• Plan Your Garden Train Route

• Discover Popular Garden Train Manufacturers

• Find Garden Trains on eBay

• Buy Garden Trains With Confidence

Plan Your Garden Train Route

Plan Your Garden Train Route

Before you buy garden trains, look at the space in your yard, consider where you want your track, and envision the type of train you want to run. You'll need trains, a track, power, and scenery.

For the most simplistic setups, look for a large-scale train, loop of track, and a level area in your yard. When designing your garden line, you may want to add stations, animals, people, a bridge, or other scenery. You can also build scenery, or even railroads, from scratch or combine or modify kits to create your own structures.

Starter garden train sets include an engine, cars, transformer, and track. AristoCraft offers a line of assembled model kits. Some kits are assembled with resin to make them more resistant to the elements.

Choose your trains

Choose trains that you find aesthetically pleasing. You can choose from old-fashioned steam engines, diesel trains, modern passenger trains, circus trains, and freight trains. Steam engines, such as Aster Hobbies’ 1:32 scale locomotives and 1:20.3 scale steam engines from Roundhouse Engineering Co. and Accucraft, are an option for nostalgic hobbyists. They run on denatured alcohol, butane gas, or coal.

Scale refers to the size of the model train as compared to the real thing. A locomotive of scale 1:22.5 is 22.5 times smaller than a life-size locomotive. You can write scale as either a ratio or a fraction. For example, 1:22.5 or .533”=1’0”. Garden trains range anywhere from 1:32 to 1:8 in scale. At the larger end, some 1 ½-inch scale trains are actually ride-on-top trains. Trains of similar scale often work together, though some use different couplers, presenting a challenge.

Keep your garden trains on track

A large garden is suitable for a main line with long sections of straight track and broad curves; a tighter space might call for a logging or mining railway with sharper turns. You might decide to start with a single loop or, if space is an issue, a straight section of track to run a train back and forth.

Gauge refers to the distance between rails. Models of a certain scale run on standard-gauge track unless otherwise mentioned; 1¾-inch gauge 1 track, for example, is standard gauge for G scale trains. In general, most trains don’t look realistic going around sharp turns. The larger the radius of your turns, the better.

Track is available with adjustable or fixed curved or straight track. If you are considering a permanent setup, look into flexible track. This way you can shape the track to your own space rather than having to follow the turns. Most track can be left outdoors; LGB track is usually made of brass, or even stainless steel, making it able to withstand the elements.

Power your garden trains

Many people run power through the track, and a transformer is sufficient for outdoor use. Unlike the other components in your set, it cannot be left outside. You can also run power through overhead wires. An alternative is battery power, sometimes combined with R/C, or radio control. You may be able to get an R/C system that is specifically made for the brand of train that you own.

Discover Popular Garden Train Manufacturers

Discover Popular Garden Train Manufacturers

Many companies make garden trains, including Accucraft, Marklin, USA Trains, and Lionel, but three companies stand out with a large selection of garden trains on eBay:

• L.G.B.: Large L.G.B. garden trains have details sturdy enough to withstand frequent handling. These G scale trains are designed for indoor or outdoor use, even in rain or snow. Originally modeled on European trains, L.G.B. also introduced numerous models of North American trains as the company grew in popularity. The size of these trains makes it easy to place them on the track, even for children.    

• Bachmann: Established in 1833, Bachmann is the second-largest maker of G scale trains. Bachmann makes high-quality models of North American trains from the past.   

• Aristo-Craft Trains: Aristo-Craft has an enormous selection of large-scale standard-gauge garden trains. Aristo-Craft makes both high-quality modern era and old-fashioned garden trains.

Find Garden Trains on eBay

Find Garden Trains on eBay

Once you know what type of garden train you want, go to the Toys & Hobbies portal, click Model RR, Trains, click G Scale, and start searching for items on eBay.

• Categories: The Categories list on the left side of each page will help you narrow down your listings by item type. You'll find links for Bachmann, Aristo-Craft, L.G.B., and more.   

• Keyword search: Search eBay listing titles for specific words. For example, if you want to find circus trains, type "circus train" (without quotation marks) into the Search box. Click "Search title and description" to expand your results. Visit eBay's Search Tips page for more tips on searching with keywords.

If you can't find exactly what you want, try shopping eBay Stores, tell the eBay Community what you want by creating a post on Want It Now, or save a search on My eBay and eBay will email you when a match becomes available.

Buy Garden Trains With Confidence

Buy Garden Trains With Confidence

Before making your purchase, make sure you know exactly what you're buying, research your seller, and understand how eBay and PayPal protect you.

Know your purchase

Carefully read the details in item listings.

• Figure delivery costs into your final price. If you spend a lot of money, make sure the seller will insure the item when it ships.

• If you want more information, ask by clicking the "Ask seller a question" link under the seller's profile.

• Always make sure to complete your transaction on eBay (with a bid, Buy It Now, or Best Offer). Transactions conducted outside of eBay are not covered by eBay protection programs.

• Never pay for your eBay item using instant cash wire transfer services through Western Union or MoneyGram. These payment methods are unsafe when paying someone you do not know.

Know your seller

Research your seller so you feel positive and secure about every transaction.

• What is the seller's Feedback rating? How many transactions have they completed? What percentage of positive responses do they have?

• What do buyers say in their Feedback? Did the seller receive praise?

• Most top eBay sellers operate like retail stores and have return policies. Do they offer a money-back guarantee? What are the terms and conditions?

Buyer protection

In the unlikely event that a problem arises during your transaction, eBay and PayPal are there for you.

• Pay safely with PayPal: PayPal enables you to pay without the seller ever seeing your bank account or credit card numbers. In fact, PayPal protects buyers 100% against unauthorized payments from their accounts. Plus, with PayPal Buyer Protection, your purchase can be covered up to $1,000.

• eBay Security & Resolution Center: Visit the Security & Resolution Center to learn how to protect your account and use eBay's quick and efficient resolution tools.