Finally.. construction of the Tycroes Narrow Gauge Railway!!

DickH · Post by **DickH** » Wed Mar 26, 2014 10:02 pm

Peter Butler:98396 wrote:Excellent start Dick.... Blank canvas to work with, you can create whatever you want.
I bet the neighbours are curious?

Hi Peter, yes finally going - will start to lay track the weekend once things have dried. Neighbours to the left are fascinated - they watched me steam Katie on temporary track around the patio. The shed should be erected early next week to get the rolling stock from the garage etc.

Still very excited to visit your line so let me know when I can visit and you are welcome anytime.

Cheers!

bazzer42 · Post by **bazzer42** » Wed Mar 26, 2014 10:08 pm

Looking good, and I love the embankment idea. Personally I think the best photo shots are trains on embankments. Nice choice of locos owning lady ann and a katie.

Peter Butler · Post by **Peter Butler** » Wed Mar 26, 2014 10:31 pm

DickH:98403 wrote:
Still very excited to visit your line so let me know when I can visit and you are welcome anytime.

Cheers!

You would be most welcome..... I'll contact you personally ASAP

Big Jim · Post by **Big Jim** » Thu Mar 27, 2014 12:06 am

Looking good.
Flat ground to work on you lucky, lucky swine!!!!
If you fancy a swap you can have a go on my mountain side if you want.

DickH · Post by **DickH** » Thu Mar 27, 2014 7:29 am

Big Jim:98425 wrote:Looking good.
Flat ground to work on you lucky, lucky swine!!!!
If you fancy a swap you can have a go on my mountain side if you want.

Hi Big Jim, we ought to arrange some reciprocal visits as we live in the same principality and very impressed by your new shed - mine comes next week but its very humble compared to yours - I would guess in a few years time they will make a replica of it and tour like they are doing with Dylan Thomas's right now!!

DickH · Post by **DickH** » Thu Mar 27, 2014 7:30 am

your shed by the way not mine!!

DickH · Post by **DickH** » Thu Mar 27, 2014 8:14 pm

Even more exciting news about the Tycroes railway - Geoff at Lightlines just called to say that my two locomotives are ready for pick up after their paint jobs!!
Will travel up to his home on Monday to pick them up and will post pictures of them early next week - just need my "busybodies" ordered from Rob Bennet to arrive and we will be all set - need to get a move on next week with the track laying.

Big Jim · Post by **Big Jim** » Thu Mar 27, 2014 8:35 pm

Thanks for the shed compliments Dick.
And as they say its not the size that matters, it's what you do with it that counts.
A meet up would be great if we could organize it. I will have to have a shed warming party!
Jim

DickH · Post by **DickH** » Thu Mar 27, 2014 8:43 pm

Big Jim:98472 wrote:Thanks for the shed compliments Dick.
And as they say its not the size that matters, it's what you do with it that counts.
A meet up would be great if we could organize it. I will have to have a shed warming party!
Jim

That would be great - I'll bring the bubbly to christen the shed! I will organise a line opening party sometime in June.

DickH · Post by **DickH** » Sun Mar 30, 2014 3:35 pm

Glorious day in South Wales this morning - wonderful to see the sun. Laid the first 7 metres of "straight" track today - a lot of work!
In each Peco SM32 900mm straight I'm drilling three fixing points and countersinking the sleepers. 7mm holes and raw plugs in the blocks and then stainless screws - screw head being hidden by brown plastic cap.
Biggest issue has been drilling in the exact positions on the blocks as the drill moves initially, even at slow speed. Anyway is giving the track some "character".
Off up to Yorkshire early in the morning to pick up my two locos from Geoff at Lightlines after their paint job. Will post some photos of the locos and the start of the track laying on Wednesday.

Post by **Andrew** » Sun Mar 30, 2014 4:33 pm

Hello!

I'm very envious at the speed with which you're progressing - keep up the good work!

All the best,

Andrew.

Soar Valley Light · Post by **Soar Valley Light** » Sun Mar 30, 2014 7:47 pm

Me too!

I've got some significant terra-forming to do before the pway contractors can start on site. And before any of that the surveyors need to furnish the design engineers with the final survey plans so that detailed design drawings can be finalised!

Andrew

Big Jim · Post by **Big Jim** » Sun Mar 30, 2014 10:03 pm

Regarding your problems with getting the drill bit to stay in the right place.
Try using a 6 inch nail and a hammer to make a pilot dimple in the right place, just enough to guide the bit. You may need a few nails if they blunt quickly (or grind them sharp again)
I may be wrong but I think Rawlplug used to sell a tool just for this purpose.

DickH · Post by **DickH** » Sun Mar 30, 2014 11:14 pm

Big Jim:98624 wrote:Regarding your problems with getting the drill bit to stay in the right place.
Try using a 6 inch nail and a hammer to make a pilot dimple in the right place, just enough to guide the bit. You may need a few nails if they blunt quickly (or grind them sharp again)
I may be wrong but I think Rawlplug used to sell a tool just for this purpose.

Thanks Jim - I will give it a try. I have been using a 4mm bit as a pilot for the 7mm but its just the rough surface of the blocks - the drill tends to find the nearest cavity to drop into when its starts drilling but as I said its giving the line some realistic "character"!!

DickH · Post by **DickH** » Tue Apr 01, 2014 5:41 pm

As promised yesterday below are some photos of my two locos after their paint job with Jeff at Lightlines and the addition of Locoworks running boards and steps and working lamps - all that remains to finish them is their new nameplates and engine numbers from Narrowplanet. They will be named after local castles with the Silver Lady becoming "Carreg Cennen Castle" and Katie becoming "Dryslwyn Castle"

Peter Butler · Post by **Peter Butler** » Tue Apr 01, 2014 6:58 pm

They are just stunning!!!!! You must be absolutely delighted!
I like the naming theme too. If you try to name each loco after local West Wales castles I think you will soon have a garden full.
We must arrange a running session on my railway and post pictures of them in action.

KNO3 · Post by **KNO3** » Tue Apr 01, 2014 7:02 pm

They look beautiful in their matching liveries!

Post by **Andrew** » Tue Apr 01, 2014 8:58 pm

Lovely! I particularly like the Katie... Yes, looking forward to photos of them running...

Andrew.

LMS-Jools · Post by **LMS-Jools** » Tue Apr 01, 2014 9:51 pm

I agree, a stunning pair of Loco's.

DickH · Post by **DickH** » Tue Apr 01, 2014 10:31 pm

Peter Butler:98722 wrote:They are just stunning!!!!! You must be absolutely delighted!
I like the naming theme too. If you try to name each loco after local West Wales castles I think you will soon have a garden full.
We must arrange a running session on my railway and post pictures of them in action.

Thanks Peter - yes very pleased and now very keen to get my track laid hopefully by this weekend, but would still like to come visit the Master's railway!

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Finally.. construction of the Tycroes Narrow Gauge Railway!!

Started the track laying

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