Garden Railway Forum

At some point in the next three weeks, the Director of Finance of the Llareggyb Light Railway has said that I can get on with the site survey. The plot is about 25 x 15 metres, although not all of it will be railway! It is to be based on a fictional 2ft gauge Welsh line, using 45mm track, of which we already have just over 20 metres. The idea is initially a single track with a small yard at one end, and a balloon loop at the far end. I have been told that there has to be a water feature with a bridge, the DoF is thinking along the lines of the bridge at Barmouth, but I think that's a bit ovetr the top!

That is a wonderful bridge and in a beautiful setting too! If I were you I would go along with the plan, at least in theory, and you will receive your just reward.

A working model of Barmouth bridge would truly be an achievement! However in garden terms, unless you have a lake rather than a pond, its length would be something of a problem. more of an issue would be the sheer number of piles that would need a flat and very solid base to sit on. Again difficult to achieve in a garden pond, which normally has a flexible liner.

Whatever you decide, welcome to the forum. There is lots of experience and help available here, you just have to ask.

Welcome. Waiting with bated breath

Go for it. My view is nothing adds character more than bridges and real water. I am sorry we had to raise our pond but the ground conditions dictated it. Look forward to seeing this develop.

You mean something like this?
This is a double bowstring I completed for Simon Kennedy. He supplied me with this photo once he had the bridge in place. It's one of the best bridge reflection photos I have seen with one of my bridges.
Forgive the plug but take a look at my MVL Bridges website if you want some ideas for bridges.
Good luck with your railway.
Michael
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oh what a shame having to have a pond and bridge, sounds great and really like the bowstring in the picture.

Certainly something along those lines. What a superb model and picture. Sadly I can't start on construction for another 12 months, as we have to wait until the house is ready for habitation. Meanwhile I'm looking at a lot of other layouts, and doing some of the smaller bits of modelling, like rolling stock that I can ship out ahead of the move.

Didn't get very far this time round. The site matches that drawn up by the surveyor, so plenty of room. I've checked the levels, and the maximum gradient at the moment is 1:36 and is along the shortest side. The soil is going to be a bit of a problem as it has a lot of stones in it - actually I've just had a new septic tank put in and one rock they dug out was over 0.5 metre across! The local rock is schist which splits nice and easily and is pretty soft for working. I've also found a local free source of sandstone.