copyright 2001 T. Sheil & A. Sheil All Rights Reserved

Small Garden Railway Layouts

Big Train Action in Less Space!

Even if you have a small garden, you can enjoy plenty of Garden Railway action. By using tighter track curves and shorter locomotives and cars, along with careful placement of plants and structures, your small railway will give you all the appeal and fun of big pikes.

All of the layouts pictures use a 4' diameter curve. If you have additional space, you can easily increase to 5' diameter curves.

Layout size: 5' by 7'
Great for running around a tree, large shrub, etc.
(16) AC #11100 4ft curve 2.50 40.00
( 1) AC #11215 lefthand remote turnout 35.95 35.95
( 1) AC #11205 righthand remote turnout 35.95 35.95
( 2) AC #11000 12in straight 2.50 5.00
Total of 20 pieces costing $116.90 of AristoCraft G-gauge track

Layout size: 5' by 8'
By adding a second arc, we vary the action. The center circle is 1 foot wider, due to a straight section between the switches.
(20) AC #11100 4ft curve 2.50 50.00
( 2) AC #11215 lefthand remote turnout 35.95 71.90
( 2) AC #11205 righthand remote turnout 35.95 71.90
( 2) AC #11000 12in straight 2.50 5.00
Total of 26 pieces costing $198.80 of AristoCraft G-gauge track

Layout size: 5' by 7'
Not enough room for a wider center circle? Even a tight circle works here.
(20) AC #11100 4ft curve 2.50 50.00
( 2) AC #11215 lefthand remote turnout 35.95 71.90
( 2) AC #11205 righthand remote turnout 35.95 71.90
Total of 24 pieces costing $193.80 of AristoCraft G-gauge track

Layout size: 5' by 10'
By extending the outer curves, you have more room for plants, shrubs, rocks and scenery.
(20) AC #11100 4ft curve 2.50 50.00
( 2) AC #11215 lefthand remote turnout 35.95 71.90
( 2) AC #11205 righthand remote turnout 35.95 71.90
( 6) AC #11000 12in straight 2.50 15.00
Total of 30 pieces costing $208.80 of AristoCraft G-gauge track

Layout Size: 5' by 9'
Again, we trimmed the center loop. Layout still affords great gardening and operating action.
(20) AC #11100 4ft curve 2.50 50.00
( 2) AC #11215 lefthand remote turnout 35.95 71.90
( 2) AC #11205 righthand remote turnout 35.95 71.90
( 4) AC #11000 12in straight 2.50 10.00
Total of 28 pieces costing $203.80 of AristoCraft G-gauge track

Layout size: 5' by 9'
Where you might have two shrubs, trees, etc., you can use this "Lazy loop" layout.
(20) AC #11100 4ft curve 2.50 50.00
( 2) AC #11215 lefthand remote turnout 35.95 71.90
( 2) AC #11205 righthand remote turnout 35.95 71.90
( 4) AC #11000 12in straight 2.50 10.00
Total of 28 pieces costing $203.80 of AristoCraft G-gauge track

Layout size: 10' by 10'
This is a corner layout. You can pack quite a garden inside the "L". Consider how a fish pond might look inside.
(12) AC #11000 12in straight 2.50 30.00
(18) AC #11100 4ft curve 2.50 45.00
( 4) AC #11001 6in straight 2.10 8.40
Total of 34 pieces costing $ 83.40 of AristoCraft G-gauge track

Layout size: 10' by 10'
Three rings inside the L would let you run three trains at once, unattended. This small corner layout brings you plenty of action in a tight space.
(33) AC #11100 4ft curve 2.50 82.50
( 4) AC #11001 6in straight 2.10 8.40
( 6) AC #11000 12in straight 2.50 15.00
( 3) AC #11215 lefthand remote turnout 35.95 107.85
( 3) AC #11205 righthand remote turnout 35.95 107.85
Total of 49 pieces costing $321.60 of AristoCraft G-gauge track

Layout size: 10' by 10'
Here's one tiny example of how such a layout can be effectively landscaped.
Note: in you would like to use 5 foot curves and need to know how much more space is required, here's a simple formula. Add 1 foot for each circle of track. Do this horizontally and vertically. The first layout has half a circle within the circle, so add 6 inches. The next five have one circle within the loop horizontally, making two circles. Extend horizontally two feet. Since it's only one circle vertically, add 1 vertical foot.
The last layouts are L shapes. They have two circles vertically, two horizontally. Thus, add two feet in each direction, making the entire layout 12' by 12'

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