The Potters Orchid Railway

[Tropic Blunder]

Looking great mate! making fantastic progress really really quickly

[Peter Butler]

Not only is the work you do always to the highest standard, but the space you work in is kept in clean and tidy condition, essential for safe working and ability to find everything needed to complete the task efficiently. Top marks all round!

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

Not only is the work you do always to the highest standard, but the space you work in is kept in clean and tidy condition, essential for safe working and ability to find everything needed to complete the task efficiently. Top marks all round!

Thankyou, but it is rather gritty with sand and dirt and leaves underfoot at the moment.

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

This week Captain Plod received some samples to be considered for ballast on the Potters Orchid Railway. First one, 4-6mm stone, this scales to 64mm -114mm (16mm scale), that is much too large for railway ballast. Then a sample of 2-3mm granite chips arrives via ebay. (Angela at Stubbytuby succulents in South Australia, I also respect her secret source). Perfect size for good stone ballast and the it's angular shape. This one wins, so a few conversations on the phone and more colours are to arrive in the near future to compare and or mix, so finally after 4 years Plod has his ballast supply sorted. Plod has also started test colour samples for painting the rail sides. More on that later.

Suggested by some but this is far too big




The winner for size and shape is ....YAY !



[url=https://flic.kr/p/2nQdB6G]

One of this year's recent plantings in the cactus garden at Potters Junction has cute flowers for the first time.

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

and the intention is to use an Aussie equivalent of SBR to fix in place, when the next drought arrives, maybe next summer !
as learnt from this forum

[Peter Butler]

Time spent on research and sourcing correct material will be worthwhile. Your choice of small scale, angular, natural stone is best suited to fixing with SBR (or Aussie equivalent) and I have been using the method since about 2016, much of which is still in situ.
You do have an advantage in that your track base is concrete, therefore permanent and stable. Some of mine was on treated wooden boards with felt covering, which moved and perished, although the ballast was still firm.
Forum users can confirm the best way of applying the SBR is to soak the ballast thoroughly with undiluted SBR and then cover for a few days to protect from rain (a regular UK problem!) after which you will notice a colour change. Just ignore the alarming blue appearance... it will fade... eventually!
Try a test piece first, once set it needs a hammer and chisel to shift it.

[FWLR]

Love that cactus Dazza, well worth the wait. Does it flower more than once during its life time.

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

Time spent on research and sourcing correct material will be worthwhile. Your choice of small scale, angular, natural stone is best suited to fixing with SBR (or Aussie equivalent) and I have been using the method since about 2016, much of which is still in situ.
You do have an advantage in that your track base is concrete, therefore permanent and stable. Some of mine was on treated wooden boards with felt covering, which moved and perished, although the ballast was still firm.
Forum users can confirm the best way of applying the SBR is to soak the ballast thoroughly with undiluted SBR and then cover for a few days to protect from rain (a regular UK problem!) after which you will notice a colour change. Just ignore the alarming blue appearance... it will fade... eventually!
Try a test piece first, once set it needs a hammer and chisel to shift it.

I am intending to follow your words and music as some time ago saw your results and methods and stored that in the Mk 1 cranium computer.

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

Love that cactus Dazza, well worth the wait. Does it flower more than once during its life time.

It was only planted earlier this year, so we hope it flowers each year. I am pretty sure it will flower as long as it is still alive.

[Peter Butler]

If the Aussie SBR equivalent doesn't work I will naturally deny all responsibility... good luck.

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

Track laying commenced. Captain Plod lined up the entry point to the Terminus. He thinks if he gets this right the rest should follow on nicely. It was too bright for the LASER so a string line was used.



Plod had some assistance as Ben called in to have looksee and got to grips with Plod's method.



Mr Specture heard a whisper in the Pub last night that there was to be some track laying action over the weekend. His natural inspection and regulation instincts kick in and he made a surprise appearance at the POR's new terminus worksite.

"Blimey, this mob of foamers and dribblers are still here"





"Alignment is being maintained for screwing down, appears to being done satisfactorily. The bed needs work in some places with a concrete disc in an angle grinder to bring the line top to a satisfactory standard. No problems, just a wee fiddle here and there.







"Loop laid, second loop and loco service area to be laid today. Track laid out for kicks and giggles before retiring to the pub."

[FWLR]

Really impressed with your track laying. It's puts my "by eye'" to shame.

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

Track laying continued into Sunday and then Monday (Public holiday here for Lizzie)



Positioning the points correctly takes considerable time and effort. The track for the loco roads and access loop were plonked down for a visual idea.



Rail was rolled for the curve

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

The connection curve and the temporary ply wood bridge (to be replaced by a QR style trestle one day in the future) were in place just before the light faded, so Mr Specture was keen to do his first quick run over the new extension on the POR section car ("Zing Zing, driven by a still very pale Mr Starboard) . The POR staff were not to miss out on this bit of fun so they hooked on the permanent way flat top and all hopped on. Mr Specture frowned and sighed, but he relented and let this un-offical party have some joy. No doubt helped along with the nice red wine in celebration.

"Will you lot shut up and sit down or we will not be going any where!"


Off they set for the first run.



For three riders on the flat top this track laying caper brought back some memories.





Over the temporary bridge they go with much excitement (To be replaced with a QR style trestle brige when Captain Plod gets around to it)



"Temporary plywood bridge painted with primer by MAM is satisfactory , will need to be replaced within 12-18 months"





"All is satisfactory with what has been laid, only the usual normal adjustments to top and line and then completion of the loco roads and access."





" Time to get away from this lot of foamers dribblers, now off to the pub and I hope that nice lass is there with the .......

[FWLR]

Excellent work and they POR seem to be enjoying themselves.
Mr In.Specture looked dumbfounded with the crew.

[Old Man Aaron]

Beautifully flowing rails over a bulletproof foundation. Can't go wrong.

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

Beautifully flowing rails over a bulletproof foundation. Can't go wrong.

Bullet proof, ha, bomb proof from Lancasters dropping Tall Boys

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

Track laying was completed last night.
Mr Specture will be notified soon after the buffer stops are installed so he can sign on off on the certification for the track as fit for service.





Sharp eyes will see the 5mm alignment jiggle was required for the loco roads access.

[ge_rik]

Absolutely perfect. Everything precisely aligned.

Rik

[Trevor Thompson]

Stunning! Brilliant track laying.

And the formation looks impressive.

Trevor