bit of experience to get all the variables perfected but I can see how it would generate a great sense of achievement to be able to control a live steam loco in such a way. From what I understand, some live steam locos are easier to control than others. I believe some Accucraft locos have a good reputation - but others with more knowledge can probably advise with specific examples of the most controllable out of the box live steamers.

Rik

Here's a couple of videos showing how it is possible to achieve slow running and control with live steam.







Rik

You can also tame a steam loco, by adding heavy stock to the train..

However, adhesion can then be a problem, and you have to have a delicate touch to avoid wheelspin of the loco.

I would seriously suggest you start with something battery powered.
The addition of radio control, adds much 'play' value.

There is a down-side to having a loco early in the building of your railway..
Once you get a few feet of track down, the amount of work (versus 'testing') tends to slow the work-rate down!


Phil.P

Phil.P wrote: ↑Fri May 19, 2023 11:22 am You can also tame a steam loco, by adding heavy stock to the train..

However, adhesion can then be a problem, and you have to have a delicate touch to avoid wheelspin of the loco.

I would seriously suggest you start with something battery powered.
The addition of radio control, adds much 'play' value.

There is a down-side to having a loco early in the building of your railway..
Once you get a few feet of track down, the amount of work (versus 'testing') tends to slow the work-rate down!


Phil.P

Haha - yes that’ll definitely be me!

Thanks so much Rik for the insights and the videos!

I enjoy when running my Roundhouse Katie to turn the gas down and run slowly. it extends the run time and feels more realistic. Running live steam you tend to be operating a steam loco on a railway using battery or tract power you can be operating a railway with electric locos.

Both are good options. Driving a full size locos is quite absorbing the same can be true of a small one. Running electric locos you can be more of a signalman/controller.

The choice is yours

Don

ps Taliesin is much more of a greyhound

Hello!

You might want to consider a Regner loco - easy to operate, relatively cheap, reliable, and capable of VERY slow running, on account of being geared. I've had my "Konrad" for over 15 years, and use it more often than any other loco.

I don't think they make the "Konrad" at the moment, but the "Vincent" seems to be available, a lovely (if rather quirky) looking loco, rather like the Aveling Porter engine that once ran on the Brill Tramway.

Looking forward to seeing what you opt for!

All the best,

Andrew.

Thanks Andrew and Don. I like the Regner idea. I may use a cheap diesel for now until the layout is complete.

From what I hear the Bellflower Cricket is a good powerful loco and unlike a Vincent not terribly slow. I'm totally new to garden RR-ing though so I don't have much advice to offer.