Fairy Wood Light Railway
Re: Fairy Wood Light Railway
I bit of progress done at last a break in this rubbish weather here, been raining on and off (mostly on) for 3 weeks now. Got the board on Monday, not happy with it, my fault for buying blind online.
These are the good ones. They came wet and they should have been pressure treated, but they haven’t. So i have needed to wait until yesterday for some of them to dry out. A few photos on were i am at the moment, the photos show you how badly the lawn is coping with all this rain, it as never been this bad. Clay soil doesn’t help I’am afraid.
The weather is not bad again this morning, but unfortunately I am going for a hospital appointment this morning at 11 o’clock, so i may not be able to take advantage of this fine weather, if i can get some more done i will post some more photo’s and you never know, a little video of running something.
These are the good ones. They came wet and they should have been pressure treated, but they haven’t. So i have needed to wait until yesterday for some of them to dry out. A few photos on were i am at the moment, the photos show you how badly the lawn is coping with all this rain, it as never been this bad. Clay soil doesn’t help I’am afraid.
The weather is not bad again this morning, but unfortunately I am going for a hospital appointment this morning at 11 o’clock, so i may not be able to take advantage of this fine weather, if i can get some more done i will post some more photo’s and you never know, a little video of running something.
ROD
Life is so easy when I run my trains.
https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 41&t=11364
https://www.youtube.com/@fairywoodlightrailway
Life is so easy when I run my trains.
https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 41&t=11364
https://www.youtube.com/@fairywoodlightrailway
- tom_tom_go
- Driver
- Posts: 4824
- Joined: Wed Feb 23, 2011 3:08 am
- Location: Kent, UK
- Contact:
Re: Fairy Wood Light Railway
The colour of the boards and supports blends in well with the garden.
Re: Fairy Wood Light Railway
A good start rod, well done.
I wouldn't worry about the knots in the boards they really don't matter. It's twists that are both a disaster waiting to happen, and difficult to do much about.
I wouldn't worry about the knots in the boards they really don't matter. It's twists that are both a disaster waiting to happen, and difficult to do much about.
Philip
Re: Fairy Wood Light Railway
A fine beginning. It won't hurt to slosh plenty of wood preservative on all of it, even the bits that are pressure treated.
It's worth checking carefully what you buy as some fence/shed paint is just that with no fungicide or anti rot treatment in it at all.
It's worth checking carefully what you buy as some fence/shed paint is just that with no fungicide or anti rot treatment in it at all.
If at first you don't succeed, use a bigger hammer!
Re: Fairy Wood Light Railway
Great start made, Rod. You've chosen a method of construction which should see you up and running quite quickly (weather permitting!).
Rik
Rik
Re: Fairy Wood Light Railway
Thanks for all the great comments guys, but my consultant has told me to rest for a few weeks now after my visit to him yesterday, my irregular heartbeat is going mental, has is Anne and my consultant after doing too much the other day.
You are right Phillip about the boards, it not the twisting it’s the bowing and curves in them, that is giving me some what of an headache, lol. I have read somewhere in my research on constructing a garden layout, that the grain in the wood is best facing down so has not to trap any moisture in the wood, well most of the board is curved with the grain facing down, so now i have small hills if you get my meaning, i.e. not level boards. I may have to rethink my construction of the boards, meaning buy some more, but that would be i have paid for boards that would only be fit for fire’s.
Still lesson learnt, don’t buy cheap online, wish i had an estate car then i could buy it from a proper wood merchants, although i did buy a couple of boards from B&Q so i could see how the layout would plan out, but they are £2 more then those online.
The moral i guess is, buy from people you know and can trust.
Anyway i will get a few weeks rest and then see how i feel, you never know the weather may improve (looking up to Heaven), and i can at least get that run down at that side of the garden and do some Autumn and Winter running.
You are right Phillip about the boards, it not the twisting it’s the bowing and curves in them, that is giving me some what of an headache, lol. I have read somewhere in my research on constructing a garden layout, that the grain in the wood is best facing down so has not to trap any moisture in the wood, well most of the board is curved with the grain facing down, so now i have small hills if you get my meaning, i.e. not level boards. I may have to rethink my construction of the boards, meaning buy some more, but that would be i have paid for boards that would only be fit for fire’s.
Still lesson learnt, don’t buy cheap online, wish i had an estate car then i could buy it from a proper wood merchants, although i did buy a couple of boards from B&Q so i could see how the layout would plan out, but they are £2 more then those online.
The moral i guess is, buy from people you know and can trust.
Anyway i will get a few weeks rest and then see how i feel, you never know the weather may improve (looking up to Heaven), and i can at least get that run down at that side of the garden and do some Autumn and Winter running.
ROD
Life is so easy when I run my trains.
https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 41&t=11364
https://www.youtube.com/@fairywoodlightrailway
Life is so easy when I run my trains.
https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 41&t=11364
https://www.youtube.com/@fairywoodlightrailway
Re: Fairy Wood Light Railway
Some progress been made this morning, one of my son-in-laws came to visit this morning and after hearing what caused my visit to the hospital offered to finish putting the rest of the boards on down the side by the garage.
At the far end i am hoping to put a bridge that will span at least 4’ and the end nearest will go around the birdbath.
Now on with laying some track, which i will do probably by the end of the week. My Birthday on Thursday( official retirement age) wow. So not much will be done until after that, Anne has got plans from Wednesday, secret plans with Daughters...
By the way would you stick the track down with glue of some sort or screws, baring in mind it is getting colder and i will need to allow for expense and contraction and how much space should i allow between rails.
At the far end i am hoping to put a bridge that will span at least 4’ and the end nearest will go around the birdbath.
Now on with laying some track, which i will do probably by the end of the week. My Birthday on Thursday( official retirement age) wow. So not much will be done until after that, Anne has got plans from Wednesday, secret plans with Daughters...
By the way would you stick the track down with glue of some sort or screws, baring in mind it is getting colder and i will need to allow for expense and contraction and how much space should i allow between rails.
ROD
Life is so easy when I run my trains.
https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 41&t=11364
https://www.youtube.com/@fairywoodlightrailway
Life is so easy when I run my trains.
https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 41&t=11364
https://www.youtube.com/@fairywoodlightrailway
Re: Fairy Wood Light Railway
I would screw it down with just enough to hold it in place. But allow enough room for movment. Use brass screws if possible to avoid corrosion problems. Leave an expansion gap at each rail joint.
If at first you don't succeed, use a bigger hammer!
Re: Fairy Wood Light Railway
Thanks Jim
ROD
Life is so easy when I run my trains.
https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 41&t=11364
https://www.youtube.com/@fairywoodlightrailway
Life is so easy when I run my trains.
https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 41&t=11364
https://www.youtube.com/@fairywoodlightrailway
- Peter Butler
- Driver
- Posts: 5254
- Joined: Sun Sep 09, 2012 10:33 pm
- Location: West Wales
Re: Fairy Wood Light Railway
Those timbers look like decking which is heavy duty and treated so should be worth the investment. You are fortunate in having assistance on hand. My own track is screwed down by drilling a few sleepers and countersinking screw heads flush with the surface. Eventually they will tone down and blend in with surroundings. Expansion gaps are essential, especially at this time of year as the heat of Summer (that was a joke!!!!!) will certainly cause distortion.
Take it easy and enjoy the process.
Take it easy and enjoy the process.
The best things in life are free.... so why am I doing this?
Re: Fairy Wood Light Railway
Hi Rob, just caught up with this. You are certainly progressing quickly. Another option for screwing track down could be stainless security screws from Toolstation or Screwfix. They use a star shape screw it, could deter somebody from pinching your track - the Forest of Dean is full of shady folk (me included)
Take care .
Take care .
Re: Fairy Wood Light Railway
Well laid some track today after my little excursion yesterday for my birthday, Anne is getting into the garden layout, she has bought somethings for the disused slate mine, a fork lift and figure, i haven’t got the heart to tell her the figure is a driver and the fork lift doesn’t really go, but i am not going to criticise her for doing it, at least she is taking an interest in doing something on the layout.
Some photos of the track
I think it looks ok the way it runs slightly of centre, it was done like that so it didn’t look to straight.
I am still loading a couple of videos on to youtube so when done i will put them up on here.
Some photos of the track
I think it looks ok the way it runs slightly of centre, it was done like that so it didn’t look to straight.
I am still loading a couple of videos on to youtube so when done i will put them up on here.
ROD
Life is so easy when I run my trains.
https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 41&t=11364
https://www.youtube.com/@fairywoodlightrailway
Life is so easy when I run my trains.
https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 41&t=11364
https://www.youtube.com/@fairywoodlightrailway
Re: Fairy Wood Light Railway
A couple of videos of the 1st run of the Tram on the layout.
https://youtu.be/mUk4TvFM5t0
https://youtu.be/VjHXMEUnQ-I
Can anyone tell me if it needs an oiling or is there something else i can do.
https://youtu.be/mUk4TvFM5t0
https://youtu.be/VjHXMEUnQ-I
Can anyone tell me if it needs an oiling or is there something else i can do.
ROD
Life is so easy when I run my trains.
https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 41&t=11364
https://www.youtube.com/@fairywoodlightrailway
Life is so easy when I run my trains.
https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 41&t=11364
https://www.youtube.com/@fairywoodlightrailway
- Peter Butler
- Driver
- Posts: 5254
- Joined: Sun Sep 09, 2012 10:33 pm
- Location: West Wales
Re: Fairy Wood Light Railway
That's a smart looking vehicle Rod, it is noisy though..... perhaps it's because it is a big hollow sound-box and needs some insulation material around the motor? It might be the gear meshing and that could mean replacing them.
Can you run it without the body so you can eliminate the problems one at a time?
Can you run it without the body so you can eliminate the problems one at a time?
The best things in life are free.... so why am I doing this?
Re: Fairy Wood Light Railway
I agree with Peter take it bit by bit and you should be able to identify the cause. Good luck.
Re: Fairy Wood Light Railway
Thanks Guys, i am going to be busy today, going to a meet at the West Lancs Light Railway this morning until about 2pm, then straight over to see a Granddaughter for her 3rd Birthday, then to-morrow both Anne and I are going to Elscar show, last minute thing that Anne is keen to go to, so who am i to argue with a woman .... lol.
But i will try both of your suggestions, but i fear it maybe the gears, pity because it is a nice looking Tram, i am still having trouble binding the Pickup to the Deltang R/X, it moves about a foot then stops, goes back about 6” and stops, talk about one foot forward 2 back .... lol.
Still there is always another day to enjoy .......... :thumb:
But i will try both of your suggestions, but i fear it maybe the gears, pity because it is a nice looking Tram, i am still having trouble binding the Pickup to the Deltang R/X, it moves about a foot then stops, goes back about 6” and stops, talk about one foot forward 2 back .... lol.
Still there is always another day to enjoy .......... :thumb:
ROD
Life is so easy when I run my trains.
https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 41&t=11364
https://www.youtube.com/@fairywoodlightrailway
Life is so easy when I run my trains.
https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 41&t=11364
https://www.youtube.com/@fairywoodlightrailway
- tom_tom_go
- Driver
- Posts: 4824
- Joined: Wed Feb 23, 2011 3:08 am
- Location: Kent, UK
- Contact:
Re: Fairy Wood Light Railway
Regarding the pickup Ron, make sure the batteries you are using in the Tx and Rx are good. The battery came with the pickup so it might be faulty.
Re: Fairy Wood Light Railway
Thanks Tom, it’s Rod though .... lol. I have put new batteries in the Pickup but not the T/X. The T/X is ok for the Tram, so should be ok for the Pickup shouldn’t it Tom..I did have trouble with this before if you can remember and Rik pointed out what i needed to do, but now it just doesn’t want to bind on another position on the T/X, but it must be receiving a signal hey, otherwise it wouldn’t move at all would it, it’s got to be something wrong with the Pickup somewhere i feel.
ROD
Life is so easy when I run my trains.
https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 41&t=11364
https://www.youtube.com/@fairywoodlightrailway
Life is so easy when I run my trains.
https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 41&t=11364
https://www.youtube.com/@fairywoodlightrailway
- Peter Butler
- Driver
- Posts: 5254
- Joined: Sun Sep 09, 2012 10:33 pm
- Location: West Wales
Re: Fairy Wood Light Railway
Rod, I am no expert but I suggest you try to bind the Tx/Rx again before you despair. I also had an issue with binding one of my locos and the fault was me! I couldn't see the Rx flashing inside the body of the loco and was too quick to switch on the Tx before it was ready to receive the signal. Just try waiting a few seconds longer to see if that works... it did for me!
Failing that, if you send the Rx to Phil at RC Trains, he will test it to see if a fault has developed. They can be repaired.
Failing that, if you send the Rx to Phil at RC Trains, he will test it to see if a fault has developed. They can be repaired.
The best things in life are free.... so why am I doing this?
Re: Fairy Wood Light Railway
Have fun checking for the noise, all part of the joys of garden railways.
One trick for getting the gears quieter is to use bike chain lube. Muc off do a spray lube that is a synthetic heavy oil. It won't cure the problem but I have used it to good effect.
One trick for getting the gears quieter is to use bike chain lube. Muc off do a spray lube that is a synthetic heavy oil. It won't cure the problem but I have used it to good effect.
If at first you don't succeed, use a bigger hammer!
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