Picked the Spot!

2-26-00

Well since this is my first Garden Railway there is a lot to learn, a lot to do and a lot of decisions to be made. The first big decision is what part of the back yard is going to be the lucky piece of land.

A reality check and the dust in my wallet, said I should start with a 70 foot main loop in the area of the yard seen here.

Of coarse I had grand ideas of a vast empire that stretched through most of the back yard. A nice size empire about 100 feet by 180 feet! 18,000 square feet sounded good to me!!

Well, my wife did not quite see it that way. She said her flower beds, the pool and her greenhouse had to stay so, I had to re-think the plans a little.

So the pictures you see here are of the area that my vast empire is going to start in. This location next to the greenhouse and pool give us viewing areas from the pool deck and the brick area by the greenhouse.

I figured I am going to start with a main loop that will be about 70 feet long. This gives me plenty of room for a town and maybe a small spur that will be for mining. I believe I am going to raise the area by the trees for mining and possible a tunnel for the main loop.

Since this is the first of many Main Lines that I hope to have, this area will be here by known as:
the D C & H Railway. D C & H for Dewey, Cheatem and Howe. Don't be surprised to find the Three Stooges hanging out on this line. This is going to be fun!

There is lots to do and the 60 degree weather today really got me in the mood to start moving dirt. 60 degrees is pretty unusual for Michigan in February but I'll take it!

More photos will follow as I break ground and start on my first layout. My Ruby Live Steam engine is supposed to be here any day so I had better get started.

Thanks to all those who have provided me with feedback via e-mail and the LSOL forums!

Johnny F.