Topic: Decisions, decisions

[MikeD]

Thanks, Ferd:

Here's an overall shot...there are about 1900 blocks in the wall so far.  We've got a landscaper coming out this week, and I'm supposed to get some "machine time" for a little grade work.  The whole thing goes faster if I don't have to dig the grade with a pick and shovel

Mike

[Ferd]

Hi MikeD
I am impressed by the half heywood scale and totally blown away by all the brick work wow. Looks great.  yy

[MikeD]

Hi Chris:

Here is a photo of three of my 18" wide by 36" long half-size Heywood cars hauling blocks and sand for the retaining wall that is alongside my track.  I build a little wall, then build a little track, and repeat 

Using 2-1/2" scale wheels, I could visit other 7-1/2" gauge lines, and still have a "real" railroad at home.

Best,

MikeD

[russ]

I am the owner of the 7 1/4" Romulus 0-4-0 quarry engine found in the gallery on some other threads in this forum.  It is a model of a 2 foot gauge prototype.  It is 3.5" to the foot.  I am 6 foot 3 inches tall and 230 pounds and ride very comfortably sitting on the tended with my feet in the cab.  The Romuluis normally pulls a pair of four wheel cars which comortable hold two adults in each and a kid or two on the floor in between.  So, I am suggesting that it likely exceeds anyone's minimum needs.

Now there is nothing wrong with going with a larger gauge.  I crew a full size 0-4-0 steam engine as a volunteer at a local tourist operation and enjoy the larger size immensely but find driving my Romulus an equally great experience.   As you suggest, staying with 7 1/4" gauge also allows you to easily visit the many other tracks and get some really long runs in.  The Romulus and the passenger cars trailer easily behind even a smaller vehicle.

Russ in Oakville, Ontario, Canada

[stockers]

Whilst not all purchases chains for houses work out I am hopeful that our attempts to secure a renovated barn, 1/2 acre garden and attached 1 acre paddock stand a good chance.

So, in a few weeks time I want to have got my head around which of the multitude of gauges would best fit. Thus any thoughts based around the following would be very welcome.


1. I want to create an estate type railway. i.e. Something that runs 'real', albeit small, locos rather than 1/2 scale or smaller fascimiles of something else

2. I like i.c. The mini Lister, see here

http://groups.msn.com/MiniatureRailways


looks like a great starting point.


BUT (and here is the BIG question). Should I go 7 1/4" (small but compatible with lots of model engineering groups) or 10 1/4" or even 12 1/4", either of which is going to be more stable and give more realistic rolling stock.

Perhaps even 2' is not utterly out of the question for a home brew affair or a lolloping Ruston/Simplex/real Lister, the sort of thing once seen in Brian Clarke's back garden, one of several pics here

http://www.dudleys-photos.co.uk/p34583482.html


Over to you...

best


Chris

(PS I may not be able to check replies for a couple of weeks - Greece beckons early tomorrow a.m. )