Backyard Railroading FAQ

 What is “Backyard Railroading”?

Backyard railroads are exactly that, railroads in the back yard. Not all model railroading is done in the basement. Many people choose to take their hobby outside. Some have a loop around the back garden or maybe around the house while others have literal miles of track on the ground.

What gauges / sizes of backyard railroads are there?

There is a lot! The smallest practical gauge is O gauge. This is more common in England and other places where back yards are small and cramped. The next, and probably most common, outdoor scale is G scale, which ranges from 1:22.5 scale to 1:32 scale. After that, there are several less common scales at 3, 4.5, and 5” between the rails. The most common larger scale is 7.25/7.5” (scales from 1:6-1:8). This is the size that is the predominant focus of Reading Car Company. There are also larger gauge trains that run from 15” gauge, 2’ gauge, and up.

Scale? Gauge? Huh?

So, these two terms get tossed around a lot, but they are very different. Scale refers to the size of the model in reference to the full sized thing. For instance, 1:8 scale means the model is 8X smaller than the real thing. This equates to 1.5” of model equaling 1’ of the real thing. Gauge refers to the distance between the rails. In 1:8 scale, the distance between the rails is either 7.25” or 7.5” depending on where you live.

7.25 vs 7.5? What’s the deal?

The worldwide standard for 1:8 scale is 7.25” gauge…. Except in most of the USA. The story goes that as the standards were being developed, 7.25 was mis-typed as 7.5 and that started it all. In the Northeast USA you’ll find predominantly 7.25. West of Harrisburg, PA and south of the Mason Dixon Line is all 7.5. There are some railroads that have developed a way to operate both with the gauge set at 7.5 or 7 9/16 and milling out the track switch parts to accommodate.

What types of locomotives are available?

There are several types and sizes of locomotives available. The most common is gas powered. These are available in very small “critters” that could easily be carried in the back of a SUV to large modern SD70s and everything in between. These locomotives usually have a hydraulic drive that acts as a transmission. Electric power is gaining popularity in the community also. With the advancement of battery and control systems, this is probably the fastest growing segment of the hobby. Locomotives can have features like regenerative braking (where the motors act as generators going downhill and add power back to the batteries) and full sound systems. Finally, there is live steam. Live steam works just like a real steam engine. These engines can run on coal, wood or propane.

Where do you store these big trains?

That depends on your situation. Some people store them in a garage or carbarn at home, some store them at a club track, some store them in a trailer dedicated to the trains.

What’s the best way to get started?

The best way to check out backyard railroading is to check out a club track that’s near you. Look on their website or Facebook page to see when they’re having a public run day or contact them to see about arranging a visit. Once you see what it’s all about, JOIN! Getting involved is the best (and least expensive) way to get immersed in the hobby. Once you decide it’s for you, that’s when to look at equipment. For a listing of clubs, CLICK HERE to check out the directory at DiscoverLiveSteam.com

What equipment should I buy?

That depends on what you want to do. Usually you’ll need a riding car (either a “T” car or a gondola) and a locomotive. “T” cars look like a short centerbeam car and can usually hold 2-3 adults. Gondolas are another common type of riding car. If you can’t use a club’s locomotive, you’ll also need one of those. There are several commercial builders of both steam and diesel style locomotives and prices range from $3,000 for a small 2 axle switcher type locomotive to $35,000+ for live steamers. Beyond that, the sky is the limit! The most commonly available cars are from the 60s and later, but both old style wood cars and modern cars are both out there too.

How do I find out more?

There are tons of great references out there on the internet to find out more about Backyard Railroading. Manufacturers, clubs, etc all have good info. There are also many Facebook pages like “My Backyard Railroad” and “Backyard Railroading” where you can ask more questions and see what is out there in this vast, fun world.