Family Garden Trains
Discussion Forums

A reader from the UK writes:
We are looking to build and run a small gage sit on train track around our 7 acre garden and woods,

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I have tried to keep track of companies that made trains big enough to ride on, but they tend to be independent craftsmen who try it for a while and realize they're not selling enough to pay their expenses.

These people seem to be in business as of this writing: http://www.lawntracks.com/locomotivechassis.html

They have an eBay store here, too. http://stores.ebay.com/LAWNTRACKS

These people seem to have some similar products available.

http://www.realtrains.com/Ride-On-Trains.html

7.5" gauge is popular among "live steamers" in the US. Apparently 7.25" gauge is more popular in Europe.

Shipping will be prohibitive, I suppose. . . .

I can't vouch for either of these companies, I'm afraid. The only companies I really knew well have gone out of business.

Hope this gives you some idea where to start.

Best of luck,

Paul Race
www.FamilyGardenTrains.com

Another reader writes:

I am looking for information re ride-on garden railroads. However it seems that yours is not for ride-on garden railroad. Am I correct ?

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Thank you for getting in touch. You are correct. The trains on the Family Garden Trains web site are NOT for riding on.

I tried having a page that listed a resources for backyard trains you could ride on, but the companies kept coming in and out of business.

The page is here, though it is woefully out of date:

https://www.familygardentrains.com/prim ... gbigtr.htm

In the U.S., many "Live Steam" operators build trains that run on rails that are 7.25" or 7.5" apart (about 18-19 centimeters). But these are custom-built, with locomotives that run on real steam, and many of them cost as much as an automobile.

Sorry I couldn't be more help. Have a great day!

Paul