Garden Railway Forum

Of course, having got myself organized it is pishing it down today! :roll: Good job I remembered to put the cement straight in the shed - everything else is dumped at the work site. They have promised us a full day of it, so I am going to have to watch the basement too, because if the water table ge...

As anyone who knows me can tell you I tend to be motivated by deadlines more than anything else. Until I have a deadline looming I will ding around, read, do research, chase various rabbit trails, and generally amuse myself whilst dealing with the routine. I guess it is a case of 'knowing one is abo...

I am liking the plastic downpipe idea more and more - it somehow seems more efficient. How deep do you go below the surface? I would be inclined to go about 8" to a foot depending how far I could get down before hitting a tree root or a rock. :D This is the first time I have had to build a rais...

I have been able to get down in the basement again the last couple of days and seem to have got quite a bit more done without really trying. 19Mar trains1.JPG I am a long way on with the van with the partition between the mail and guard's compartments in position, and the roof rolled. Lots of little...

Peter, I have heard a cacophony of different views on whether or not to felt. I was going to object to felt on the grounds of our humidity and rainfall, but when I saw you are in West Wales I decided it was a case of 'never mind!' We are warmer than West Wales but otherwise the climate is similar, s...

I was thinking of the standard perforated block used in construction. Not too bad to drill with the right bit and a hammer drill, but a material I have stayed away from in the past. I don't enjoy the racket from drilling operations, and was only contemplating it this time due to the relative small n...

This may be a series of questions induced by lack of sleep and coffee, but I have to build a raised section for the Far End Tramway. So, does this sound workable? I need a series of short pillars (approx. 18" tall) to hold up a decking board superstructure, and the good old 16" x 8" x...

One reason I have a soft spot for pot boilers is that their 'sweet spot' in terms of running is much larger than that of the single flue, internally fired, types. The down side is that they are appreciably less efficient. My Millie will chug away happily for 30-35 minutes after the initial temper ta...

That is decidedly odd. The first thing I would have fingered is the Filcris because it is known to have a high degree of expansion and contraction. However, I would have expected it to go bananas in the summer not now. Any idea what the temperatures were when you laid first the Filcris and then the ...

I'll give the Regner idea some thought. I won't be able to say with certainty what the steepest grade will be until I get out there with the surveying tools, but some sort of geared locomotive would be an idea if I have too much of the really steep stuff. Realistically, if I have to go steeper than ...

Much better without the narrow bit. Looks just the ticket now, just needs the accustomed paint job. I used to know what the various banding schemes meant on light houses, but it is a long time since that was necessary information as I probably have not been sailing in 30 years.

Cheers,
Peter in Va

Andrew, I would really prefer a steam hauled line, but right now all my steamers are 45mm gauge, and there is a certain shortage of mad money for the time being. I think a lot of the problem in Arizona was dust, so I would be prepared to make a modest wager that it won't be anywhere near as bad here...

<snip>Looking forward to seeing it all heading up the fearsome grades you describe - I do hope you manage to make it steam-worked... All the best, Andrew I know that I could work it by steam, the question is do I want to torture a rather expensive steam locomotive that way on a regular basis? When ...

This one is another mésalliance between a KSR prototype and one from the DHR. As usual the body is Bristol board, and as the interior is relatively hidden I decided just three layers - panelling, and then two laminations for the body itself. Here we have the three layer. Drop light layer (top); oute...

Drew the aforementioned out this morning. Now I have to get cutting because, if the weather forecast is anywhere near right (you may stop laughing... now!) it will be warm enough to rattle can outside on Sunday - it will be around 65F. For reference, it is currently 31F and snowing gently. I have de...

The roof was rolled last night, and left to dry on a former overnight. The remaining hand rails will go on today, if I do not get distracted. It also needs its handbrake, but that will have to wait until I have some more brass rod. (Edit: I didn't get distracted - coach roof was painted and handrail...

OK, here is the news that is fit to print. The wagons have received a few improvements. Dummy handbrake gear has been fitted, and the location marked for the benefit of shunters and brakemen by the strategic use of white paint. IMG_4461.JPG IMG_4460.JPG The main project at the moment is a four-wheel...

Hopefully by the time he has made a few other visits there will be enough of the Far End Tramway running for him to come out to the Former Colonies and take a gander. The Skebawn and Castleknox is outside of his jurisdiction, unless there is a McVile kicking about.

Cheers,
Peter in Va

Nice job that, it looks ready for a Ferret and Dartboard crest, and a number beginning with a heavily serrifed 'D.' I would keep the dinged yellow paint - it somehow looks more realistic that way. Slightly dogeared always looks a little more authentic to me.

Peter in Va

Duh! The Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway used to operate that way. The loco was always on the South Sea Lane end of the train, and there were usually two carriages on busier days - usually one of the Ashovers and 'the Tub' for those who preferred to travel al fresco. This was their usual mode of op...