Building of the PFLR

Dannypenguin · Post by **Dannypenguin** » Thu Feb 28, 2013 4:15 pm

Hi and welcome to my railway build blog.

The railway is called the PFLR, and is a 16mm scale 32mm gauge light railway running in our back garden. I have been around garden railways since 2008 because I also model OO gauge, and a friend in my model railway club runs SM32 in his garden. I often attended the get togethers in his garden and soon after, I bought an IP engineering EZEE Rapier Diesel loco kit, an EZEE coach kit and an EZEE Brake van kit. One thing led to another and after 4 years saving up, last week I got a Roundhouse live steam 'Bertie' which has finally got me into building a garden railway. At the moment it is only 7 yards long on a piece of straight board and Bertie runs forwards and backwards along with my coach, brake van and two slate tipper wagons I got for christmas 2 years ago. The railway is called the Poulton Farm Light Railway and will eventually run along the perimeter of our back lawn with two stations with freight sidings and a quarry at one end. I hope to post my progress on this forum.

We have just ordered another box of Peco SL-600 flexitrack to extend the railway but I would like to try scrathcbuilding some rolling stock to expand the fleet. Whats the best wheel diameter for coaches and wagons??

spooner · Post by **spooner** » Thu Feb 28, 2013 4:57 pm

Most stock [but not all] uses 25mm dia.wheels.Some stock look better on 20mm dia.wheels.

Dannypenguin · Post by **Dannypenguin** » Thu Feb 28, 2013 8:46 pm

Thanks, I will have a look at purchasing a set of those.

Another question. Where can I get number plates for locomotives??

TommyDodd · Post by **TommyDodd** » Fri Mar 01, 2013 2:03 pm

Dannypenguin:80718 wrote:
Another question. Where can I get number plates for locomotives??

You can get 'em made to order, but better value would be to go here http://www.roundhouse-eng.com/enhance.htm and scroll down to NP for numberplates, one etch has 2 each of nos 1-10 for you to remove, paint and affix.

Dannypenguin · Post by **Dannypenguin** » Thu Mar 07, 2013 7:40 pm

Thanks for that.

Bit of an update. The box of Peco flexitrack has arrived but track laying has been delayed due to the British weather (surprise suprise!). Also, the Diesel loco No.1, the Coach, Brake-van and one of tipper wagons have finally been painted. The Diesel, Coach and Brake-van have been painted in BR Deep Brunswick Green and the painted tipper is in grey. The other will be painted once its repaired as it has virtually fallen apart due to a small crash with the screw bufferstop!!

Should have some piccys once the weather has improved!

Dannypenguin · Post by **Dannypenguin** » Sat Mar 09, 2013 6:33 pm

Update!

The track extension has been completed (finally!

). This means that the total length of track is now are 15 yards. As the corner section has to be removable, it was a bit of a struggle to fit the flexitrack corner inside the piece of board but we got through. Below are some pictures.

The corner section under construction.

The new section on the other side of the curve.

Bertie with the first train on the extension.

Bertie again, this time sat at the end of the new extension.

The newly painted Sheba, Coach, Tipper and Brake-van on the extension.

Bertie on the curve section viewed from ground level.

There was only one hiccup, one of my tippers lost its coupling bar again, but a bit of glue fixed that.

Lner fan Sam · Post by **Lner fan Sam** » Sat Mar 09, 2013 8:15 pm

Looking good dan. I wish I could go in my garden and build a railway like that but domestic authorities has stopped me!!

Dannypenguin · Post by **Dannypenguin** » Sat Apr 20, 2013 6:48 pm

Lner fan Sam:81029 wrote:Looking good dan. I wish I could go in my garden and build a railway like that but domestic authorities has stopped me!!

Thanks for your comment.

My Domestic authorities backed down after initial defence! I think they saw the beauty of the steam loco!

Today, the sun was shining in the UK, so I took advantage of it and took Bertie for a run. Afterwards, I wasn't doing anything, so I decided to scratch build a Permanent way hut. It was a VERY steep learning curve!

I decided I wanted a real wood plank effect, so I cut planks out of some modelling ply and began building. Pictures and how i did it below.

The front planks and door lined up together after cutting.

When all of the planks for the first three walls were cut, I lined them up and glued on two cross beams to hold the planks together, one near the top and one near the bottom, on each wall. Then I glued the two right hand walls together (below).

The four walls and door glued together. The rear and fourth wall is just a piece of wood with scores in it to make a planking effect. This is because the rear of the hut will be usually faced away from viewing. Left of the door was a bit difficult as it did not line up with right of the door. An extra plank sorted this though.

With the roof added, in position on the curve, nicknamed 'Navvies corner'! However, we still felt something was missing...

And then we decided! The roof needed a tarpaulin or felt on it. Luckily, my dad had some roof felt left from building the shed. I cut it to size and bent the edges to look like it is hanging over the edge of the roof. Note the door handle which was made by cutting the head off a nail off with a dremel.

The shed back in position on 'Navvies corner' with Sheba and the permanent way train parked alongside. The 'invisible' P-way staff are loading the brake van with tools.

Bertie with an up passenger train passing the new hut.

The finished hut with the last details added. Some spare track offcuts provided the sleepers and rail pieces.

Nothing else to report at the moment, hope to have more for you soon!

Lner fan Sam · Post by **Lner fan Sam** » Sat Apr 20, 2013 9:12 pm

nothing better than scratch building!! are you going to Peterborough this year?

Dannypenguin · Post by **Dannypenguin** » Fri Apr 26, 2013 3:59 pm

Sorry for the late reply, been really busy working.

No, Its a bit far for me, especially as parents would have to drive me all the way there...

Dannypenguin · Post by **Dannypenguin** » Sat May 11, 2013 7:10 pm

No updates at the moment, but there might be one later on. I am going to buy some wheels for new rolling stock. What axleboxes would be used for what?

So coaches would use..?
Flat wagons would use..?
etc, etc.

bazzer42 · Post by **bazzer42** » Sat May 11, 2013 8:35 pm

Yet to build any coaches but the ip hudson boxes look nice on a busted bricks wagon (will post a picture later on the bb project thread). Want to have a go at casting my own from resin but it may be an autumn job as I am also wrestling witha high level extension. Lots of aluminium bridges to build.......

Dannypenguin · Post by **Dannypenguin** » Wed May 29, 2013 9:05 am

Update Time!

A loop has been added to the North end of the line at Poulton Farm (potted history on why its called that available here > http://poultonfarmlightrailway.webs.com/about soon). Well, when I say loop I mean half a loop, as during construction we decided that there would be a siding coming out of the loop, which needed a point we didn't have. The point has been ordered and is expected by the end of this week for fitting on the weekend (weather and Dean Forest Railway work permitting). Will have some pics when the full loop is finished.

Lner fan Sam · Post by **Lner fan Sam** » Thu May 30, 2013 3:26 pm

Sounds good, looking forward to the pictures!

Dannypenguin · Post by **Dannypenguin** » Sat Jun 01, 2013 5:55 pm

Thanks Sam.

Has anyone been outside today!? There is blue sky and a SUN! I'd forgotten what they'd both looked like up until now...

Anyway, back on topic, its update time! The loop at the north end of the line has been completed for now. I plan to add another siding at some point but want to get the railway at its complete length before I do that. A few pictures for you all.

An overall view.

Bertie being prepared for firing in the siding.

Bertie waits in the loop as Sheba brings in the train.

Bertie waiting in the headshunt for Sheba to return.

And finally, Bertie propelling a train into the new loop.

Next job, a new extension south towards Blakeny (not spelt like the real one that I live about 3/4 mile from) for another few yards. Phase 5/6 is the run-round loop and balloon loop at Blakeny. Also, I am (hopefully tonight) going to buy 3 sets of wheels and when they come, scrathbuild some flat wagons. Should be fun.

Just a couple of questions, someone told me recently that twice a year I should take out Bertie's gas jet and soak it to prevent blokages?

1. What do I soak it in?
2. Is this correct?

Thanks.

pauly · Post by **pauly** » Sat Jun 01, 2013 7:20 pm

Never heard anything like that before.

Don't worrying about it, if the jet ever blocks just take it out and blow air through it backwards if that doesn't clear it just replace it.
Easy

laalratty · Post by **laalratty** » Sat Jun 01, 2013 8:55 pm

Jet doesn't need anything doing to it unless it actually blocks and stops the burner performing properly. Saying that, last year I took the jet out of my Millie for the first time ever (having never had a blocked jet on that loco) and it was completely caked in cr*p, how the heck any gas got through I've no idea! Cleaning it off did improve the steaming a bit....

Dannypenguin · Post by **Dannypenguin** » Sun Jun 02, 2013 2:16 pm

Thanks!

I will keep it all in mind.

90733 · Post by **90733** » Tue Jul 23, 2013 10:49 pm

Missied your last update somehow. It's lookig great, inspiring me to build my new line

Dannypenguin · Post by **Dannypenguin** » Wed Jul 24, 2013 10:04 am

Thanks for the feedback, great to hear I'm inspiring someone, usually I'm putting them off!

Nothing to post at the moment, the railway management has run out of money again...

Garden Railway Forum

Building of the PFLR

Building of the PFLR

New track extension completed!

Building of the PFLR - Pway hut construction

Update Time! - Building of the PFLR

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