A Light Railway for the Western Dales
Re: A Light Railway for the Western Dales
I can't believe it's been 4 years since I contributed to this thread about my line, but I'm going to try to make amends, and by necessity that means much of this is catch up. The initial spur for the railway was the alleged Housedown Pottery, outside Black Burton. Keen enthusiasts set to building a railway to serve the Western Dales initially utilising much of the engineering done for the light railway that served the pottery.
Of course, for the story to hold up, I needed the remains of a pottery. As the photo in the first post in this thread shows, that initially consisted of a basic 'shell', half collapsed/demolished, constructed from 5mm foamboard scored and cut to resemble the remains of a pottery building, with small vestiges of the roof and supporting timbers remaining.
However a pottery requires a kiln, so I decided to attempt a bottle kiln. The ideal former for such a kiln would of course be a large bottle - say, a champagne Jeroboam? Unfortunately I didn't have one, and couldn't find anyone who did so I opted instead for a standard sparkling wine bottle. I cut many blocks from 5mm foamboard, and used superglue to adhere them to the outside of the bottle
This gave me the basic shape. The corners were sanded off the 'blocks' and then the whole was covered in exterior grout to fill the gaps and tie the blocks together, and a chimney was formed at the top, completely enclosing the bottle.
As the pottery was now derelict, a rough redbrick wall was constructed to block the kiln firing entrance, and a suitable sign was handpainted to deter adventurous souls form risking life and limb. The finished result was quite effective, and so took its place on the railway, adjacent to the derelict pottery building.
Since that time (2014) both the building and kiln have been permanent fixtures on the railway (see photo below) - the kiln is now starting to show signs of deterioration which will require cosmetic work if it is to survive much longer.
Indeed so great is the concern regarding the state of the building and kiln, that we were graced with a visit by archaeologists from the well known TV programme, Time Team, who have expressed an interest in many features in the vicinity of the railway. Who knows, maybe one day Housedown Pottery will be on TV .
Of course, for the story to hold up, I needed the remains of a pottery. As the photo in the first post in this thread shows, that initially consisted of a basic 'shell', half collapsed/demolished, constructed from 5mm foamboard scored and cut to resemble the remains of a pottery building, with small vestiges of the roof and supporting timbers remaining.
However a pottery requires a kiln, so I decided to attempt a bottle kiln. The ideal former for such a kiln would of course be a large bottle - say, a champagne Jeroboam? Unfortunately I didn't have one, and couldn't find anyone who did so I opted instead for a standard sparkling wine bottle. I cut many blocks from 5mm foamboard, and used superglue to adhere them to the outside of the bottle
This gave me the basic shape. The corners were sanded off the 'blocks' and then the whole was covered in exterior grout to fill the gaps and tie the blocks together, and a chimney was formed at the top, completely enclosing the bottle.
As the pottery was now derelict, a rough redbrick wall was constructed to block the kiln firing entrance, and a suitable sign was handpainted to deter adventurous souls form risking life and limb. The finished result was quite effective, and so took its place on the railway, adjacent to the derelict pottery building.
Since that time (2014) both the building and kiln have been permanent fixtures on the railway (see photo below) - the kiln is now starting to show signs of deterioration which will require cosmetic work if it is to survive much longer.
Indeed so great is the concern regarding the state of the building and kiln, that we were graced with a visit by archaeologists from the well known TV programme, Time Team, who have expressed an interest in many features in the vicinity of the railway. Who knows, maybe one day Housedown Pottery will be on TV .
Phil
Sporadic Garden Railer who's inconsistencies know no bounds
My Line - https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 41&t=11077
Sporadic Garden Railer who's inconsistencies know no bounds
My Line - https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 41&t=11077
Re: A Light Railway for the Western Dales
Brilliant Phil!
Presumably Messrs Harding, Robinson and Aston are modelled in Das or similar? That is some amazing scuplting technique.
Presumably Messrs Harding, Robinson and Aston are modelled in Das or similar? That is some amazing scuplting technique.
Philip
Re: A Light Railway for the Western Dales
I really do need to come and see plus run something on your line Phil. I love the kiln.
You do have a brilliant imagination and brilliantly built and painted also.
You do have a brilliant imagination and brilliantly built and painted also.
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: A Light Railway for the Western Dales
Brilliant. That is a delightful scenic feature.
Don
Don
Re: A Light Railway for the Western Dales
Philip,
I can claim no credit for the moulding of the figures, they are from Pendle Valley, who I believe have taken over Rob Bennett's moulds. I did however, paint them. Raksha is there as well, as usual on her knees in a small trench!
Phil
Sporadic Garden Railer who's inconsistencies know no bounds
My Line - https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 41&t=11077
Sporadic Garden Railer who's inconsistencies know no bounds
My Line - https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 41&t=11077
Re: A Light Railway for the Western Dales
Thank you Rod,
I sometimes think people who see the railway often need to have some imagination too
You will be welcome to come up as soon as I have a date in mind.
Phil
Sporadic Garden Railer who's inconsistencies know no bounds
My Line - https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 41&t=11077
Sporadic Garden Railer who's inconsistencies know no bounds
My Line - https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 41&t=11077
Re: A Light Railway for the Western Dales
Just to finish about the pottery, this is the bottle kiln today. Looking decidedly ragged, and some of the lower blocks have parted company - I think thanks to birds foraging for insects etc. The pale edges are a result of friction from nearby bushes and plants. Considering it's been exposed to the elements for 7 years now, I don't think it's fairing too badly.
Phil
Sporadic Garden Railer who's inconsistencies know no bounds
My Line - https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 41&t=11077
Sporadic Garden Railer who's inconsistencies know no bounds
My Line - https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 41&t=11077
Re: A Light Railway for the Western Dales
I think it now looks properly aged, nothing beats nature to make things look old (I just checked by looking in the mirror )Lonsdaler wrote: βTue May 11, 2021 1:19 pm Just to finish about the pottery, this is the bottle kiln today. Looking decidedly ragged, and some of the lower blocks have parted company - I think thanks to birds foraging for insects etc. The pale edges are a result of friction from nearby bushes and plants. Considering it's been exposed to the elements for 7 years now, I don't think it's fairing too badly.
Re: A Light Railway for the Western Dales
I take my glasses off when looking in the mirror. Not a wrinkle to be seen
Phil
Sporadic Garden Railer who's inconsistencies know no bounds
My Line - https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 41&t=11077
Sporadic Garden Railer who's inconsistencies know no bounds
My Line - https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 41&t=11077
Re: A Light Railway for the Western Dales
We would love to come when we are able Phil.
The last photo of your kiln looks even better I feel. The moss and the rest of the encroaching greenery do make it look more like an abandoned building...
The last photo of your kiln looks even better I feel. The moss and the rest of the encroaching greenery do make it look more like an abandoned building...
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: A Light Railway for the Western Dales
Love the kiln, weathered or otherwise. And that triangular junction too...
Andrew.
Andrew.
Re: A Light Railway for the Western Dales
Thanks Andrew. The triangular junction allows many combinations of route to be followed, and also makes changing direction very easy too.
Phil
Sporadic Garden Railer who's inconsistencies know no bounds
My Line - https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 41&t=11077
Sporadic Garden Railer who's inconsistencies know no bounds
My Line - https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 41&t=11077
- Sylvian Tennant
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Re: A Light Railway for the Western Dales
Some lovely work there fellah. I'm also loving your quadrupedal admirers.
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Re: A Light Railway for the Western Dales
Thank you. And, indeed! We've had to resort to a short electrified fence to discourage each years herd from eating the ballast, line, scenery, etc etcSylvian Tennant wrote: βFri Jun 04, 2021 9:56 am Some lovely work there fellah. I'm also loving your quadrupedal admirers.
Phil
Sporadic Garden Railer who's inconsistencies know no bounds
My Line - https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 41&t=11077
Sporadic Garden Railer who's inconsistencies know no bounds
My Line - https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 41&t=11077
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