The Potters Orchid Railway

[ge_rik]

Rik they are for Signals and work off a working interlocked frame. If you scroll back to at least page 16 of the POR thread you will find posts and pics of the process.

I see that back on p16 I responded about your use of bike cables. I hadn't realised your signalling was going to be quite so extensive.

BTW, are you using stainless steel cables? (forgive me if you've already answered this)

Rik

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

Rik they are for Signals and work off a working interlocked frame. If you scroll back to at least page 16 of the POR thread you will find posts and pics of the process.

I see that back on p16 I responded about your use of bike cables. I hadn't realised your signalling was going to be quite so extensive.

BTW, are you using stainless steel cables? (forgive me if you've already answered this)

Rik

The Orchid House Loop has a 12 lever frame. Potters Junction will have a frame with 23 levers and one spare, but that is a fair way down the time line, at this rate a couple of years. By unhooking two points connections unattended continuous running can be enjoyed. The signals and points are operated by 1.1 mm stainless wire so as to be push pull, running inside Shimano bicycle gear cable cassing. The power supply wires for the signal lamps are yet to be installed, I left these off for now to save possible damage with the size 43 steel capped boots tromping about.

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

Sat morning I searched the internet for inspiration for a bridge to be located at Potters junction on the Potters Orchid Railway. Sat arvo I do the drawings for the stone arch bridge contract that is now submitted to the Potter. I had to draw to allow shrinkage post firing.

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

Sunday at the POR, more planting and the S&T foreman tries to understand what he is trying to achieve with light wires and plugs.

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

We had a friend that was calling in on his way home from Gympie after his weekend of crewing the steam loco hauled trips at the Mary Valley Rattler. It was already dark when he got here but had we waited till his arrival so we could for first time turn on the POR signal lamps in the darkness. YAY. The effect was all we hoped for. A glass of wine and MAM's loco in steam, we sat, told stories and then consumed a roast dinner. It was nice. When we have the paths, bench and awning done then there will be many more afternoons and evenings to come with friends and fellow garden railway enthusiasts. Motivation to press on with more terra forming and filling in the details which will include the signals at Potters Junction.

[FWLR]

That bridge looks superb Dazza, and with MAM's brilliant work it will look fantastic...

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

That bridge looks superb Dazza, and with MAM's brilliant work it will look fantastic...

Thanks. The bridge is hoped to disengage the eye looking at the entry to the 850mm radius curve then the cutting and tunnel is to assist the camouflage of this sharp curve In the next life I will design the terrace walls to fit 1500mm =+ radius loops. My bad.

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

The Potter is working studiously on the POR contract for the ceramic stone bridge to be installed at Potters Junction.

[FWLR]

Thats looking great Dazza.

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

The contract for the Stone Road Bridge progresses. The call was out for a large round surface to use a drying form. Captain Plod rummaged through the workshop, the empty steel hand cleaner tub, used as a rubbish bin will do the job. Plod gave it a good scrub and bingo.

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

Work on weed proofing the Potter Orchid Railway's track corridor and cuttings progress at a slow and steady rate. Brews of ready mix concrete, sand, 5mm stone chips, mortar dyes and a few hours of Captain Plod attempting to be creative, just muck about and try out ideas and see what works. It is to be a garden railway, not a scale model railway. There are strategic drains and flow paths for the storm water rain and the signal push pull wire casing and lamp light wires are buried. Tests with the garden hose to check drainage and a leaf blower show that all seems firmly fixed as intended. We have a constant shower of Gum and Camphor laurel blossoms, leaves and twigs so a regular garden hose flush and or leaf blower will be required before a run day, thus no loose ballast. One day to come the track bed will be fixed ballasted and those material tests on a couple of sidings are not far away in time.
Recent plantings are going well, it will be interesting to watch how they will fair during our hot summers. We plan to fit a spray sprinkle system on the top edge of the back wall of the railway to ease this problem.

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

With the electric moonlight turned on (LED floods on the back deck over looking the back yard, another one of MAM's brilliant ideas) Captain Plod likes to sit and watch the evening arrive over the POR. For the directors of the POR the late afternoon and evening runs are the important intended social events to enjoy. So pondering how the lights and plants (when they grow up to be adults) and the ambience of the railway is imagined and intended is enjoyable. It helps to have a glass of Red in hand as well. The stack of pavers will be the Pendle Valley Signal box. The ply on sticks will be Orchid station, which is another Pendle Valley kit that awaits construction. The Orchid house can be seen on the higher level in the back ground. The signal lamp wires will be tidied up into a water proof battery box next to the interlocked 12 lever frame. (on hand but yet to be installed) One just has to sit and ponder and let ideas flow, come and go before dinner. Currently it is one of Captain Plod's favourite moments of the day.

[Old Man Aaron]

Just catching up with your progress, really coming together nicely. I must say your rock-work in particular, is phenomenal.

Regards,
Aaron

[FWLR]

Your bridge is just so brilliant Dazza.... Far, far better than my poor attempt at stonework.

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

Your bridge is just so brilliant Dazza.... Far, far better than my poor attempt at stonework.

Thanks but it is MAM's brilliance, I just sourced the picture and did the drawing.

[FWLR]

Shame MAM doesn't live in the UK Dazza, she would certainly be in demand for her brilliant work.

Can you please pass on to her, what a brilliant artist she is...

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

Shame MAM doesn't live in the UK Dazza, she would certainly be in demand for her brilliant work.

Can you please pass on to her, what a brilliant artist she is...

MAM says thank you and you are too kind. Right at this moment she is attempting to ring Roundhouse for more parts.

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

Running express with essential supplies . POR Sunday evening.

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

Potters Junction tunnel Portal contract is well underway.

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

Filling in the little details but it takes a decent amount of time. Captain Plod has never done this garden railway caper so it is try and learn. We will see how it weathers and wears in. More planting and previous plantings are showing good signs of growth at the POR. In time the cane mulch will be covered completely