Walt Steinle - 2023-10

 Background – I bought my first G scale Loco back in 2006, after having built an extensive Ho layout in my basement for 20+ years.   I started with a small 8 x 14’ oval but quickly started expanding it.   I had lots of issues with the track getting dirty and not conducting electricity to the loco reliably.  Because of that, I switched to battery operation with remote control.  My current layout circles my backyard and I can run three remote controlled locos at the same time.    

Some stats of my layout-

The main loop is 424 ft, (2.33 scale miles at 1:29 scale) containing four, 7 ft cedar bridges and a 3 ft one as well.  The west side of the loop contains 22 cement viaducts that replicate ones that cross the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia. There is a 6 ft tunnel that goes under my koi pond waterfall.  I have a reversing loop and a figure eight circling the koi pond.  All my turnouts are handmade.  There is over 700ft of track outside as well as 120 ft of basement storage track.  My trains run from the cellar track, up near the ceiling, out a window directly onto the outside layout.  I currently have 3 operational steam locos.  A bigboy 4-8-8-4, and two 4-6-2 Pacifics. I have 53 cars that can all be pulled using the three engines.  

 

2022-06 Lanterns from Alice

 

Photos from Father's Day Open House - Joe & Thora Fromel

 

Walter Steinle - Photos and Videos

My layout is exclusively battery powered. Most of my turnouts are hand made. 

Mainline is level to within 3” and 420 ft long. Minimum radius is 10’  but mostly 20’+. That’s to accommodate my Accucraft Big-boy loco. 

I also have two smaller loops around my koi pond with an 8’ trestle bridge and a tunnel creating a figure eight.  

I drive the trains from my cellar ceiling storage track, out the window onto the layout.  

 

Photos 

Videos

Along the layout

In the Snow

Donna and Larry Grady

 Chews Landing & Timber Creek RR  --

My wife Donna started my interest in Garden Railroading one Christmas with an LGB starter set, Lake George & Boulder 0-4-0, and after joining SJGRS and visiting the layouts of the members, work started one spring day with a 12x12’ square, a few buildings and a dry river bed.

 That worked for a while and then I got antsy and I tore it all down and started my second layout which ran across the backyard and under the porch, so to view the railroad, you had to step into it and the train ran around you.  All went well, until we had to remove some of the trees in our yard which entailed taking up the entire track which leads us to my third and current layout. This one runs lengthwise down the yard in an over-under figure 8 with two sidings.  I am working on softening the grade and possibly elevating the track keeping my knees happy too.

The CL & TC RR is a free lance RR with no time period in mind, track powered with gentle curves and a few turnouts. The plan is to keep it simple and to simply enjoy running trains with minimal effort.

WATCH THIS SPACE 

DUE TO SOME DAMAGE FROM  FALLING TREES, THEY ARE REDESIGNING AND REBUILDING THIS LAYOUT

Jim Holt

My railroad is called the Paul F. Price Memorial Railroad, named after my neighbors Dad who passed away a little over 2 years ago.  He got me interested in outdoor railroading.

How my railroad started was, I had a ‘G’ gauge Bachmann I bought many years ago for under the Christmas tree.  I used to run it there for years.  One day, while walking the dog around the block, I spied an Aristo Jack Daniels ‘G’ gauge sitting in the trash at somebody’s house that was moving.  I took it home with me and discovered it was a complete set, brass track, train, transformer, all in the original box.  It was only missing 2 curves.  I bought the curves and it ran beautifully. 

I got invited over to my neighbors 4^th of July party and met Mister Price and we talked that whole afternoon about setting up a train outdoors. So, now that I had 2 trains (1 that was free),  I thought I’d give it a shot.  Since my Bachmann had already been upgraded to brass track, I already had all the curves, so I bought enough straights to make a 40’ loop.  That was in 2017.  I was hooked.  Over the Winter of 2017 I decided to lengthen the track.  Now the track is an ‘L’ shaped affair of about 90’ and I’m in the process of buying more cars, sound and landscaping. 

I joined the SJGRRS to see other layouts and pick a few brains for suggestions on how to run my railroad and I can tell you that in the short time I’ve been a member, I’ve met some good people and learned a lot.  I still am having a few problems with the jargon and the pricing, but, for me there is not too much better than sitting in my backyard listening to my fountain, waterwheel,  wind chimes, and TRAIN!

I drive my wife a little nuts with my ramblings of what I want to do next, but I think she enjoys it too.  And it keeps me busy puttering on weekends.

Below is what my layout looked like in 2017 and what it looks like now.

The original layout, with the Bachmann

2017 layout, with the Aristo

2018 layout with the Bachmann

2019 - "Nappy Nook II" expansion built with items from Alice Irizarry and named in memory of Rudy Irizarry.

May, 2019 Open House

South Jersey Garden Railway Society

SPRING OPEN HOUSE

It was a great day for running trains outdoors! But as is generally the case, we did have some quirky moments as our trains exhibited a mind of their own.

We all worked diligently to keep the trains running. and it all worked out. 

Jim Lewis' grandson, Jackson spend the day running trains and showing off the railroad.

Jim Holt was pretty excited to show off the new improvements.  A roller coaster, a beach scene, a Ferris wheel and of course, the street lights.  I also gave out Engineers bandannas.  The kids loved the roller coaster and the fish in the pond.  Some even watched the train.  The adults seemed to like the bandannas.  Lots of pictures were taken and video too, but not by me, so I don’t have a lot of pictures.  The wife and I spent most of the time talking to friends.

The train, as always happens, had its share of derails and unhooking, but between the Aristo train and my Bachmann streetcar, I was able to make it through the day.  A few people asked about the club and some even took literature, so maybe we’ll see.  Nice to see other club members there too.  I’ve seen a lot of club layouts, but it was the first time members saw mine.

Al and Bobbie Schmidt had similar experiences as did Jim Lewis and Jim Holt.

Here are some photos from our layouts:

Jim Holt

Jim Lewis

Bobbie & Al Schmidt