Rebuilding the Layout - Part 2 - 06-25-17

Blog & Photos By Mr. Bob

We have the top leg of track that runs to the garage window where the rail cars are stored.  The upper loop will circle the pond after it is dug out and the independent lower loop is for running longer trains that do not like climbing the grade.  I re-sloped the top and upper track to be less than 2%, while the lower loop will be less than 1%.  The double cross-over can have the two loops independent or open things up to have a giant loop.  I am 3/4 of the way done that bottom loop with a small berm and patio stones to lay left to do.  I still need to fine-tune the track slopes to fix spots where the posts have settled. The last picture is of our new purchase "Steamy Ray Vaughan". We were able to track down a live steam locomotive for the layout.  No bells, lights, whistles nor remote control on this one.  Once you build up steam and throw the lever forward it takes off.  Mary and I are more excited than ever to finish the first loop so we can let it run free.

Interested in purchasing your own Live Steam Engine?  See www.wgrr.ca   :)

Spring Pond in G-Scale Garden Train Land - 05-07-17

Spring Pond

With the change of the seasons from winter to spring, it has brought a lot of rain. The basement sump pump has caused the backyard to flood. The small depression behind the garage has become a temporary pond.  

Not letting an opportunity go to waste, I brought out the 'summer-bridge' and drove a train down to check out the water.  When things dry up, I'm hoping to start digging and build up some berms and create a real pond.

Winona Open House - Part 3 - G-Scale Garden Train Railway - August 27, 2016

Blog entry and photos by Bob

It is fantastic to go to an open house to talk to other operators.  Working on your own layout you sometimes become isolated and single minded with making decisions and solving problems.  Many times there is something not right on a layout and it is my responsibly to fix it.  After weathering our locomotives and railcars, it was enlightening to see how others have done the same task.  Just the opportunity to ask, 'How did you do that?' is so beneficial.  Also, to discover what layouts people have built in their backyards, garages or basements. To find out how they keep it all running with different power supplies and track clearing methods.  I love talking about weeds because it has been our biggest problem in the layout.  In conclusion, it is comforting to know one is not alone in taking on mother-nature for the sole purpose of watching a little train go around in a backyard.

Winona Open House - Part 2 - G-Scale Train - August 27, 2016

Blog Entry & Photos by Bob

When we arrived at the beginning of the day, there was one diesel locomotive travelling the upper loop.  Shortly after, there was three operators fighting for a spot with an additional electric steam just starting up the lower loop.  Being able to run your trains on another person's layout is one of the best feelings.  To see your locomotive challenging the grade or venturing across your friend's bridge gets your imagination reeling. The Winona Garden Railway's 40 Creek Bridge is over 20 feet long and 5 feet high and is exhilarating to run.  With previous open houses, I have loaded up my locomotives and pretended they had travelled through the night to a distant rail line.  Feeling proud as spectators snap pictures and take videos of my little trains.  But today, I still enjoyed being the one who was taking the pictures and complimenting their operators.

Train Bridge 2016 - in G-Scale Garden Train Land - 06-19-16

Blog Entry & Photos by Bob


With the hot summer weather setting in, it is getting more difficult to be moving rocks and digging dirt under the sun.  Slowly we are making progress moving the flowers and shrubs from the old layout into new flower gardens.  The hills and valleys are being levelled and when the weather cools down the old layout will be seeded with grass. I have finished the elevated track and retaining wall on one side of the layout.  I have moved the retaining stones in place but it will take a couple more weeks to get everything to grade and the track connected.

1st Visit of 2016 to WGRR.ca PART 2 - 06-04-16

Photos by Bob & Mary

Blog Entry by Mary
 

Here is PART 2 of our first trip of 2016 to Winona Garden Railway.  :)
What a wonderful layout!!!!   Enjoy!

PHOTO BY BOB

PHOTO BY MARY


PHOTO BY MARY


PHOTO BY MARY


PHOTO BY MARY


PHOTO BY MARY


PHOTO BY MARY


PHOTO BY MARY

Crossing & Bridges in G-Scale Train Garden Railway Land - 07-25-15

(Blog & Photo Entry by Bob)

SD70 #5575 has left the yard with a selection of cars heading north.  The empty car-carrier makes a banging sound as they move across the level crossing.  The long climb up the grade curves around to a raised line overlooking the town below.  The hopper cars blur past the trees and bushes lining the rails.  Breaking the clearing, the train passes over the sleepy village below. The old iron truss bridge carries the train across the skyline toward the hills before its decent into the valley below and along the river to reach the big city sometime in the evening.