The Hollycross Railway Company!

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Normandin
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Re: The Hollycross Railway Company!

Post by Normandin » Thu Oct 19, 2017 7:27 am

Wonderful layout. :D
Having a railway whatever it's size is better than no railway at all !

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Re: The Hollycross Railway Company!

Post by pippindoo » Thu Sep 13, 2018 3:29 pm

Down in the jungle, something stirred!...... Yes, tis I, back from yet another prolonged break but determined to battle on with Hollycross and get at least the top circuit running asap. So....anyone who remembers my previous antics will know, Lord Hollycross, Albert, balls of string etc all play a part in my Modus Operandi and its been no different these past few days, but as ever, a picture paints 1000 words so.... First off, we need to plot where we're going, cue stringline, half a brick to pull it tight, and an eyeball.... then hole, post, spirit level, Postmix, water. Done!
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You'll notice that I'm getting involved with plastic fence posts this time, the lines a bit higher up here so I want a bit of stability. The posts are easy to cut to length with an ordinary wood saw and rapid progress followed.
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This view looks the other way and also shows the garden drops away, hence the height difference, and also shows the branch junction. Ive 'borrowed' a few bits of filcris from elsewhere to get a line and set the gradient, more later. Next...
Another post in between, fixed in same as before. Now, this bit is 'interesting'! I've pondered many methods for bridging this gap across the corner of the path, including paving block piers, aluminium bridge deck, brick built viaduct etc, THEN, an old friend who's particular trade for 50+ years, has been building, repairing and trading in boats, and on a recent visit he happened to mention that ' he'd enough offcuts to knock up a portable/removable 6' long wooden trestle viaduct' and he'd love the chance to do a bit to help! Hmmm, so thats currently under consideration but it'd make a lovely and very photogenic addition. Anyway, onwards..
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The next bit involves turning through almost 180°, on a curve of just about 5' radius, to line up with the main line again at the point it comes through the steaming bay. So, peg, string line, aerosol paint, and Hey Presto! we have a line marked out on the lawn to guide us along. If you get this bit wrong, mow the lawn, have a beer, start afresh!. I didnt, so after another hour or so, this is the state of play. Good innit!?
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So we're well on the way with posts etc, theres another one to plant on this curve then filcris rails will be clamped to the BOTTOM inside edge for a few days to give them an inbuilt curve prior to fixing at the correct level. This will help to avoid the tendency of the posts being spread out of true, the filcris is really easy to work with, but is quite flexible but this will be to my advantage at this stage. The inside rail will be fixed level with the post tops first, then the outside rail fixed slightly higher to give a degree of cant in case anyone, Albert!!, is in a rush to get finished! I will also be fitting some sort of boundary too on the raised section, only an inch or so, but hopefully it will prevent any disasters if theres a derailment.
If you're still with me, a couple of photos to close with, which show progress to date. Cheers chaps, and chapesses! More soon!
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Re: The Hollycross Railway Company!

Post by tom_tom_go » Thu Sep 13, 2018 3:51 pm

Welcome back, I love your garden so looking forward to new progress.

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Re: The Hollycross Railway Company!

Post by Lonsdaler » Fri Sep 14, 2018 12:37 pm

I'd just 'roll' the lengths of filcris for a couple of days, they'll adopt (and pretty much keep) a curve in no time. Looking very good though - there'll be no bending down on your line! 8)
Phil

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My Line - https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 41&t=11077

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Re: The Hollycross Railway Company!

Post by pippindoo » Thu Nov 19, 2020 7:49 pm

Test post.

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LNR
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Re: The Hollycross Railway Company!

Post by LNR » Thu Nov 19, 2020 11:18 pm

Yes you've remembered how to do it!
Welcome back, be good to hear from you again.
Grant.

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Re: The Hollycross Railway Company!

Post by Andrew » Sat Nov 21, 2020 1:15 pm

LNR wrote: Thu Nov 19, 2020 11:18 pm Yes you've remembered how to do it!
Welcome back, be good to hear from you again.
Grant.
I'll second that! There were some interesting developments in progress last time we heard from you - and update would be most welcome!

All the best,

Andrew.

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Re: The Hollycross Railway Company!

Post by Soar Valley Light » Sun Nov 22, 2020 11:31 am

Hi pippindoo,

As others have said, it's great to see you posting again and to see some great progress on the Hollycross Railway. I've always enjoyed your posts. Your work on has been a source of encouragement to get me going during my own 'quieter periods'. I'm looking forward to seeing things develop on the new section and hopefully to seeing some more of the existing railway.

All the best,

Andrew
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"'cause I can't manage on three gaffer!"

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Re: The Hollycross Railway Company!

Post by pippindoo » Mon Nov 23, 2020 5:01 pm

Greetings all!! Back from the wilderness and almost fighting fit but raring to go too!. Had to take a sabbatical from most things Hollycross due to a hiccup with my health, but the last weekend saw some much awaited progress although possibly in a reverse direction at the moment. The railway has had to be somewhat rationalised for now, but I was determined to get Albert et al back to work and see something moving again. Ignore the weeds for now please! the garden in general has taken a back step too, plus it's that time of year but now I'm back into it, it'll start to come right in time. Ok, firstly, the main circuit that was well under way, has halved in size and now runs in a small loop around the top lawn, some at ground level, some on a Filcris frame as previously. It was a case of just needing to get a circuit up and running asap!
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Voila! The planned branch towards the front of the house is 'on hold' for now but certainly not abandoned. Avid readers will recall it left Hollycross Station Junction and began a steady descent for a few feet. This is the current state of play now, the junctions been realigned, relaid and reballasted
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Note provision has been made for a point lever and a junction signal! At the other junction, where the main line and the reversing line came together just after crossing the path, this is now plain line but....at a later stage, it won't take much to reinstate a junction to head off down the grade. You'll notice too that the original steaming bay by the tree has also gone.
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It's all quite dramatic, but at least it's a little railway again, and things can happen again....
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Last edited by pippindoo on Mon Nov 23, 2020 10:49 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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philipy
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Re: The Hollycross Railway Company!

Post by philipy » Mon Nov 23, 2020 5:17 pm

Sorry you've been under the weather but its good to see you back.
The railway looks fine and the garden certainly looks better than mine atm. :D
Philip

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Re: The Hollycross Railway Company!

Post by pippindoo » Mon Nov 23, 2020 6:00 pm

https://youtu.be/V3WkRGf8rBI

https://youtu.be/5lqeEFu-Yuk

I think that should work! Note that the hump before the crossing has since been removed, and also, that trains don't normally run so fast but I was so enthralled I didn't notice that as steam pressure increased, so did the speed! Also note, the PECO 30" radius curves after the crossing hold no fear for Albert!

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LNR
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Re: The Hollycross Railway Company!

Post by LNR » Mon Nov 23, 2020 10:27 pm

As Philip says, good to hear from you again and glad your health problem is behind you. Now that you have run a train you'll be spurred on I'm sure.
Grant.

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Re: The Hollycross Railway Company!

Post by ge_rik » Tue Nov 24, 2020 6:08 am

Great to see things up and running. Looking forward to hearing and seeing more.

Rik
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Andrew
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Re: The Hollycross Railway Company!

Post by Andrew » Wed Nov 25, 2020 1:25 pm

Nice to see the trains running so well after a hiatus - glad you're well again and back with us on the Forum.

Every time I see those carriages I wish I had some in that livery, I really like it...

All the best,

Andrew

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Re: The Hollycross Railway Company!

Post by pippindoo » Wed Nov 25, 2020 3:02 pm

Thank you everyone, good to be back in the group and hopefully make more progress soon. Andrew, I decided to go with an approximation of ex BR steam era liveries, lots of colour choices that way and the coaches are quite impressive in a rake or as part of a mixed passenger/goods train. I like the fact theyre a bit chunky too to match the Accucraft locos.

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Re: The Hollycross Railway Company!

Post by pippindoo » Sun Nov 29, 2020 4:15 pm

Afternoon peeps! Been a groggy old day hereabouts but I wanted to do a bit more tweaking to the railway to iron out the last few anomalies on the permanent way, so out came the tools and a few odd bits to use as packing. After an hour's crawling about and eye levelling, it was time to get a loco out, get a head of steam, and do a few test runs. And of course, if you're gonna run a loco, you might as well add a train!.....or 3! Enjoy.

https://youtu.be/gFGYaEB5Nrk

https://youtu.be/y320LkpL_dM

https://youtu.be/BHGmdS80J8I

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Re: The Hollycross Railway Company!

Post by ge_rik » Sun Nov 29, 2020 7:06 pm

Interesting mix of trains. Looks like you had a really satisfying running session.

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Re: The Hollycross Railway Company!

Post by LNR » Sun Nov 29, 2020 11:12 pm

It always seems the "Permanent" way is never permanent, still much as in the real railways I guess.
Good to see trains again on the Hollycross, and that your enjoying it.
Grant.

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Re: The Hollycross Railway Company!

Post by Andrew » Mon Nov 30, 2020 8:33 am

Now that looks like a rewarding afternoon! I particularly liked the mixed goods, and also the "express blue"/blood&custard livery combo on the passenger train, and I was VERY impressed with the good running you achieved with all those skips. Love the R/C whistle too - that's on my wish list to sort out one day!

All the best,

Andrew.

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Re: The Hollycross Railway Company!

Post by pippindoo » Tue Dec 01, 2020 3:39 pm

Thank so much Andrew, it was a nice couple of hours. The various liveries add a bit of 'railway' colour I feel, and the Binnie skips and bolster wagons have all got the Roy Wood (RWM) steel replacement wheelsets fitted. So much better having the bit of added weight and they sound great over track joints and pointwork!

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