G scale

Forum & Discussion groups

    ~ G Scale Central

    ~ G Scale Train Forum

    ~ Model Train Forum

    ~ My Large Scale

    ~ Steam in the Garden

Whether you are thinking of getting into the hobby for the first time, or you are a serious modeler looking for specific help, there are forums on-line which can answer all your questions.

Browse the categories and you may find your question already answered, or join a group and post your own request. If you have knowledge to share, helping others can also be very rewarding.

Below are a several sites to jump start your investigation...

How are G-gauge trains powered?

Old steam locomotive green and black World War generation isolated on white background. Vector Illustration

Locomotives can be either track powered by a variable DC power supply, or be battery powered. Many large scale modelers begin simply with track power, which can later be converted to battery power.

Due to the large size of the locomotives it is also possible for them to be powered with live steam. The latter are fired by butane or alcohol.

Remote Control: In a nutshell there is DCC (Digital Command & Control) and RC (radio control). RC can either control the engine directly with a receiver installed in the locomotive (or in a trailing car) or with a base receiver controlling the track power. There are advantages and disavantages to both types

Can you run live steam and track power at the same time?
Some live steam locomotives can be run at the same time as track powered engines, providing the wheels are insulated. As a general rule it's not something that is recommended for a beginner.

How do I become a Member?

Get started ...

We are always on the lookout for new members who will join our club to share our passion, and become active participants.

If you are currently into large scale trains, or just thinking about getting into this family hobby, consider joining us, for less than the cost of a lunch for two!

Enjoy the camaraderie of like-minded kids at heart. To learn more, click on the button below.

How do I sell my train stuff?

Can the GVGRC help me sell my train stuff ?

We are contacted occasionally by members, and by visitors outside the club, for advice on how to sell or dispose of complete train collections, or individual train items. Since members of the Greater Vancouver Garden Railway Club are primarliy into G-scale, that is where our knowledge lies, and where we may help.

To better determine how we can assist you:

~ We would need to know the basic area that you, or the equipment is in. (part of the BC lower mainland, White Rock, etc)

~ What is the scale/size of the train set?

~ Do you have a list and/or pictures of what you want to dispose of?

~ Do you have an idea of prices you want?

~ Condition of items: like new, in boxes, lightly used or well used.

~ Have you already attempted to list your items online, such as Marketplace, or eBay?

You can reach out to us on our 'Contact Us' web page here, and provide as much detail as possible.

Trains For Sale

How-to Articles

The following are a few helpful "How-to" articles, written by our members:

How to apply Water Slide decals

How to solder track connections

GP 38-2 Axle Replacement

Modifying Aristocraft's Hydrostatic Lubricators

Realistic rusty scrap gondola load

Layout Construction

A garden railroad can be as simple as an oval of track on the deck/patio or around a feature such as a pond or it can be as elaborate as a full back yard layout with multiple tracks and dozens of buildings and bridges. Remember there is ongoing maintenance on any outdoor layout just like the full scale railroads, so the bigger the layout the more maintenance that will be required in ballasting track, pulling weeds, trimming trees and keeping the track clean to name just a few.
 
There are many ways to build a garden railroad but most people start with either of two common methods:
 
Ground Level Roadbed:
The ground level railroad is built using a trench 5"wide by 3"to 5" deep, filling it with crushed gravel (which should be tamped into the trench), laying the track on top of this gravel layer and then finish ballasting by pouring and leveling a thin layer of finely crushed gravel between the ties.
 
Raised Roadbed:
The raised roadbed is constructed by surrounding an area with a wall of pressure treated wood, Allen Blocks, natural rock or any other material which will hold back the dirt. Height is an individual decision but 24" to 30" is common. Next fill the area with dirt and rock to create a landscape which might include a pond or stream. Laying the track then follows the same basic procedure as for the ground level roadbed technique. This technique is more work but is easier for running the railroad and for maintenance as you do not have to get down on your hands and knees to work.
 
Most of the larger manufacturers produce their own brand of track. The most popular is track made of brass but it is also available in nickel silver as well as oxidation-resistant stainless steel, though the later two metals are more expensive. Track can also be obtained in less expensive aluminum. It can be purchased in pre cut lengths and curves (snap track) or as flex track where the modeler bends the track to their preferred design. Track also comes in various sizes or codes with code 332 (heavier and more damage resistant) and code 250 (lighter but more protypical) being the most popular. All brands can remain outside in all weathers.
In designing your track plan, use the widest-radius curves your space will allow as wider curves will give your railway a much more plausible look. Space is always a problem, so do what you must; but tailor your rolling stock to your curves. Very long engines and cars just don't look right negotiating very tight curves. Also, when planning grades, try not to make them steeper than about 3 percent (3" rise over 100" horizontal travel). Steep grades are unrealistic, and they will severely limit your train length.

List of Model Railway Clubs

Wikipedia maintains a list of all model railway clubs worldwide, and is an excellent resource to locate clubs in your area, or just for general interest.

The site is comprehensive, and relieves this webmaster from trying to re-invent the wheel, and keep another asset up-to-date. Win-win.

So, do check it out ...

Read more on Wikipedia here

Live Steam ~ what is that all about?

Live Steam – Gather friends, while we inquire, into trains, propelled by fire.

Live steam - whether it’s trains, boats or machinery powered by steam - there is romance in the old way of doing things.  Of course nuclear powered ships are propelled by steam engines and the catapults that launch the aircraft off modern aircraft carriers are run by steam so, okay, maybe all things powered by steam are not the “old way of doing things”.
In our case we are mostly talking about locomotives run by steam.  Small-scale live steam railroading generally means operating locomotives that are models from 1/13.7 scale to 1/32 scale with boiling water to make steam.  Anyone can learn to run live steam trains.

There have been many incorrect assumptions made about small-scale live steam over the years.  An example of these are: you need to be a skilled machinist to enjoy the hobby; you must spend thousands of dollars on locomotives; you need to have acres of a back yard in order to build a layout, or you must be an old man to understand it all.

All wrong! While many locomotives you would see in the hobby from the 1950s to the 1990s were either scratch built or kit built, today there are several commercial companies that make ready to run engines which can be purchased.

Like in many hobbies there are high-end options and entry-level options.  An entry level small scale live steam locomotive can be purchased for amounts of $400 - $700.  Also many garden railway clubs have a live steam track that can be used for members who do not have the space to have a home layout.  The Greater Vancouver Garden Railroad Club does.

Small-scale live steaming does take a degree of patience and commitment.  You must learn the skills to fire a locomotive correctly.  Fellow steamers who have been running live steam are the best teachers.  This is how I learned and am still learning.

So, get out there, burn some fingers, singe some eyebrows and most importantly, have fun.

Scale versus gauge...

G Scale is a scale for model railroads and because of its size and durability is most often used outdoors in the garden, although many modelers have indoor layouts. It is not uncommon for people to start out with a circle of track around the Christmas tree, the track eventually being moved to the garden for year round usage.

SCALE: Describes the size of a model compared to the real thing. For example, "G" scale (on average) is 1:29 (1 to 29; 1/29 of life size; you'd need 29 of an item strung end-to-end to be the same length as the real thing)

GAUGE: Refers to the distance between the rails.
The rails on life-sized track are 4' 8-1/2" (56.5") inches apart (measuring the inside edges). Narrow gauge track has the rails closer than that- 36", 24"; many variations of narrow gauge exist.

Read more on Wikipedia here