At the Open Days and through Social Media, I often get asked how to get started so I wanted to put this page together for curious individuals tempted by the hobby.
I started in with G Scale around the age of 8 when I received a starter set and track for Christmas. From that moment on, I was hooked. It is a hobby that has taught me so much – practical skills such as mechanical engineering and electronics but also creativity and problem-solving. With the support of my parents and grandparents, I built my first layout in the garden a couple of years later and was responsible for looking after the flowerbed around it.
The major manufacturer is LGB (Lehmann’s Gross Bahn or, in English, Lehmann’s Big Train) which is what makes up most of the HSBA Garden Railway. The main thing to be aware of is noone starts with a fully formed garden railway – it’s a hobby you can start small and grow with as you’re ready. Some remain as a family favourite around the Christmas tree with a small loop of track and others will begin to take up a bit more space – inside or out.
In terms of investment starter sets are ~£320 which give you everything you need to start playing. This includes a locomotive, two wagons, a circle of track and a powerpack (example to the right). For those looking to expand, the track packs provide excellent value to add more length and extra sides. Depending on the one you pick – these cost between £85 and £130 delivered to Jersey. I’ve included some links below to retails which ship to Jersey and remove the VAT. I also stock a small number of sets that I sell (at cost). I’m always happy to have a chat and talk you through any questions you may have on what to build.
The other question that comes up is how suited are they to kids? Although the higher-end models have more detail on them, the starter sets are very much designed to be played with. They have a rugged construction with hardy plastics which encourage kids of all ages to get involved. Over 25 years later and I still have locos, wagons and track from when I was a kid. The track voltage maxes out at around 20V which, an unpleasant sensation, isn’t going to do any damage to anyone touching it.
One of the great things about G-Scale is you can play with it inside or outside. As a kid, it would spend the summer outside in the garden with me – getting disassembled and put to the side when the grass needed mowing before being put back together in a different layout. When the weather got worse, it followed be back inside to the playroom and, at Christmas, around the tree and the sofa.
Retailers
Below I’ve included just some of the UK Retailers I use. I’ve highlighted the ones you’ll find most useful for getting started but if you’ve got any questions before ordering, feel free to contact me (via the Website, Facebook or Instagram).
Us – The HSBA Garden Railway
We stock the core range of starter items to get you moving into the Garden Railway hobby. Available on the island and dropped off straight to you.
Gaugemaster
Rails of Sheffield
