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Ringbalin Light Railway

Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2020 11:22 pm
by GAP
I have been out of the G Scale scene for over a year as I prepared for, then eventually retired.
This involved moving interstate, so my old layout had to be pulled up and put into storage.
Finally settled in the new location so a new railway is born.
There are 2 divisions of the railway I called them the G & HO divisions.
The HO is indoors in my shed because in summer here work cannot be done outside unless its very early in the morning or in mid to late afternoon, because of the heat.
I started back in August 2019 but there was not much to show so I delayed posting.

I have written a blog about my railways and posted pictures of the progress made so far.
I have every intention to keep it up to date as I do things on them
Link to the blog is here if anybody is interested:

https://ringbalin-light-railway.blogspo ... -page.html

I will post some pictures on here as things progress but most pictures and descriptions will be on the blog.
Its a bit rough round the edges but I will smooth it up as I begin to learn/understand how to do things hope you enjoy reading it.

Re: Ringbalin Light Railway

Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2020 6:23 am
by philipy
Hi and welcome. I see you've been a member for quite a few years, but now that your railway is progressing, please keep us updated. A blog together with interaction on here are quite compatible, just take a look at Rik's 'Peckforton' input.

Re: Ringbalin Light Railway

Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2020 6:59 am
by GAP
philipy wrote: Tue Jan 14, 2020 6:23 am Hi and welcome. I see you've been a member for quite a few years, but now that your railway is progressing, please keep us updated. A blog together with interaction on here are quite compatible, just take a look at Rik's 'Peckforton' input.
Rik is actually mentoring me on my blog so I think I am in good hands

Re: Ringbalin Light Railway

Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2020 8:15 am
by ge_rik
Welcome to the wonderful world of retirement, Graeme, and also to the Blogosphere. Not so much mentoring as making an occasional suggestion. 🤔

Rik

Re: Ringbalin Light Railway

Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2020 8:36 am
by tom_tom_go
Happy for you to promote your blogs, however, if you could also link the forum on your sites please as a courtesy.

Re: Ringbalin Light Railway

Posted: Tue Jan 14, 2020 8:15 pm
by GAP
I will most certainly post a link as soon as I figure out how to do it.
I most likely will add a page detailing how I found information and got ideas on how to build my layouts.

Re: Ringbalin Light Railway

Posted: Sat Jan 18, 2020 5:19 pm
by Andrew
Hello!

I've just had a look at your blog - that's some very impressive construction you've got going on, it should be a great railway. The bridges look like they'll be a major feature... What sort of rolling stock will you be running?

Looking forward to seeing more,

Andrew.

Re: Ringbalin Light Railway

Posted: Sat Jan 18, 2020 9:16 pm
by GAP
Andrew wrote: Sat Jan 18, 2020 5:19 pm Hello!

I've just had a look at your blog - that's some very impressive construction you've got going on, it should be a great railway. The bridges look like they'll be a major feature... What sort of rolling stock will you be running?

Looking forward to seeing more,

Andrew.
The trestle is going to be the main feature, it has a dual purpose of changing level around a corner and a visual impact.
Another one is being considered that will be on the lower level and again around a curve but may not happen.
I am going to run a Bachmann 1:20.3 3 Truck Shay and a 2-8-0 Consolidation and some LGB locos, steam and diesel outline.
The theme is an isolated line hauling timber, general freight and sugar cane and sugar products.
The rolling stock is scratchbuilt wagons, flat cars, freight vans and boxcars.
There will be pictures on the blog in the future.

Re: Ringbalin Light Railway

Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2020 8:57 pm
by GAP
tom_tom_go wrote: Tue Jan 14, 2020 8:36 am Happy for you to promote your blogs, however, if you could also link the forum on your sites please as a courtesy.
I have now put a link to the forum on my blog under " LINKS TO USEFUL SITES AND FORUMS" on the right hand side.
https://ringbalin-light-railway.blogspo ... -page.html

I have done no work on the Large Scale, but a bit on the HO as it has been either to hot or raining.

Re: Ringbalin Light Railway

Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2020 9:09 pm
by tom_tom_go
Thank you, it is appreciated.

Re: Ringbalin Light Railway

Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2020 10:22 am
by GAP
The large scale trestle has now reached around the corner.
It is basically finished except for my trying to figure out some method to catch anything that derails, a safety rail of some sorts, suggestions welcome.

Work has progressed on the HO with the backdrop painting finished, so now it is a case of pushing the baseboards under and continue laying track.
The blog has pictures and description of both railways
https://ringbalin-light-railway.blogspo ... /G%20Posts

Re: Ringbalin Light Railway

Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2020 12:38 pm
by ge_rik
Looks like you're making good progress on both fronts, Graeme. I'd imagine the shed gets pretty warm at this time of year...

Rik

Re: Ringbalin Light Railway

Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2020 8:23 pm
by GAP
ge_rik wrote: Tue Jan 28, 2020 12:38 pm Looks like you're making good progress on both fronts, Graeme. I'd imagine the shed gets pretty warm at this time of year...

Rik
3 fronts if you include the blog. :) :)

The other day it was 38C when I went in but after opening 2 of the roller doors a breeze blew through and it was down to 32C which with the aid of a fan made it bearable.
If I gets to hot I just jump in the swimming pool and cool off. ;)

To fill in some time and to stop boredom setting in I went and joined this railway group.
http://www.bundabergcanetrains.org.au/
On the form were questions about what I was prepared to do and 2 of them were fireman and driver, when I said I did not know how to do that the reply was "don't worry we'll train you", that sounds exciting looks like I may be doing some study. :study:

Re: Ringbalin Light Railway

Posted: Wed Jan 29, 2020 7:36 am
by ge_rik
Wow!
That sounds great - not just the Bundaberg railway but also being able to plunge into the pool.. My wife swims nearly every day but has to walk over to the club at a nearby hotel. Fortunately, at this time of year it's indoor.

I love Bundaberg ginger beer btw. Next time I have a bottle I'll think of you puffing up the line...... 😃

Rik

Re: Ringbalin Light Railway

Posted: Wed Jan 29, 2020 10:24 am
by GAP
ge_rik wrote: Wed Jan 29, 2020 7:36 am Wow!
That sounds great - not just the Bundaberg railway but also being able to plunge into the pool.. My wife swims nearly every day but has to walk over to the club at a nearby hotel. Fortunately, at this time of year it's indoor.

I love Bundaberg ginger beer btw. Next time I have a bottle I'll think of you puffing up the line...... 😃

Rik
When I bought the house I said "I do not want a pool, they are just a pain in the b...." now I am glad SWMBO insisted on having it. :thumbup:

Small fact about Bundy Ginger Beer if you buy the "Diet" version they actually add a bit more ginger to compensate for the reduction in sugar.
Bundy Ginger Beer and Bundy rum = "Dark and Stormy" a popular drink in Nth Qld.
Me I a sucker for the Sarsaparilla and if I go the factory I can get a 10% discount on a carton because I am a "Barrel" club member. :)
If you ever get to Bundy a tour of the Barrel is a must, because you get to see how it is made. https://www.bundaberg.com/the-barrel/

As for puffing up the line I think they have a different job lined up for me, helping to replace the wooden sleeper with concrete ones, quote "if you have a heart problem or a bad back don't show up!!" :shock: :shock:

Just so this fits in with a railway theme, any idea on how to build some sort of safety device to catch derailed locos and wagons on the trestle so they do not swan dive over a metre onto the ground?
I will accept all suggestions from anybody.

Re: Ringbalin Light Railway

Posted: Wed Jan 29, 2020 10:44 am
by tom_tom_go
You can use a 'check rail':

https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/check_rail

Re: Ringbalin Light Railway

Posted: Wed Jan 29, 2020 5:45 pm
by ge_rik
I think Greg H has some sort of post and wire barrier on his tall trestle. I'm sure he'll be able to elaborate more.

Rik

Re: Ringbalin Light Railway

Posted: Thu Jan 30, 2020 12:14 pm
by BorisSpencer
Just thinking outside the box:
What about a layer of foam at the bottom of the trestle?
I mean something substantial like the innards of an old foam mattress, this should be available for free and could be roughly sculptured and stained/painted. It wouldn't be as effective as some form of catch fencing, but could potentially be less intrusive on the eye.
Thinking further, rather than a solid lump, a tray of foam "rocks". The source could be the same, but torn or cut into chunks.

Re: Ringbalin Light Railway

Posted: Thu Jan 30, 2020 12:59 pm
by tom_tom_go
Any reason why you would not want to use a check rail?

Re: Ringbalin Light Railway

Posted: Thu Jan 30, 2020 10:05 pm
by GAP
A check rail would add an element of safety.
The only issue I can see is that it will have to be over 13 feet in length and attach to plastic sleepers.
After saying that I do have some Code 250 track that has bad sleepers so I could use that up against the Code 332 rail on the trestle so the top of the rail heights might be about the same and not be a real issue as compared to using 332.
Might drag some of it out and have a play, definitely worth a go.