Finally.. construction of the Tycroes Narrow Gauge Railway!!

[DickH]

Finally after nearly eight months of thinking about it the construction of the Tycroes Narrow Gauge Railway has started!!

The main decision has been to decide whether to go elevated or on the ground. After many hours of reading and watching videos I've decided I wanted a true garden railway rather than a railway in the garden and despite my ageing years its going to be on the ground and landscaped as time goes on.

The garden was a blank canvas with currently the whole garden laid to gravel with a patio, oil tank and a small additional patio area now ready for the already purchased and awaited garden (loco) shed waiting to arrive. The track base is going to be laid on high density concrete blocks and the track raw plugged and screwed (thanks to those who offered me much advice from a previous posting.

Below is a very crude layout and some photos of the footings dug and laid today. Although the garden looked reasonably level and wanting a level track I was amazed to see the variation from the laser and the various amount of base that was needed. Blocks are being laid tomorrow so more photos tomorrow. Currently doing stage 1 - "the dog bone" - station area, sheds and sidings to be stage 2 next month.

[Peter Butler]

Congratulations Dick..... first steps are the hardest but the decision is made and it all looks good.
The drawing is on screen but the photographs are not. I would be interested in how you are progressing from the pictures please.

[Soar Valley Light]

Me too Dick. I'm getting very close to breaking ground myself so it will be interesting to follow your efforts and hopefully learn some tips.

[DickH]

Sorry tried the photos again and I keep getting error message during upload - any ideas?

[laalratty]

Remember if you have a sloping site you can use that to your advantage to maybe have a raised area which will make loco preparation easier, whilst having other parts at ground level for best realism.

[Big Jim]

Good Luck Dick.
Get something running and it all flows from there.

[jay1976]

would a pair of pointsby the station or just to the left help if running into the shed area otherwise you have to reverse into the shed area,or a triangle junction to the right of the point in the picture

[DickH]

would a pair of pointsby the station or just to the left help if running into the shed area otherwise you have to reverse into the shed area,or a triangle junction to the right of the point in the picture

Any chance of a sketch of your ideas as I agree the yard is not "user friendly"!!

[DickH]

Remember if you have a sloping site you can use that to your advantage to maybe have a raised area which will make loco preparation easier, whilst having other parts at ground level for best realism.

Unfortunately there is not that amount of slope - the steaming area will be the loco yard by the shed but even that will only be about 9 - 12 inches high.

[jay1976]

Red bits are what i mean.. and the sidings by the shed would depend on your space you have over there as the curves would be sharp and may be better going straight on parrelel to the shed

[jay1976]

and you could always add later on a few sidings or passing loop any where later one as and when funds allow.. least that way you can get running on he main line

[DickH]

Red bits are what i mean.. and the sidings by the shed would depend on your space you have over there as the curves would be sharp and may be better going straight on parrelel to the shed

Thanks - I like your idea of sidings parallel to the shed complex

[jay1976]

and depending on if the shed is used as a shed a hole cut in the side you could stable rolling stock inside(only do this if its very secure near you)

[DickH]

Ok for those that wanted photos here's some links until I get my files resized.

http://s1351.photobucket.com/user/richa ... 6.jpg.html

http://s1351.photobucket.com/user/richa ... 1.jpg.html

http://s1351.photobucket.com/user/richa ... 7.jpg.html

http://s1351.photobucket.com/user/richa ... d.jpg.html

http://s1351.photobucket.com/user/richa ... 4.jpg.html

http://s1351.photobucket.com/user/richa ... f.jpg.html

http://s1351.photobucket.com/user/richa ... 9.jpg.html

[jim@NAL]

top work there well done

[DickH]

Ok for those that wanted photos here's some links until I get my files resized.

http://s1351.photobucket.com/user/richa ... 6.jpg.html

http://s1351.photobucket.com/user/richa ... 1.jpg.html

http://s1351.photobucket.com/user/richa ... 7.jpg.html

http://s1351.photobucket.com/user/richa ... d.jpg.html

http://s1351.photobucket.com/user/richa ... 4.jpg.html

http://s1351.photobucket.com/user/richa ... f.jpg.html

http://s1351.photobucket.com/user/richa ... 9.jpg.html

[jim@NAL]

looking good .bit of very solid construction looking forward to seeing more progress

[Peter Butler]

Excellent start Dick.... Blank canvas to work with, you can create whatever you want.
I bet the neighbours are curious?

[Dr. Bond of the DVLR]

My that was quick - will you be popping plants in around the shingle bits?

[DickH]

My that was quick - will you be popping plants in around the shingle bits?

Have a station area and shunting yard/loco shed area to go in in a few weeks and yes we will then start to landscape - will put rockery type areas in the two loops and create embankments up to the top of the blocks.

Will start to lay the track the weekend then I will be waiting for Geoff to return my two new locos - Roundhouse Silver Lady and a Katie - after he has painted and lined them in "my" livery.

Looking forward to getting many ideas at the show in April! and the forum has been a wonderful help and source of information.