Garden Railway Forum

I don't know about you, but for me one of the joys of garden railwaying is terraforming and landscaping. Now my railway is quite well established I don't often get the opportunity but since building the workshop, I decided it was time I sorted out the uneven trackbed on the section of the line which runs behind it.

Because it wasn't on show, it was allowed to do more or less its own thing '
The blocks had sunk a bit in the middle and so it was a bit of a switchback, despite the two ends being at the same height. So, the old trackbed was removed and a proper foundation of concrete and bricks was laid. .
The blocks were then relaid followed by the track. .
Because I cut back the tall hedge which shielded the old sheds, the junction which was formerly hidden has now become more visible, so I decided to landscape it. . .
I now have another short section on which photos and videos could be taken. The viewpoints are quite restricted as it's right up against the fence and if I take track level shots the house is very prominent. However, once it's been properly planted, I'm hoping it will add to the general atmosphere of the line.

Rik

That looks good Rik, but in the wet and windy weather we're experiencing at the moment it wouldn't be possible here.

Peter Butler wrote: ↑Tue Jan 07, 2020 3:38 pm That looks good Rik, but in the wet and windy weather we're experiencing at the moment it wouldn't be possible here.

I think we've got off quite lightly at this end of the Welsh / English border. It's been overcast, but not rained much for over a week. So, I thought I'd get a few garden jobs done.

Rik

I've now blogged wot I dun, giving a bit more detail about the way I create my trackbed, lay track, add ballast and then do the landscaping. I'm not saying mine is the only way of doing it, but I know I'm always interested in seeing how others go about these things.

https://riksrailway.blogspot.com/2020/0 ... ehind.html

Rik

Very well described and illustrated Rik, once established that area will look beautiful.

That will be a great camera view when settled in Rik, with the added satisfaction of running the first train over a newly re-laid section of track.
Grant.

Nice work as usual Rik, I never remember to photograph anything I do until I've almost finished.

Out of interest, how many times whilst squeezing between the fence and shed, did you regret not doing this before the workshop construction?

BorisSpencer wrote: ↑Wed Jan 08, 2020 10:34 am Out of interest, how many times whilst squeezing between the fence and shed, did you regret not doing this before the workshop construction?

From the moment I started lifting the track! Mind you, I did use the trackbed as a convenient step when building the workshop so I might have ended up undoing some of the work I'd already done.

Rik

That's looking good Rik, you've really made the most of the opportunity.

I sometimes wonder whether I should go for a shorter line so I can focus more on getting each short stretch just right, creating little cameos etc and paying more attention to detail - you somehow seem to do it with a whole network, it's very impressive!

All the best,

Andrew.

Andrew wrote: ↑Wed Jan 08, 2020 12:18 pm That's looking good Rik, you've really made the most of the opportunity.

I sometimes wonder whether I should go for a shorter line so I can focus more on getting each short stretch just right, creating little cameos etc and paying more attention to detail - you somehow seem to do it with a whole network, it's very impressive!

All the best,

Andrew.

That's very kind, Andrew, but not entirely accurate. After initially laying the track, I have now spent around fifteen years revisiting various sections and titivating them. I've been focusing on the station areas, firstly Beeston Market (the main terminus), then Peckforton, Beeston Castle last year. I have also spent a bit of time sorting out the flour mill and the viaduct near Peckforton, and the sand quarry at Bickerton. I still have to spend a bit more time and effort on Bulkeley and Bickerton Stations which require a fair bit of TLC, but neither really has the space or potential for a big upgrade. I did consider revamping the trackplan at Bulkeley to move the track further forward and then allow more space at the back for lineside industries (maybe a Boneworks similar to one which was in the area during the 1930s), but it would require quite a substantial bit of re-landscaping where the copper mine branch diverges. So, the jury's out at the moment on whether it will be a tweak or a major rebuild at Bulkeley.

So, give it time. Who knows what your line will look like in another thirteen years? There's no rush......

Rik

Hi Rik,

I know just what you mean about terraforming, it's very satisfying.

It's amazing how much the ground moves over time and repair jobs like this provide those rare opportunities to indulge the earthmoving urges!

It also gives the chance to create new and improved cameos. I love the view of the line going through that bridge, it really looks the part.

All the best,

Andrew

Well Rik another great blog on an unused part of your garden, that I now suspect will gets lots of use.
Well done Rik, you do inspire me to do more on mine.