Model Railways
Making A Start
We've had indoor layouts for many years and often talked about having a garden railway and so in 2000 we decided that we should stop talking about it, and get stuck in. Not knowing the first thing about garden railways I stared to buy the Garden Rail Magazine and Chris bought me the book 'Steam In Your Garden'. I was already buying Railway Modeller but this was aimed more at indoor layouts, it was however very useful in finding suppliers.
I contacted various suppliers but found that Martin of Martin's Models was the most helpful and patient. He advised initially that we buy the LGB and Aristo Craft catalogues before going any further, this we did. He also advised us to buy Aristo Craft track and LGB points (switches).
Once the catalogues had arrived we spent some time discussing possible routes around the garden before coming to a decision. Track is no good without a loco and so we also agreed which ones to add to our shopping list, this sorted we faxed our order to Martin. We also ordered the Aristo Craft Train Engineer 2000 controller and a power supply.
The locos that we ordered were:
LGB 21212 Stainz
For its novelty value an: Aristo Craft 22700 Eggliner.
LGB 21152 Feldbahn & Tender
We had finally made that start so now it was just a case of waiting for delivery, unfortunately due to varying circumstances the delivery took much longer than we expected it to, but I must stress the circumstances were out of our suppliers hands.
Well we eventually had all the track and the locos and were ready to start laying the track, except the weather was so bad for quite a few weeks that we had to put it on hold. The delays lasted a couple of months and we wondered if we were ever going to get that garden railway up and running?
Believe it or not the garden had been cleared of weeds etc. in preparation for the laying of the track, but weeds don't respect delays in deliveries.
Most of thew track finally arrived and so we could finally get started.
The weeds cleared once again and Chris is setting out the track.
Moving swiftly on.
Having laid part of the track we gave it a trial run, 'oh no' our first crash, must check the track.
Sorted.
The track is progressing well now and a new tunnel portal has been moulded out of cement.
The first phase of the track laid, and the garden has been seeded.
Having started the garden railway at long last Chris decided that he would like to set up a website for it, and so Foxshaw Gardens Online was created.
To see further progress in the garden click the image.
or click one of these links
