Frequently Asked Questions
The track: we have about 1,680 feet of track on the layout. The track is "permanent" meaning it is only removed when necessary for maintenance of the track/grade or tree trimming.
The buildings: The oldest buildings are made of wood. Unfortunately weather and insects have taken their toll. We tried plastic building but the heat of the sun has caused deformation and fading. We're in the process of adding new buildings made of steel.
The trains: The train engines and rolling stock are all privately owned. Individual members bring their trains to the layout to operate and at the end of the operating session, the trains are carefully packed up and taken home.
Train Control: Control of the individual trains is accomplished in five different ways.
- First, by manual control of a lever on a power transformer much like an early Lionel train transformer.
- Second, the power to the tracks (like above) is controlled remotely with a radio control handset.
- Third & Fourth, the power on the tracks is at a constant level and control of the train is by radio or digital signals (or both) sent to the engine.
- Fifth, the power can be "carried" on the train itself in the form of batteries and controlled by radio signals sent to the engine.
Why five methods? Each method above provides specific advantages to the operator and individual members choose what is best for their needs. We often have each control method being used at the same time on the layout.
> See: CONTROLS <
Cost: Most of the "cost" to create the GCRR has been manual labor, donated generously by the members to lay the track, wire up the electrical connections, deal with the track shifting due to heat/weather, and general maintenance of the layout. Hundreds of hours have been donated to create the GCRR Park you see today.
Train Costs : You can purchase a "starter set" consisting of an engine, two or three cars, a circle of track and a basic power supply for between $300 and $600. Individual locomotives run from $200 to well over a thousand dollars depending upon size, details and features. The higher priced engines often include smoke units, realistic sounds like an actual steam engine, more details on the engine itself, more remote control features including uncoupling and better motors/gears. You can buy a basic engine to start with and add a sound card for more realistic operation later.
A good reference would be a current copy of Garden RAILWAYS magazine available at Barnes & Noble and other bookstores.
The layout: Construction started in late 2003 and the layout has grown many times over the first loop of track that was laid. The section on the right side was built first and provides 4 loops of track. The newer layout on the left side, provides two additional loops of track one of which is connected to the right side allowing trains to cross over the sidewalk.
Multiple trains on the same track: We can easily run 6 trains, each on an independent section of track (block). We really like to run multiple trains on the SAME track (block) whenever we can. This requires each train & operator to have compatible power controls so that the trains can be independently operated.
The overall project: No one person could build/operate a Railroad Park as you see at the GCRR Park... it takes many people with different skills and abilities, working together to make the ideas become a reality.
Questions: We love questions. Feel free to ask any GCRR Member anything that comes to mind. If you think of a question after you leave the Railroad Park, use the Guest Book to submit a question.