JamesRGR

When you see people saying points don't work outside, just think of how many people think OO can't work outside

Sorry for the lack of updates, but me and my girlfriend might be moving soon, and I'm starting a new job next month too, so obviously I've decided there's not much point starting a garden railway only for it not to be finished/have to be taken apart again (easier said than done) a couple of months later!! James

I'm off to that show too with any luck too. Seeing all these updates reminds me, I must update my thread....

I'm going to have block sections all the way round, for computer control. I'm dithering about having signals in the station though... Go for it I'd say, then I won't make your mistakes when I start on mine

I might get some track laid sometime this year! Latest addition to the fleet is Anglia 86227 "Golden Jubilee" with working pan (although broken in transit ) and flag on both sides

I know that feeling, I have so much work to do, but have not even started yet and can't until other people do things (like sort out one of the sheds, so I can demolish it and build a new one in it's place.) - very frustrating on days like today when the weather is good and I'm home alone!

That's more what I'd have liked to do in my garden, but unfortunately it's not my house and not everyone else loves railways... Send me a PM if you want a second person for any of the work, I'm only up the road in Romford so it shouldn't be a problem coming down (riots depending!)

Hi Chris, Yes, I assumed that too. I think Hornby should extend this to all internal couplings on units, especially longer ones with power at one end only, would get rid of the unrealistic lengthening when stopping! James

Hi all, Unfortunately during the couple of weeks since my last post, very little progress has been made yet again. In the garden, areas have been marked out for track, but before any is laid, one shed needs the door moving and another needs to be demolished. On the rolling stock front more progress has been made though, the Hogwarts Express is now all put back together, DCC fitted and in traffic and a new addition to the fleet today was made in the form of ONE livery 156 416. This unit is very nice, and was obtained for a very good price via an old school friend working in Hobbycraft! I think the coupling method on this unit is much better than the standard type, but on first impressions seems more involved if you want to couple/uncouple frequently. For this reason, I will look into keeping this excellent design in the middle and on the cab ends installing the "classic" coupling interface, making it easier to join units/split units at stations. Photos on my blog, and the stock list page has been updated. Both these links are now in my signature. James Indeed, I live in Romford, Essex. Anything railway related that is not fixed down will be taken inside at night If either of you want a hand, or to borrow any stock feel free to give me a shout. I'll PM you my phone number.

Hi all, For the track base, I am intending to use Micks method, although the section by the conservatory is going to have to be at ground level. Compromise with the rest of the house and all that... Don't want to step over it to get into the garden... The shed I'm going to use will be in the position of the one nearest the conservatory and gate, but since that one is rotten it needs to be replaced. It would be nice to run it through both buildings, the one furthest away from the house is not mine, and is full of junk. Even if it did go through there I'd be too worried about someone putting something ontop of it/treating it like an extra shelf/something falling on it etc. The current plan is to have a siding coming off the loop and three track section into the shed, it would be nice to have it a part of the main railway, but I think the compromise is going to have to be to made again, this time with curves. Once in the shed the trains are going to run onto shelves that are "plugged in" to the railway, get unplugged and then put on shelf brackets for safe storage. Brilliant if your planning to have lots of stock that does not change formation often! And before anyone starts being pedantic, the existing shed at the end of the garden is going to have it's door moved to the side, because otherwise it would open onto the track

Hi all, It’s been a slow few days on the RGR, but some important developments have been made, so I thought it was time for the first public update! Firstly, the track plan has been finalized, and approved by the rest of the house. This is effectively a loop round the garden, mainly double track with a three track section near the sheds that can be used as either a loop to store stock in, whilst another train passes, or can be used as a test track on DC power. There is going to be a model village in one corner of the garden with a station, having a crossover at each end for locos to run around, and also a bay platform to add some operational interest. On the rolling stock front, I currently have two units, a NSE class 121 “bubble car”, and a class 117 in BR green. Both of these trains were stored for a number of years before coming into my ownership, and are in need of a good service before being used. I also have a Hogwarts Express train that is currently under repair, but nothing major. All these trains are in the process of being fitted with DCC. To control the layout, I will be using DCC, connected to a computer running JMRI (program subject to change), in turn connected to a router with a wifi network to connect two iPhones and an iPad to do the driving via the WiThrottle app. The forum won't let me post photos in this thread, because I am used to them being re-sized for blogs automatically, but some are http://romfordgardenrailway.wordpress.com/' rel="external nofollow">HERE. I'll post them on here tomorrow. Ta all, James

I will soon enough, but I'm currently writing up about my own garden railway James

Hi all, Sorry if this sounds a slightly stupid question, but I have seen lots of conflicting information online. Can JMRI actually "drive" trains? James