How small is small?

[RoyP]

I have recently retired to Devon and I have a small very sloping garden, it is a series of shelves really about 6/7ft deep and 15ft across and I would like a 16mm NG railway.

A couple of questions:

1. Would 15ft x 6/7ft be to small and in-practical for any type of operation.
2. If ok what would be the best form of track bed, bearing in mind that i do have a very dodgy back and do not really fancy a lot of ground work/cement mixing.
3. Battery or steam.

Many thanks.
Roy.

[pauly]

Believe me mate when I say you can fit a grea garden railway in that garden, even better if you can work the slopes into it.

[Sir Clothem Cap]

you have plenty of room for a great garden railway. if you are a member of the 16mm association you get a fantastic booklet on track laying and all sorts of great advise.

          I run both live steam and battery and recommend a mix of both
then you have instant running when wanted and proper steam to enjoy when you have time.

  Track laying doesn't have to be hard my system is a small trench 8 inch wide and about 3 to 4 inch down lined with anti weed cloth (available at garden centres) filled with stones and wooden blocks every so often that the track is screwed to.

   I use peco sm32 track as it is flexible and can be placed easily This is the most useful 32mm track you can get as everything can run on it try and avoid the mainline looking track as the profile doesn't suit some deep flanged  engines or wagons. if you are thinking of the 45mm track then others will advise on the best type.

track laying video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDPkek015qM

[MDLR]

Take a look at:

http://www.eastmidlands.16mm.org.uk/wirks09.html

John Pearson's line is on the bottom terrace of a VERY steep garden.............

One good thing - if the garden's already terraced, you've hopefully got a "baseboard" at a reasonably handy working height - something a lot of people would give their eye teeth for!