How to Build the Perfect Roadbed for you Garden Railroad

Exploring the Magnificent Alpine and Western Pacific Railroad: A Garden Railroad Wonderland.
Welcome aboard as we embark on a journey through the breathtaking Alpine and Western Pacific Railroad, nestled in the heart of Northern Nevada. In this captivating video, we unveil the secrets behind the creation of this awe-inspiring masterpiece, showcasing every aspect from the meticulous construction of roadbeds to the enchanting tunnels and viaducts that adorn its landscape.
Originally conceived in 1990, the Alpine and Western Pacific Railroad has evolved into one of the region's most expansive and visually stunning garden railroads. In 2000, it found its new home in Reno, Nevada, where it continues to captivate audiences with several thousand feet of meticulously laid track, adorned with dozens of tunnels, bridges, and mesmerizing water features.
Spanning the entire property and even weaving its way through the home itself, this remarkable railroad boasts intricately crafted buildings inspired by real locations from around the world. Divided into three distinct divisions - Alpine, Western Pacific, and Tahoe Junction - each section is powered by its own feed, controlled seamlessly with a state-of-the-art DCC system from Zimo.
The locomotives and rolling stock, predominantly LGB, traverse the track, comprised of nickel-plated brass track and rail clamps sourced from WWW.trainli.com, all elegantly supported by continuous concrete landscape curbing.
Come rain or shine, trains gracefully traverse the landscape year-round, barring heavy snowfall in the winter months. Beyond its visual splendor, the Alpine and Western Pacific Railroad serves as a hub for community engagement, hosting numerous open houses and charity events. Through these initiatives, the railroad has raised over half a million dollars for both local, regional and national charities, leaving a lasting impact far beyond its enchanting tracks.
Join us as we embark on an unforgettable journey through the Alpine and Western Pacific Railroad, where passion, craftsmanship, and philanthropy converge to create a truly magical experience for all who venture aboard. Subscribe now to discover more about this extraordinary marvel of engineering and creativity.

[@CanadianrailroadsCa]

Very informative. Thanks for sharing. Looks like an incredible layout.

[@alpinewesternpacificrailro627]

Thanks for watching!

[@darkknighte]

Hello/ Gruezi, Hawley, How can you lay this curb on a side slope, the machine is far to wide, with the wheels for a roadbed on a steep slope or narrow valley? Do you first build up the ground to the elevation you want, then compact the base, pour the roadbed, and then build the slope after it. So essentially much of the landscape is all created? I admire your courage of putting a double slip switch in the middle of a tunnel! one of the most derailment prone pieces of trackwork and it'll be hidden. I hope that works. I know these are excellent turnouts, but that is one area I wouldn't cover; also nice to see trains maneuver through that. I hope you'll give us an update on how that works. The view from up on the double 8 area is spectacular!! What an amazing thing to get to build a layout many of us dream about creating, with miles of track to follow trains along. I appreciate all the tips on ways to build portals and bridges, with the sheet tiles and back splashes, and also tips for things like drainage between the tracks, one of those things people don't think about until it's too late. Do the drains collect the water someplace, or pour into existing waterways you have? Good source for water for your plants. Thanks for sharing the updates on this amazing railway!

[@Jasper_Seven]

Congrats... on pretty much everything.

[@alpinewesternpacificrailro627]

Thank you for watching!

[@GaryLaneUilleann]

Cement is a great base. My 1/4” minus roadbed also required renewing annually. I staggered joints be 6-8” so rail joints were parallel only at switches. Prevents vertical and horizontal kinks and eliminated derailments. Very extensive layout you created. Well planned!

[@alpinewesternpacificrailro627]

Thank you for watching!

[@axeltillmann7757]

Very well made video

[@alpinewesternpacificrailro627]

Have gotten several emails from it.

[@GardenTrainsDave]

Fantastic. Great detail, and I enjoyed seeing the materials used. Could you show more about the switch and switch motors?

[@alpinewesternpacificrailro627]

Hi. There are a few videos on my channel about the MD DCC switch meters. Also some videos on the Trainli website and KZbin channel. If you have any questions, happy to call and discuss. Thanks for watching!!

[@rustyc521]

Awesome video! Nice work there and I love how you explain the process! Do you know if the Gary Raymond s mi scale flange wheelsets run good on your nickel coated brass track there? I change out all my LGB plastic wheel sets for Gary Raymonds wheel sets as I love the scale flanges as I’m not a big fan of the deep flanges and LGB wheels. My stuff runs well on LGB brass track, so I would assume that it would run OK on your nickel plated Brass track there. Just checking on that. Awesome work and please keep up the wonderful videos!

[@alpinewesternpacificrailro627]

Hi, thanks for watching. Those wheels should work. The rail is the same dimensions as the LGB track. Very important that you have a very smooth roadbed, nice cures and level, straight turnouts with the smaller flanges.

[@rustyc521]

@@alpinewesternpacificrailro627 yes, sir, you’re absolutely correct on switch is being level! Also, I had found out on the LGB switches I had to space out with a shim, the guard rails for the frog to proper NMRA standards! The scale flange wheels do like to pick frog points once in a while on the diverging side, if you do not shim the guard rail! again, I appreciate your info and your awesome videos!

[@user-vv4dl7ku5x]

Thanks for sharing this information. Very interesting video and great insight. Just incredible and thanks 😊

[@alpinewesternpacificrailro627]

Thanks for watching!@@user-vv4dl7ku5x

[@Mikey45013]

Who makes that double switch?

[@alpinewesternpacificrailro627]

Hi. Trainli can get them. Thanks for watching!

[@1344ch]

Your camera person should be fired. If you point at something, THE CAMERA SHOULD SHOW WHAT YOU ARE POINTING AT!!!

[@alpinewesternpacificrailro627]

Thanks for watching

[@Hiazhunter]

Agree 100%

[@alpinewesternpacificrailro627]

Hard to find good help no a days! It was her only day.