RWLR - Robin Wood Light Railway

[ge_rik]

I can almost hear the metal ticking as it cools down.

Rik

[tom_tom_go]

I do feel my railway lacks atmosphere though.

Next garden things will be different...

[Dwayne]

I don't think it lacks atmosphere. Your last video was a pleasure to watch.

[FWLR]

Agree with Dwayne, you have a certain atmosphere that is wonderful to see.

[Andrew]

Agree with Dwayne, you have a certain atmosphere that is wonderful to see.

Yep, I agree too. Just like the real NG lines, you can look at a photo of the RWLR and instantly know that's what you're looking at - you could perhaps describe it as minimalist, in that there's not space for loads of buildings etc, but I think its got tons of atmosphere...

Andrew.

[IanC]

I agree. Your railway doesn't lack atmosphere. The videos show an interesting line. For me much of the charm is in being able to operate as realistically as possible so my railway, when it gets built, won't have much in the way of buildings, landscape and scenery.

Enjoy what you have.

Ian

[daan]

I do feel my railway lacks atmosphere though.

Next garden things will be different...

No it doesn't. It does lack depth a bit in your picture. You could hide the white wall by painting it sky blue or placing facades of buildings in front of them. That would be a difference in appeal on a picture.

But it is a garden railway. Those have walls and other objects out of the "big world". They are meant to be operated and not in the first place as a scale replica of the big world. Part of the charm is that you can see that the railway is spooned in in someones garden, with full scale objects alongside the line.

[tom_tom_go]

Thanks for the positive comments.

I want more of a rural garden so the track negotiates around plants, trees and bushes. I am not really arsed about recreating a real life railway.

Like I said, my next house will hopefully be out in the sticks with land for such a project but that's a long way off so I will be grateful for what I have now. I maintain that having a small railway is better than not having one at all regardless of scale.

[Peter Butler]

Wonderful future plan Tom and one I can highly recommend, however, don't leave it too late as there is a huge amount of work required to build and maintain a large railway, especially if you are still working. If you are retired however, you might not be active enough to do it all yourself to the standard you would like to achieve?
It is heartening to hear you are satisfied with your present line, I'm sure there are things you cold be preparing for the great day!

[FWLR]

I will be grateful for what I have now. I maintain that having a small railway is better than not having one at all regardless of scale.

I agree Tom, I don’t have one at the moment and boy am I missing it.

If you are retired however, you might not be active enough to do it all yourself to the standard you would like to achieve?
It is heartening to hear you are satisfied with your present line, I'm sure there are things you could be preparing for the great day!

Again Peter is correct, getting older and it’s really hard for me somedays, with the heart, back, and legs the way they are.

But I do enjoy doing a bit no matter what it is, running on the line, bit more landscaping and of model builds, whether it be rolling stock or buildings.

[tom_tom_go]

Just messing about with the camera on the last day of summer as the days are now going to start getting darker in the UK:

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[Peter Butler]

Just messing about with the camera on the last day of summer as the days are now going to start getting darker in the UK:

Last day of Summer here in Wales will be 23rd September...... there are some advantages about living in the West I guess?

[ge_rik]

Your last set of photos shows your railway has plenty of character, Tom and also shows you really enjoy running it. When layouts are larger and more rural, they require a lot more attention and maintenance. I reckon I run my railway about half as often as you do, even though I'm retired. Cutting back the foliage, clearing debris after hedge cutting, removing every tiny bit of gravel, leaf and stem from the track is a bit of a chore, and so I tend to have bursts of running, then lapses. I sometimes think it would be great to have a stretch of railway like yours where I could run a train or two with little preparatory effort.

I suppose, if you wanted to add 'atmosphere', you could try making more of the enclosed environment of your railway. A lot of narrow gauge railways were constructed for industrial purposes and so wound their way between warehouses and past housebacks (eg in Welshpool). If it was set in N Wales, there would be tall slate slab walls as a backdrop.

Rik

[FWLR]

Just messing about with the camera on the last day of summer as the days are now going to start getting darker in the UK:

Last day of Summer here in Wales will be 23rd September...... there are some advantages about living in the West I guess?

Why is that then Peter

[FWLR]

Great photos by the way Tom

[bazzer42]

Every railway has character and I like yours. I still say in pictures I see railways less than backdrops.

Having plentiful foliage is, as has been said before, a constant battle to keep track clean. I know I would operate more frequently if I could be sure the track was clear. Better still when it's next doors climbing rose shedding a confetti of white petals! Looks lovely though.

I hope your plans come true.

[philipy]

I like your line,Tom
I've often wished mine was as clean and simple as yours and it has cossed m mind to 'downsize' mine.

[tom_tom_go]

Interesting responses from many of you, they are appreciated.

I think what I need is more 'stuff' on the railway to add interest to operating sessions and provide photos with more 'depth'.

After looking at photos of actual water towers similar to mine they appear to be at the end of platforms and not over track. I have now moved mine here:

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I started making a ladder which ended in another failed soldering attempt using a 100w iron. I am going to use a blow torch in future with flux:

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The ladder is made from Hornby OO rails with copper wire.

I know the ladder should go to the top with an inspection hatch but I do not want to modify the roof so I will model a door on the side of the tank for maintenance inspections.

There will be other additions to the tower to make it look like the prototype and the concrete that the pillars are set in I will paint a lighter colour as it's too dark for my liking.

[Gralyn]

With 00 rail and copper wire use 60/40 resin cored solder. Should only need a 25 watt iron. 100 watt is far too much heat.

[Peter Butler]

Tom, I think a door on the tank side would be impractical as it would not withstand the weight/pressure of water against it when full, even if the door was inward opening, also the tank would need to be empty in order for access. Better to have the ladder full height and a trap door mounted on top.