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| Posted: Mon Jan 7th, 2013 04:45 am |
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1st Post |
jtrain
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My parents for my last Christmas before I go to college bought me a couple of pieces of G scale equipment. First was a track cleaning car by Aristo Craft. For those of you who own these track cleaning cars, how well these work and when do I need to change the pads? The manual told me how, but not when they needed changing.
My second piece of equipment is a new Bachmann 0-4-0 saddle tank locomotive that matches my old, first generation 0-4-0. An added plus is I can add this emoticons:   
I have a small garden railroad, but this spring/ early summer I need to tear down because the fall semester is coming right after a summer of 40 hour a week work.
In college I will obviously have little time to worry about trains (although a couple of nearby train shows are still in my sights) But I need a little advice about my latest project:
I feel like it's a good idea to let the trains run every once in a while just to keep the lubrication spread evenly, and to test the equipment for storage related problems.
So should I build a new layout indoors? If so, would a fold up switching layout, or a small circuit be best? I know most garden railroaders like to run trains around the layout, rather than spend hours in the sun switching out cars (at least I do), but I do like switching in an air conditioned environment. Therefore, I would be okay with a switching layout.
One more thing, I do not know how big, or where to put this layout. Of course, I need to find where before I can build, but a few suggestions here would be helpful. I do have 4" diameter curves and a few switches of the same type. I also run almost exclusively small rolling stock, so sharp curves won't bother me.
Thank you in advance.
-James W.
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James W.
New Blog (permanent this time)
blackhillsrr.blogspot.com
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| Posted: Mon Jan 7th, 2013 03:48 pm |
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2nd Post |
| Posted: Mon Jan 7th, 2013 09:39 pm |
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3rd Post |
SteveF
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| Joined: | Tue Sep 1st, 2009 |
| Location: | Deer Park, WA |
| Posts: | 61 |
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James,
The solution to your problem is to send it all to me. I promise to keep them well exercised, to keep the lube spread.
Seriously, the idea that Herb gave you is a good one.
You don't say where you are going to school, but my bet is that you will be able to find a Garden RR club close by. Joining one of them is a viable idea.
As to the track cleaning car, I have yet to change out the pad, and I have had mine for 10 years, and it still does what I ask of it. You might think of going to battery/RC.
Anyway, welcome, and good luck!
____________________
I have been through some terrible things in my life, some of which actually happened. Mark Twain.
Charter member, Branch Railroadian Fellowship, Fr. Fred, Prop.
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| Posted: Mon Jan 7th, 2013 11:43 pm |
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4th Post |
Dwayne
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Using Herbicide's foam suggestion, you could construct a small Inglenook switching puzzle. Perfect for the 0-4-0 shunting short four wheel cars indoors.
Steve's suggestion to join a club is great if you're able to locate one near you. Might give you a chance to acquire some bigger engines or even live steam to run on someone else's rails.
____________________
"If the women don't find you handsome they should at least find you handy".
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| Posted: Tue Jan 8th, 2013 12:06 am |
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5th Post |
jtrain
Registered
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Well, I'm feeling a little bold today, so I think I might go a little bit beyond an Inglenook. I do like what you suggested herb, and I think I might go with it. I've got plenty of extra foam to use out in the garage (I've been collecting that foam for a while, nobody in my family wants it.)
Under the bed sounds good, except that my bed in college is lofted, and my family is going to be using my old room for different purposes. This layout might need to be packaged a little tighter for a closet.
As for where I am going, I am going to Brookings, SD for Electrical Engineering. The closest Garden railroad club is the Minnesota Garden Railway Society. Not too bad of a drive, from Minneapolis to Brookings, but definitely a trip. Might have to limit myself to open houses and important meets.
Anyways, thank you for the responses, if anyone has an example, idea, or story to share about small layouts in G scale, I would appreciate it.
-James W.
____________________
James W.
New Blog (permanent this time)
blackhillsrr.blogspot.com
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