N Gauge in the garden?

[Essex2Visuvesi]

Not sure if this should be here or in the N gauge section... please feel free to move it if needs be

I was thinking..... I have a KATO Shinkanssen Bullet train (the cool 1970s type) that I bought in a moment of madness. Sadly I dont have the room to run it properly indoors with the full rake of coaches.

Reading the information on here I had the thought... why not run it in the garden? I have about 80ft x 20ft to run a nice loop with a bridge accross the pond.

Peco Flexi track is Nickel silver so in theory should be ok for outdoor use.

Granted leaves on the line could be and issue but has anyone tried this before? or am I loosing the plot completely?


Its not actually my one but its exactly that same model although mine has an extra set of coaches... its just a shame I have nowhere to run it in its entirity

[Essex2Visuvesi]

Well I have a day off and Im bored..... Im off to the garden for some planning

[Sprintex]

Can't see why it'd be a problem, works with OO so why not N?

Just have a look at others threads that have done the garden railway thing (Tim "Infrontcat" is one that comes to mind), they've probably found most of the pitfalls already.


Paul

[Infrontcat]

Hi there

I've seen a few 'n' guage layouts in gardens before that worked really well. It's very much a case of keeping it simple. As long as you make sure you get power evenly distributed through out the rails you won't have a problem. Nickle-Silver track is fine outside as I have discovered for myself and If you are running a full-length Shinkansen, it should look pretty damn good

Cheers, feel free to drop us a line if you want an opinion on the feasibility of any ideas you come up with!

Tim

[Essex2Visuvesi]

Thanks for the words of wisdom there.

The basic plan is just a double loop... with a loooong bridge running accross the pond. Im thinking of maybe using crossovers to give interest to the layout, and avoid using points I might have a play with some points but I think they could be too much hassle.

To be honest with you all I really want is something with long straights and shallow curves to I can wind it up to 11 lol

[Essex2Visuvesi]

100 yards of concrete sleeper flexitrack ordered today :S should make for a nice test track 48" radius curves too
anyone want to help with the ballasting?

Im planning to lay the track onto a timber base.... Im thinking of 12mm marine ply heavily treated in cuprinol (left to soak in it for 48-72hours) then wrapped in roofing felt. this will then be screwed at 12" intervals to a concrete foundation.

Heres a cross section


Does anyone know if I will have any warping issues using this method? or suggest an alternative

Sprintex....I should have something to run your HST on with its full rake by the summer.

[Raider]

I used cheapo shuttering ply (18mm) in the garden with minimal supports, wrapped in felt (with a gap underneath) after treating with creosote substitute, and have had no major problems with it.

[Essex2Visuvesi]

thanks for the info. The reason I am using the cuprinol and the marine ply is that I already have them "in stock"

Another question.... what size expansion cap should i leave between track sections? (the tracks will be soldered together using wires to improve conductivity)

[Raider]

Depends when you lay the track really - if you lay them on a really hot day then don't worry about any expansion gaps.

[Essex2Visuvesi]

Im hoping to get the footings and the concrete laid over then next few weekends before the weather turns really cold and lay the track in the spring. I was thinking 1mm or should i go a little wider?

[allesclar]

i always wanted to get part of an extension into the garden but found it was too much work. aswell as it not being my garden good luck though im waiting for pictures

[Blaqkaudio009]

any updates? im not one for n too be honest, but the thought of that Shinkanssen running around a garden is something you dont see too often!

[Sprintex]

Should imagine it's a bit bluddy cold to be muckin' about in the garden now, saw two brass monkeys earlier crying their eyes out


Paul

[Essex2Visuvesi]

Should imagine it's a bit bluddy cold to be muckin' about in the garden now, saw two brass monkeys earlier crying their eyes out


Paul

Yep my mate the local welder had a queue of them outside his workshop all singing like Leo Sayer

The Garden track has been discarded as Im moving to Finland in the new year but rest assured I will be building a Garden layout, only it wont be 'N' Im going for something a little larger 'G' Scale

Look in the classified for a load of concrete flexi track in 'N' if you want some

[trains!]

Ooo G ambitious and pricy . Keep us posted, and what stock will you be buying?