Time to build a railway...but where?

Post by **ge_rik** » Sat May 09, 2015 12:19 pm

Another fine and well detailed model, Peter. Something I must look to producing shortly (though probably without the attention to detail which you achieve, I fear).

What do you use for the gravel between the ballasted tracks BTW? I've been trying to find something similar for my railway, so far without success.

Rik

Peter Butler · Post by **Peter Butler** » Sat May 09, 2015 1:11 pm

Hi Rik, thanks for the kind words, much appreciated!
For ballast I use horticultural grit from our local garden centre. Much of it is over scale so I use a sieve to sort out the smaller bits. It comes in large bags but is cheap enough, the rest is used in the garden anyway.

Peter Butler · Post by **Peter Butler** » Sat May 09, 2015 9:33 pm

Rik, I have just re-read your last message and apologise for my rather hurried response which did not answer your question.
The reply should have been.... the material between the ballasted tracks is made from chicken grit (which I think is actually crushed shell). I paint the baseboard with bitumen and sprinkle the grit onto it and let it set. Then a further application of grit with SBR slightly diluted and with a brown acrylic colour added to tone it down. A variation in colour is possible to add variety of ground effects.
I must admit it looks quite good and will no doubt gather moss etc as time goes by.

As for the coaling stage.....

The coal was stuck to bitumen as described above. No chance of any light colour showing through and completely waterproof.

Post by **ge_rik** » Sun May 10, 2015 6:04 am

Peter Butler:110726 wrote:Rik, I have just re-read your last message and apologise for my rather hurried response which did not answer your question.
The reply should have been.... the material between the ballasted tracks is made from chicken grit (which I think is actually crushed shell). I paint the baseboard with bitumen and sprinkle the grit onto it and let it set. Then a further application of grit with SBR slightly diluted and with a brown acrylic colour added to tone it down. A variation in colour is possible to add variety of ground effects.
I must admit it looks quite good and will no doubt gather moss etc as time goes by.

The coal was stuck to bitumen as described above. No chance of any light colour showing through and completely waterproof.

That's great, thanks. hadn't thought of chicken-grit. Must get a bag.

Really do like the coaling stage - I'll borrow that idea if that's OK - I was considering making mine from stripwood and lolly sticks but, as it will be left outside, I think a plasticard one will be more durable.

Is 'bitumen' the same as felt adhesive - that gloopy black stuff? I always seem to manage to coat my tools, my hands and myself with it whenever I use it. There must be a knack to keeping it under control which I've not yet mastered.

Rik

Peter Butler · Post by **Peter Butler** » Sun May 10, 2015 10:21 am

Bitumen is both gloopy and black but can be brushed on quite easily. I bought a 2.5ltr can from our local Charlies store but other hardware or DIY stores should stock it. Not an expensive item again but seems to work well.

Peter Butler · Post by **Peter Butler** » Mon May 11, 2015 11:08 pm

So, having built a coaling stage it suddenly dawned on me that this coal has to come from somewhere! I have been wondering what to do with an awkward space in the centre of the reversing triangle and have decided it will be a coal yard served by a roadway and level crossing.
I have experience of building coal storage now so embarked on a new building which will be the coal office. The storage part will follow when I see how much space is left.
This is my first scratch-built building which will be left outside so I have used Plasticard (what a surprise!). In my materials drawer I have a number of sheets of moulded stonework which I think is really 7mm scale but looks just right. These are stuck to a sub-frame of Plasticard with quoins at each corner. The windows were also stock items so they dictated the size of the structure.

The roof is also Plasicard made of strips which are scribed with a Stanley blade to give the impression of slates, then stuck on overlapping each other.

Barge boards and capping added, along with a chimney...

A coat of 'Poundland' grey primer and we're ready for paint.

I have to admit I'm pleased with the outcome so far, in fact so keen to finish that despite beginning the build only yesterday I have already finished the painting of stonework, timberwork etc. but it was too dark to photograph this evening..... only the slates to 'weather' and then a coat of matt varnish.

Post by **ge_rik** » Tue May 12, 2015 7:16 am

Lubberly!!
Beautifully constructed (can't even see the join on those quoins) and those windows look great. They look bigger than Jackson's Miniatures - do you have a source?

Sorry - seem to be using you as my garden railway Google at present.

Rik

Peter Butler · Post by **Peter Butler** » Tue May 12, 2015 10:18 am

Thanks again Rik.... I'm learning from others too, that's what is so good about this Forum!
The windows are not available unfortunately. They were made by a friend many years ago and are cast resin. They are the only ones I have, I wish there were more as they suit railway buildings perfectly.

Andrew · Post by **Andrew** » Tue May 12, 2015 10:25 am

I've just discovered the plastic crates that mushrooms come in - there are various designs but some are made from a roughly 1cm square mesh with bars of about 3cm. It struck me that they could be great for windows, although I've not tried it yet because they weren't quite right for the project I'm working on.

Our local green grocer was only too happy to give them away - he's got a teetering stack of the things cluttering up the back of his shop. I've currently got half a dozen keeping my tools vaguely tidy in the storage space under the house...

By the way, love the coaling stage and hut Peter...

Cheers,

Andrew.

Peter Butler · Post by **Peter Butler** » Tue May 12, 2015 10:53 pm

The coal office has now had several colours and washes added to give a slightly grotty appearance that would be associated with its position. I have given a protective matt varnish too so the acrylic paint should stay put!

I still need to glaze the windows and add a sign but that is it.

Today has been fine weather here so I managed to set out a few structures and run a couple of locos... meanwhile I set about another build, just a simple gate to close off the roadway to the coal-yard. I have only begun to paint it so no pictures as yet, just more trains.....

Joe · Post by **Joe** » Wed May 13, 2015 4:52 pm

really like the coaches, and the coal office

Peter Butler · Post by **Peter Butler** » Fri May 15, 2015 10:59 pm

Bit of a building frenzy going on at the moment!..... now I have discovered the stone effect plastic sheet I can't wait to find new uses for it. If it is suitable for permanent outdoor siting I thought about using it for a winding house to put at the top of my incline.
Firstly, the side walls are made as before by using a flat Plasticard former as a base then cladding with the stone effect sheet...

A drum made from scribed Plasticard with a centre spindle which locates into two 'u' shaped channels and a roof of 'slates' made as previously described.

Following a primer coat of dark grey, the whole building is painted with a light emulsion to form the mortar lines, then dry brushed with a variety of colours to represent the natural stone effect matching my landscape material. The drum is painted dark brown to represent wood and finally the whole thing given a tinted wash to add some weathering...

Tomorrow a coat of matt varnish should give some weather protection.

Post by **philipy** » Sat May 16, 2015 7:08 am

Phenominal, as always, Peter!

bazzer42 · Post by **bazzer42** » Sat May 16, 2015 9:18 am

Have to say Peter I marvel at the speed and quality with which you produce these things. I'm still waiting to find the time to cast fire buckets for a building I started in February.

Peter Butler · Post by **Peter Butler** » Sat May 16, 2015 9:42 am

Thanks Philip, I'm grateful for your encouragement.
During an earlier posting I mentioned a simple gate which I made to cross the roadway at the entrance to the coal-yard. I forgot to show the photograph later so here it is.....

Not much to see at the moment as the road isn't laid yet and the ground cover in the yard has still to be put down.

jim@NAL · Post by **jim@NAL** » Mon May 18, 2015 8:16 pm

looking good peter

Peter Butler · Post by **Peter Butler** » Mon Jun 15, 2015 11:00 pm

Not often I say this, but this evening we had a running session!
As well as running my own stock I was ably supported by Big Jim's fine collection of steam locomotives and assorted items of passenger and goods vehicles.
The weather has been kind with a warm and dry day and the wind has finally dropped so a very pleasant evening was had. Naturally some liquid refreshment assisted with the proceedings and we will ensure a repeat performance takes place in the not too distant future.

Big Jim · Post by **Big Jim** » Mon Jun 15, 2015 11:15 pm

A thoroughly enjoyable evening Peter, thanks very much.
Lubrication in the form of a couple of bottle of all made it even more pleasant!
If only I can sort out the wheels on the Pearce and stop the flanges belting the rail chairs!

DickH · Post by **DickH** » Tue Jun 16, 2015 10:19 pm

Both of you need to come over to Tycroes one evening - always beer and wine in the fridge but someone needs to be a designated driver!!

Peter Butler · Post by **Peter Butler** » Tue Jun 16, 2015 10:22 pm

Thanks Dick, that's an invitation neither of us will refuse, and the driver issue is easily resolved!
Will PM with details.

Garden Railway Forum

Time to build a railway...but where?

Who is online