What Is Garden Railroading?
Garden railroading combines the intricate details of Model Railroads with the beauty of outdoor garden landscapes. It is a popular hobby that offers a unique blend of engineering, artistry, and nature, creating a truly immersive experience. This article will provide you will a comprehensive overview of the hobby. I’ll explain its historical roots and essential components, to design considerations and avenues for deeper involvement.
A Brief History of Garden Railroading
The concept of running miniature trains outdoors is not new. You can trace its origins to the dawn of rail transport itself. Early railway pioneers are thought to have built scaled-down models to help visualize and secure funding. These initial models were large and often powered by live steam, necessitating outdoor operation. Wealthy individuals would commission craftsmen to create these impressive replicas for personal pleasure in their estates.
By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, manufacturers like Märklin in Germany and Lionel in the United States began mass-producing tinplate toy trains. These models, initially clockwork-powered and later electric, were generally intended for indoor use. Enthusiasts sometimes took them outdoors into their gardens. In Britain, garden railroads using Gauge 1 tracks (1.75 inches or 45mm, nominally 1:32 scale) became popular in the early 1900s. However, this popularity waned, particularly in the U.S., by the end of World War II.
The modern resurgence of garden railroading is largely attributed to the German company Ernst Paul Lehmann. Lehmann introduced LGB (Lehmann Grossbahn, or “Big Train”) products in 1968. LGB trains were specifically designed for outdoor use. They featured durable, weatherproof plastic construction with encapsulated motors and gears to keep out dirt. LGB used existing Gauge 1 track but were built to a larger scale (1:22.5). This innovation created a new, popular standard often referred to simply as “G Scale” (for “Garden” scale). This made the hobby accessible to a wider audience, leading to a significant increase in popularity that continues today.
Common Scales, Gauges and Manufacturers
Scale & Gauge
Garden railroading use different scales and gauges and each are different from one another. Each are key considerations for hobbyists. Scale is the ratio of the model size to the real-life prototype. Track gauge is the distance between the rails (typically 45mm for G scale). G Scale (1:20.3 to 1:32) is the most popular scale, known for its ruggedness and large size. It’s a catch-all category with several common sub-scales running on 45mm track:
- 1:22.5: The original LGB scale, popular for narrow-gauge European prototypes.
- 1:29: Popularized by manufacturers like Aristo-Craft and USA Trains, representing standard gauge U.S. prototypes.
- 1:20.3 (“F” Scale): A scale for modeling 3-foot narrow gauge American trains, offering higher detail and size.
Popular manufacturers of G scale products:
- LGB: The original pioneer of modern garden railroading, offering a wide range of starter sets, locomotives, and rolling stock.
- Piko: A major German manufacturer with a growing line of solid and robust G scale products, including starter sets and accessories.
- USA Trains: An American company focused on highly detailed U.S. prototype models.
- Bachmann: Known for its “Big Hauler” starter sets, Bachmann has long served as an entry point for many hobbyists. Bachmann offers a limited variety of accessible large-scale options.
- Aristo-Craft: Though no longer in production, their products remain widely available in the used market and are compatible with other brands.
The Anatomy of a Modern Garden Railroad
Modern garden railroading are a miniature wonderland, combining rugged, large-scale models with the natural beauty of a living landscape. The following components work in concert to create a realistic and engaging experience.
Track Work
The track is the foundation of the railroad. Garden railroading typically uses brass, stainless steel, or aluminum track with UV-resistant plastic ties. Brass is the most common due to its conductivity and weather resistance. The large size of the track makes it durable and easy to handle during installation and maintenance. Turnouts (switches) and crossovers are also available, often featuring robust designs for outdoor conditions.
Electronics and Control Systems
While simple battery-powered, remote-controlled (RC) sets are available for beginners, more advanced setups utilize sophisticated electronics. Common varieties include the following:
- Analog Control: Traditional systems use a transformer to provide power to the track, with the voltage controlling the speed and direction of the train.
- Digital Command Control (DCC): This system sends a digital signal through the track, allowing for independent control of multiple locomotives on the same track. This also allows for independent control of sound, lighting, and other functions.
- Battery Power and RC/DCC: Many hobbyists prefer battery-powered locomotives, which eliminates the need to constantly clean the track for electrical pick-up. Control is managed via handheld remotes using radio frequencies or wireless DCC systems like the Revolution System.
Rolling Stock and Locomotives
Locomotives and freight/passenger cars are the stars of the show. G scale models are highly detailed and designed to withstand the elements. Locomotives often come equipped with realistic sound systems, smoke generators, and operating lights. Rolling stock ranges from freight cars (boxcars, flatcars, tankers) to passenger cars and cabooses, mirroring their full-sized counterparts.
Buildings and Structures
Structures add realism and a sense of place to garden railroading. These are often made from durable, UV-resistant plastics or weather-sealed wood, and designed to withstand sun and rain. Popular choices include train stations, freight depots, general stores, and small-town houses. Many hobbyists build their own structures from scratch, allowing for immense creativity and customization.
Landscaping and Other Features
This is where the “garden” aspect shines. The railway is integrated with plants, rocks, and water features to create a lush, miniature landscape. It can include the following:
- Plants: Miniature or slow-growing plants are used to create the illusion of full-sized trees and shrubs in the trains’ world. Ground cover, small conifers, and sedums are popular choices.
- Water Features: Ponds, streams, and waterfalls can add dynamic elements and a sense of tranquility to the layout.
- Scenery: Bridges, tunnels, retaining walls, figures, and other scenic elements enhance the realism and story of the railroad.
Building A Garden Railway
Building a garden railway requires careful planning and a balance between the railway and the gardening elements. The two main approaches are incorporating the railroad into existing landscaping or creating a dedicated purpose build landscape from scratch.
Incorporating into an Existing Landscape
Incorporating your railway into existing landscape is the first option. It involves fitting the track into established garden beds or pathways. It requires careful consideration of existing plantings and their growth and potential root interference. Trenches may need to be dug around established plants, and careful pruning or relocation might be necessary. Access for track laying and maintenance can be challenging. This method is most common and generally less expensive than building from scratch.
Creating Dedicated Purpose Built Landscaping
Option two provides a blank canvas, allowing the builder complete control over grading, drainage, plant selection and layout design. Creating landscaping from scratch requires planning. It may even require professional landscape design services and construction permits and install contractors. Considering potential permitting fees, material costs for new bedding, sub-base, retaining walls, and plants a large financial investment should be expected. The project could run into the tens of thousands dollars. However, it can lead to a landscaping masterpiece for the lifestyles of the rich and famous.
Crossing Over Into Other Interests & Hobbies
Garden railroading is a hobby that naturally bridges with numerous other interests, enriching the experience for enthusiasts. This can include:
- Gardening and Horticulture: This may be obvious, but many garden railroaders are avid gardeners. They select plants that are slow-growing or dwarf varieties. This is to maintain a sense of scale with their trains. The hobby often involves learning about plant care, soil types, and miniature landscaping techniques. The Garden Railways Magazine historically had a dedicated horticultural editor to support this crossover.
- Photography and Videography: The detailed models running through picturesque, living landscapes provide excellent subjects for photography and videography. Capturing the trains from different angles can be a fulfilling artistic pursuit.
- Railfanning: Many hobbyists are also railfans, people who enjoy observing full-sized trains. The garden railroad allows them to recreate scenes and trains they’ve seen in real life. You can read my article titled; Railfanning, An Introduction To The Hobby Of Trains for specific details.
- Engineering and Electronics: For those interested in mechanics and electronics, the hobby offers opportunities to get involved with other complex systems. You could use DCC for automated track switching and signal activation. If you like real life steam locomotives, you could migrate into live steam. You can read my article titled; Live Steam, An Introduction To The Hobby Of Trains for specific details.
Final Thoughts
Garden railroading is a rich, rewarding hobby that blends the best of model trains, gardening, and engineering. It allows you to create a beautiful, living, and dynamic miniature world right in your own backyard. For a newcomer, the best advice is simple, start small. A basic starter set and a small loop of track are all you need to begin your journey. Don’t be afraid to experiment with plants, track placement, and scenery. The hobby is incredibly flexible and provides ample opportunity for creativity and personal expression. As you build and run your trains among the flowers under the open sky, you’ll discover a unique magic that will bring joy for years to come.
