Construction of a G Scale Garden Railroad
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- Опубліковано 19 бер 2021
- This is a video that documents a 33 month constuction period, by one person, of an outdoor railroad. The building began in Feb. 2018. The design is loosely patterned after the Idaho Northern Branch of the Union Pacific RR in central Idaho. (Later, I named my UA-cam channel, "The Idaho Northern Garden Railroad".) I started with no G scale supplies. I had no experience other than I was an HO indoor modeler in the last century.
The first part was the design and construction of a removable bridge that would span the side yard lawn. If I could not design a bridge that I could easily take up and put down with the train not derailing, it would be the end of the project before it began....then I discovered SplitJaw rail clamps that saved the day. I purchased small quantities of used Aristocraft track, as needed from a local source, along with roadbed supplies mostly from Home Depot. I also made multiple small purchases of authentic narrow gauge railroad ties from a local nursery. Doing so spread out the cost over 2.5 years as this "passion" is not easy on the pocketbook. The last quarter of the video are scenes of three consists in the fall of 2020 after completion of phase one, that made my empire operational.
The latest video, that shows the layout as it is today in May, 2024 is titled, SCENES FROM THE G SCALE INGRR. Quite a lot has been added and changed from this original video. Enjoy both vids.
I’ve watched rail videos incessantly for years and this is without a doubt the best “how I got into model railroading” story ever… bar none. I salute your wife sir for letting you satisfy the desire once infected; for as we know- will never let us go! I’ve subscribed, looking forward to the continuing saga.
Actually, I didn't ask her. She said don't remove any bushes at about the time I finished the removable bridge that spans the lawn. I "embellished" the rest of the listed commandments. I had been in HO RR'ing during high school & college. That waned a few years after graduation. I discovered RC & full steam sound around 2015 when I retired. That ignited my passion again, especially after my wife puchased that Eztec Xmas train at Home Depot.
""wife letting him"" what an absurd idea!!
I love your story! And your wife has no room for complaint, she triggered this adventure! I wish I was your neighbor, though. I'd be helping you build the components. Your bridge is wonderful, but you need more buildings and some cars and trucks, a village, a fire station, police car, people, a church or temple, fire trucks... I hope you have a blast expanding the layout.
Thanks for the glowing remarks. I've added 13 more RR videos since. This video, my first one, was uploaded on March 21, 2021. I've made five additional videos on this garden RR since then. Each of these videos show additional features. The layout has already been expanded. My last video, uploaded last September, is titled "G Scale Scenes for the INGRR". This video shows how my layout is today. My channel is titled, Idaho Northern Garden Railroad" if you wish to see all 14 of them. I wish you live next door to me too.
Fantastic job. Really enjoyed the video. Great camera angles and just a superb set up . Thanks and best wishes from North West England.
Thank you very much!
The yard looks ok. There is good news. This is big news. That loco and passenger setup is really nice.
Very cool!! I guess the wife didn't set a dollar limit, LOL
This is the most brilliant garden railway video for a long time.
I just started construction w/o discussion. Then she realized what I was doing and got a bit pissed. No Viagra needed. The only rule, she laid out after I began, was don't remove foliage which I didn't obey as it turned out. (I hate rose bushes, no loss.) The other two rules were embellishments.
I'm honored you enjoyed my video to the extent that you described it as brilliant.
The biggest commandment should have been ‘thou shall not get married’😂😂😂
I love model trains and I enjoyed your video. Great layout y'all have done. And it's merry Christmas not x-mas just saying. Taking out the most important part.
Very Nice! Loved the video!
Loved this
Wonderful story! Wonderful video! Wonderful wife!!
Wow great job
I just finished watching your video, amazing. I just posted my G scale ceiling layout to UA-cam and I thought it was pretty cool, but yours puts it to shame. ThomasJunction
Exelent! Great work
Flat Car loads are cool. In G Scale, I would carry liquids in the tank cars also. Magnetically augmented attachment lift off tank with contents worth drinking.
I love it! I thought it was going to be boring but you did a terrific job on the video in addition to building of beautiful railroad system. As one of the people who’ve actually seen this or part of it I can attest that it’s a work of art and a labor of love.
Glad you enjoyed it!
I watch model train vids a lot and this one is up there with the better ones.
Super cool. The sound on that engine is really good. Better than most ive heard on here
Great video. T
That is wonderful! Love model trains, and yours is an amazing project. Well done! Hope to see updates as things progress. (Fascinations/hobbies always progress!)
I uploaded one last Sat. on 844 that was taken in 2017. I plan an update in June.
Beautiful work mate. Giving me inspiration to build another garden layout here in Australia. Pulled mine apart 5 years ago when I moved and sold a lot of my stuff. I think its time to get back to it.
Cheers mate
Thanks for the compliment. It's fun to hear from someone who lives about as far away as one can get and still be on this planet. Since you plan to get back into RR'ing, I've uploaded a new video last night: "A G Scale Construction & 5 yr Evolution of a Garden Railroad". It gets into the specifics of my build with a major add-on. You might get a new idea or two. Check out my channel, "Idaho Northern Garden Railroad".
very very nice
Layout looks great, nice job!
Thanks, glad you liked it. I'm doing an update now. I'll post it around the EOM.
Great job, everybody wins. Who could give this a thumbs down?
Great layout. I will admit I was admiring your Mikado through a lot of it, the sound is amazing on that engine!
The sound card is a Tsunami v.1. Thanks for the compliment.
Beautiful outdoor layout Richard !
Glad you like it.
In the scene where the Eztec engine was pulling a tender and a combine car, it's like some kind of version of the Hooterville Cannonball
That's a great idea. All I need do is learn how to dub audio. I'll try in my update in June.
Robert: In the for what it’s worth department: I’ve painted and re-lettered the Eztec engine and tender to match the Hooterville Cannonball. Unfortunately, I cannot find a downloadable digital theme for Petticoat Junction. Additionally, I can’t dub audio with my video editor. So, I feel without the theme song the video would lose much of its impact as most won’t remember that TV series. I love the idea though.
Great layout and absolutely upgrading of your garden!
I know a lot of these discussions about track finding and plant removing....
Tank you for sharing this video - the continent is different but the situation is just similar!😉
Beautifully done! I'm in my late '60s now. My father was a executive officer with the Southern Pacific. Hard for me to love anything Union Pacific. But you have a great layout!!! I'll make an exception here.
Beautiful layout and I enjoyed the narration!
Thank you very much!
Just found your channel, great railroad - fantastic project. I'm going to follow along :) W
Awesome, thank you!
You have a very cool wife! Beautiful layout and impressive modifications to the railroad! ❤️❤️💎💎💎💎👍👍👍👍😎😎😎😎
Very nice video and result!
Very well done👍👍
wow,, wow,,wow!!
That's a great railroad sir. Well done.
Thank you very much!
Great video. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for watching!
awesome
great job man
I wear a T-shirt my Bride gave me for Christmas. It says, "Money can't buy happiness but it can buy TRAINS! (same thing) We have a 16' x 19' 2 track overhead layout that spans our living room. One track is mine mine the other is hers. Naturally, new cars are included in our Christmas lists to each other.
I'D bet your layout generates more comments from family & visiters than mine.
@@theidahonortherngardenrail522 perhaps and we appreciate everyone. Checkout my Facebook page under videos. I have a few posted of the layout.
Every inner hobbyist has an outward catalyst (excuse) to start! 😂
Looks really nice
Glad you liked it.
Beautiful layout
Thanks so much!
love the carrier
I like the sp coach baggage cars
engine house is awesome
Glad you enjoyed the engine house/carrier.
I love put in the country. I’d love to make a backyard railway. Too bad I can’t because my dad needs to able to use his tractor in the backyard.
Thank you for the video, absolutely great. I have been buying pieces for a couple years now. Just bought an LGB 23872 this weekend. More track to come and spring break ground
Awesome!
OK? I think it's excellent. And a very good instructional video.
Glad you enjoyed it.
That big black steam locomotive looks like the Spokane, Portland, and Seattle Railway (SP&S) 1938 Baldwin Locomotive Works (BLW) E-1 Class 4-8-4 Northern Type steam locomotive # 700 based at the Oregon Rail Heritage Center (ORHC) in Portland, Oregon.
The engine in my videos is a Mikado 2-8-2. The Mikado is a smaller engine than any FEF Northern.
Absolutely brilliant!
AWESOME !!
Thanks
Beautiful layout 👍👍
Love the Layout Great Job 👌👌
Glad you like it.
Train: Pitta patta Pitta patta pitta patta!
(Also hits tree and tips over)
Owner: SHIT!
27 dislikes! How rude...Wonder what those losers accomplished lately...Awesome job. Camera fail cracked me up...Looking forward to more...
I d fire Santa he only wants to work once a year. Very nicely done. Want to know how a rose bush was accidentally removed. As a landscaper I have never seen that
I accidentally forced the bush out, by the roots, with a shovel. It was a last minute decision well into the project. Unavoidable as s - - t happens. Therefore: an accident. As a landscaper, I'm sure you've incountered similar situations. There are always surprises (accidents) working in the yard.
Yup. That was definitely a four-letter word. :)
I’m a new subscriber
Thanks
@@theidahonortherngardenrail522 your welcome
You, Sir, are having maximum fun. What a lovely railroad you have built there. A true inspiration to the hobby.
PS: That Canon EOS is pretty bulletproof. I think the only thing tougher is the old Nikon F & F2.
That was a 2 foot fall. In a contest of glass vs. lava rock with edges, the rock will win every time. I still think I was lucky there was no damage to the lens or any body skuffs. (I'm still having fun. Watch my latest video "A G Scale Construction & 5 Year Evolution of a Garden Railroad", posted last January. It has the improvements over the last 3 years after this video was posted.)
4:20 How can you watch football while building DIY projects??? I'd have been like 8 beers deep like "C'MON!!! GET THE FIRST DOWN!!!! AW HOW DO YOU DROP THAT????!!!!"
Meanwhile, you're like Bob Ross.
"We're just gonna build a happy little train bridge right here. That'll make my grandsons happy when they see the christmas trains singing jingle bells....."
Whenever I'm in the kitchen, eating or bulding bridges, I've got to have the TV on. I only pay half attention. There's always five replays for every big play. Besides, I built the layout for me, not my grandson. He only shows mild interest in trains anyway.
(If there's an important football game on, Mtn West not NFL, I'll watch it on the big-ass TV, not that pewny TV in the kitchen...sometimes even with a beer!)
Yes but it’s your house(idk for sure), do whatever ya want.
where did you find your rolling stock & locomotives? Im starting up a G scale layout surrounding my house and it seems like there arent any good deals on locomotives anywhere
Welcome to G scale railroading. It's pricey. But then again, any hobby for adults is usually pricey. The best place for shopping is Ebay. Used engines are mostly overpriced, especially Aristocraft. Be careful, Aristo went out of business about 13 years ago. Parts for engines is a problem. But they do sell, so shop carefully. Browse a lot on Ebay and you'll figure out which are rips and good deals. The second place is model train expos and conventions, assuming you live in a moderate size city. The final place are the large dealers like Charles Ro and RLD Hobbies, to name a few. Both have webs & phone #s. I've found most dealers will spend time for Q&As with you. As time goes on, as you are building, you'll devolope good sources. Get to know other G scalers, if possible, in your area...pick their brains and they are known to sell something to you for a good price too.
@@theidahonortherngardenrail522 Thank you so much!
Hi. Could I ask if you did DC or DCC or some other control. I am a beginner. Please bear with me.
I use battery power with an Airwire throttle and receiver with Tsunami sound. I strongly recommend battery over electrified rail. It’s so much simpler building your layout. Have fun.
So how much money did this cost
Lionel are he best trains with transformers able to go pretty fast.
9:35 Luckily no one was hurt
8:01 [train chugging]
If I may ask, what did you use to build the bridge structures? Did you have to cut it down from lumber or were you able to buy manufactures pieces that small? Thanks! Your railroad looks fantastic.
Thre bridge that crosses the lawn is removable in the 3 sections. The bridge has to come up for lawn mowing. I used Spit-Jaw clamps on the ends. I used pressure treated 2x4s with aluminum L stock screwed in from the bottom on both sides. (You can see some of that in the video.) That prevents warping. I coated the top of the 2x4s with black caulking for water proofing. I built the walkway with 1/4 inch sqare stock from Home Depot (HD) and the walk boards & posts from a hobby store. The side detailing is styrene L strips.
The trestle is all various sizes of wood sqare stock from HD. Even the ties are 1/4 " wood sqare stock mounted with near to scale spikes. (That's what I'm doing in the still taken in the kitchen with an NFL game on TV in the background.) The design is totally prototypical. The rails are 332 code and the guard rails are 250 code. Only the wood for the fire barrels is from a hobby store. The bents are 5/8" sqare stock. The main bracing, that runs under the rails and ties is 1/4" x 1/2 inch x about 5 feet...HD.
All the wood on both bridges is varnished with dark walnut stain and spray coated twice for UV and water proofing. I applied multiple layers over two years as it did fade some to begin with. It looks pretty close to creosote. (spelling?) I store the bridges in a shed during the winter. I don't own a table saw...no room in the garage. I do use a large precision hand miter saw for a lot of the cutting.
@@theidahonortherngardenrail522 - that is a really detailed reply, thanks.
A trick I use to get really good quality wood (even Burmese Teak) very cheaply is to scavenge the builders recycling (scrap) yards for old (very old) window frames. I pick up a complete frame that looks all rotten for a couple of bucks and just below the surface is normally really nice good quality hardwood.
I'd say-- the next commandment--- " IF thou do not LIKE it-- ThOU CAN:ST LEAVE...
I would state this , " Probably not finished because of circumstances beyond out enjoyment of a hobby that is ever being modified . The Thou's , hum..., can be persuaded or bent a bit ? Looks like they where and nothing of plant stock ( including the dandilion at the first wreck , that dandilion just reached out and pulled that train over and laughed all about it's trap root . Also saying "That human is a funny strange man and his trains.I'll get you again my little pretty . You'll see .) was harmed during this edit presentation just a tweek here and there .
Cheers 11/25/2021
500 like
I was going to suggest an affordable loco upgrade from the EZTEK one, but you went right for the Mikado. Lol
My wife bought me a used EZTEK train, and I've upgraded to a Newqida Toys loco.
I've recently upgraded it to 2.4ghz control, and can't wait to put the Christmas tree up!
ua-cam.com/video/cAV34x5c30Q/v-deo.html
Looks Great - but lack of narration & human interaction was killing me. Let us see & hear the personalities behind the build!
I have no voice-over feature on my video editor. I also have no control of the text screens either, three seconds only...so each screen must have few words. The only way for me to narrate is to yap while shooting or get infront of the camera. Most people who get in front of the camera, on these RR videos on YT, employe ad-lib dialogue, that is, run-on & repeating. I'm afraid I'd do the same. You'll notice my other RR videos don't have nearly as many text screens. I did want to tell the story in the Construction video so I felt the massive short text screens was the only way to do that. (I am in two or three stills.)
I plan another update with a major addition later this year. I may not have any screens or, at most, a few screens, for what it's worth.