Garden Railway Forum

Thanks Rik; yes - I read through your blog posts before going for the MFA one. It's far superior - performs very nicely. It's really designed as something for any young visitors to be able to drive around, but you get the feeling it'll happily handle a reasonable train now.

So, it's been a while since I updated this - so a few selected highlights over the last month! Wantage station has acquired some platforms, had the front clad with log roll and been ballasted. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4407/36418179500_0331cc533a_z.jpg The section from the triangle to the shed, ...

Thanks very much Peter :) Yesterday went well, with a good friend visiting to run. We had eight locos in steam across the day, all running well, and ran a two train service crossing at Kingston Lisle at points. A most enjoyable days steaming! Also got some of the buildings out for the first time, on...

Thanks for all of the replies guys. Definitely food for thought. I think I will use something similar to what you are suggesting Grant, with a couple of detail changes. Will post some updates in the VWHR thread in due course.

Thanks again all.

Thanks all! We had another day working yesterday & managed to get a number of odd jobs done. My dad had been busy & came with the turntable board which was duly fitted in. Still lots of jobs to do, but the trackwork is now complete and it is predominantly only the scenic work to do. I was pl...

So, I am now at the point where I need some platforms! On the previous line we used mortar, however for this line they will be on top of felt and in one case needs to be easily removable. We're talking substantial lengths - 8' at least.

What have people used/what do people recommend?

Thanks guys. It's a metal bridge and definitely a nice point of interest on the route! Well, the two ends were finally joined up this morning and the first trains run over the length. The track was tested with the L&B coaches (which due to their length seem to be the most sensitive) and some 4 w...

Thanks guys. I thought it was about time to post another update on the railway! Lots of odds & sods and planting have the top end of the garden looking a bit more presentable now... Note the windmill which has now taken residence. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4349/35537490554_ea5486e963_z.jpg M...

Thanks Graeme. An interesting prototype. Yes, I have done the sums a few times when debating what to get previously, but have always ended up getting a different SH loco instead! For this project I think we're either talking stripping the current one right down & rebuilding, or getting the compl...

Thanks very much guys.

My dad has been busy beavering away on some of the missing key bits (notably the bridge over the pond). I've also been working on a number of scenic items; I'll post some further updates in the next week or so...

Thanks all. Chris - I had not actually noticed that from RH, so have had a look. I've also been looking at the various parts on the RH site. I'm wondering whether it would be easier to get the bits I need from RH and part with the complete loco. I have a spare smokebox already (with the stovepipe ch...

Really smooth slow running! Must get a slomo or two...

I acquired a RH Billy (along with a load of track) in January in p/ex for a Vale of Rheidol tank. Fairly standard (other than having a tender), I spruced it up a bit - new smokebox (with the spark arresting chimney), plus a load of more minor details and a number of paint touch ups. Here is how it c...

Thanks all. The Darj tank really is lovely (only slight complaint being the RH exhaust enhancer only being on one steam pipe, giving 2 proper chuffs and two quiet ones... Will replace with a chuffer); it will be off to be spruced up later in the year. Main focus this week has been on the rest of the...

Once again, thanks all! You're too kind. Not much progress track wise this week, mainly a bit of fettling, but I thought you might like some more photos! On Tuesday I fettled the track a fair bit more & steamed up 'Auric' to test. The two main derailing points have now been packed sufficiently, ...

Thanks very much for the kind comments - it means a lot :) Anyway, another busy weekend! Yesterday was spent levelling (ish) in front of the shed, adding a rough border, laying a few slabs & filling with slate. We have some more slate to build up the thickness a bit too. https://c1.staticflickr....

Indeed, we now have some actual track down! A fair bit of work yesterday and today has now seen the track laid for the first section. The track is a mixture of old and second hand & some of it is very golden... will weather down. Mostly LGB throughout. Overscale but durable - will be ballasted i...

Thanks guys. Much nicer temps this week & weekend (although still a little hot in the sun!). Anyway, we're getting closer. The boards are now complete for the loop section. Steaming bay on the right, and a temporary bridge on the left which will be replaced as time permits. A curved point has be...

Thanks very much guys. I think it's one of the problems of actually living it - lots of incremental progress; when I look back through this thread there is actually a fair bit going on! This weekend has been too hot for me to really crack on, but hopefully next weekend will be a bit better! I am con...

Thank you very much Peter! :) The last few weeks have been quite busy (including being in Wales for a week), but we have made a fair chunk of progress: https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4214/35289896515_a1626d7ce9_z.jpg Looking from Kingston Lisle (foreground) down towards Uffington (shed). The wood has...