The amount of space needed for a G scale train can vary, but you can pretty bet that you'll need at least enough space for the train, the scenery, the track, and extra space around it so you don't completely crowd the display. It does no good to create a display quality train and then have parts of it that aren't visible.
Planning a track layout for a G Scale train is no different from that of any other scale except you have to plan for outdoor conditions since it will be used outside. It will be subjected to potentially harsh conditions including water, dirt, leaves, animals, and precipitation. Since you'll have more track to cover with power, you'll need a larger power source and plan your power grid better.
Because of high power consumption, some are provided with supplementary power such as rechargeable batteries (similar to those used in radio-controlled cars) or even lead-acid batteries (or car batteries). Other supplementary fuel sources include butane gas and coal.
The environment becomes easier when comparing a smaller scale train to a G scale; for plants and other vegetation, you could typically use trimmed smaller variants of the types you want. Other features can be used with more realism, such as lakes and streams whereas with a smaller scale you'd have to worry about getting keeping the scene absolutely dry. Water will harm just about any scale train, but the larger it is the more resistance it will have to the elements.
Since the scale is larger, other advantages would be using more sturdy wood and materials to make buildings and other structures necessary for the scene. An actually railway train wouldn't get stuck inside a tunnel without options, but when you bring it down to scale it is possible to create a situation where your train could get permanently stuck if you don't plan ahead. Make sure any tunnel or covered structure you create where you train will travel is accessible enough to get the train or potential wild inhabitants out of the way.
An example of a G scale train is the famous Bekonscot Model Village. It was designed and built in the 1920s by Roland Callingham as entertainment for him and his house staff. But, with all great structures it was soon discovered by the public and then became a local attraction. Since then, it has grown and evolved from a train in a large backyard garden to a scene incorporating almost two acres of land.
Certainly one of the most complex scenes around, it contains many elements such as castles, mines, piers, ports, and windmills - all set within a total of six fictional villages. This railway is an example of how elaborate a scene can get and that your imagination is your only limit.
About this Author
Denis Gardner discusses G scale model trains and enjoys helping others get started in the amazing, fun-filled hobby. His newest book, " The Ultimate Guide to Model Trains ", teaches hobbyists everything they need to know about model trains including setup, scale, layouts, benchwork, scenery and more.
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