The Gables Garden Railway (7 1/4")

[Nomis]

Building a higher capacity wagon for hauling larger construction loads:

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[Nomis]

The first 5 tons (!) of ballast is delivered:

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[tom_tom_go]

I have more questions when you have finished your posts but I have to ask now did you dig all this without any mechanical equipment?!

[Nomis]

Fortunately I had some help in spreading it:

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[Nomis]

No mechanical digger - just a spade and a lot of excercise!

I have a desk job monday-friday, so this saves on a gym membership at least!

[Nomis]

The Marie Estelle loco in steam:



And a low level view of the ballasted track:

[Nomis]

Building bridge piers:

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And the bridge itself:

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Load testing:

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The bridge took all this, plus two adults sat on top (around 400kg on two axles).

[Nomis]

Pushing onwards, the embankment is blockwork on the "front" and stacked turf at the "back"

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[Nomis]

As the garden slopes, and the soil is largely clay, I had to allow for rainwater to easily run off - the next section of track is therefore a 32' long trestle constructed using landscaping sleepers on concrete block piers.

Pouring foundations:

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Transporting materials:

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[Nomis]

Building piers and laying trestle timbers. I intentionally left a gap between the timbers to allow rainwater to drain - the ballast is retained by a layer of steel mesh and landscape fabric:

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[Nomis]

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Dad rebuilt an old Roanoke diesel loco for the Kensey Valley railway. It came to the gables for initial track testing:

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With an 800W motor in the loco, and another in the tender, it is a very powerful machine....

[Nomis]

Meanwhile, my wren steam loco "Jynn" had been nearing completion at south west steam.

The coming of the new loco has meant the sale of the Marie Estelle (although it is very likely to return for a visit).

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[Nomis]

Over last winter, the raised station area alongside the decking was built.

This was a long job (it is about 6' wide and 30' long), using about 100 blocks, and 8 tons of fill....

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And yes, it does get cold in Cornwall!

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[Nomis]

A winter steam up:

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[Nomis]

When my wife bought a new kiln, there was only one way to move it into the garden:

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A chance nearby sale of a commercial passenger coach was too good to pass up - even though it would need a complete rebuild to suit my needs:

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[Nomis]

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[Nomis]

Running in Jynn:

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[Nomis]

There are more pics to come, but I might have a break for now....

[Peter Butler]

There are more pics to come, but I might have a break for now....

Phew!!! you and me both, I have been hooked on this all morning waiting for the next episode. I don't do ride-on railways but the construction and development of this has had me completely engrossed.
There is something much more satisfying about your hands-on approach which I certainly applaud, mechanical diggers may be quicker but create other damage which contractors are unlikely to restore afterwards. Also, 'outsiders' don't have your vision of what you are trying to achieve and compromises become inevitable.
Excellent stuff..... ready for more now!

[tom_tom_go]

I meant did he hire mechanical equipment not employ contractors Peter.