The Bishop's Woodland Light Railway (BWLR)

A place for the discussion of garden railways and any garden style/scale portable and/or indoor layouts
User avatar
BWLR
Cleaner
Cleaner
Posts: 84
Joined: Sat Feb 03, 2018 11:09 am
Location: North Yorkshire, UK

Re: The Bishop's Woodland Light Railway (BWLR)

Post by BWLR » Tue Jun 29, 2021 6:01 pm

A new scenic addition to the line.

The buildings on the railway are a mix of scratchbuilt and some kits, mainly resin. As part of the rebuilding of Bishop's Hutton Station I included a siding for a lineside industry, with the intention of this being the Bishop's Hutton Brewery. Early this year I started work on a substantial brewery using foam board as the basic structure. However it has become apparent that I just won't get it finished in the near future, so have been thinking about getting a suitable kit to put on that siding as a temporary measure (and then could re-purpose elsewhere as and when I finish the other one).

However at Peterborough I spotted something on the Miniature Building Company stand that looked ideal and was ready to go. It is already in use...

I think it looks rather good.

IMG_0762_1024.jpg
IMG_0762_1024.jpg (246.73 KiB) Viewed 5509 times
Bishops Woodland Light Railway - Youtube

User avatar
philipy
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 5000
Joined: Sun Jan 30, 2011 3:00 pm
Location: South Northants

Re: The Bishop's Woodland Light Railway (BWLR)

Post by philipy » Tue Jun 29, 2021 6:20 pm

Looks perfect. Nice find.
Philip

User avatar
Lonsdaler
Driver
Driver
Posts: 1223
Joined: Tue May 20, 2014 9:50 am
Location: North Yorkshire

Re: The Bishop's Woodland Light Railway (BWLR)

Post by Lonsdaler » Tue Jun 29, 2021 11:23 pm

That's very nice. He doesn't seem to have a website, but has a facebook page I see. https://www.facebook.com/grahamarmitagembc
Phil

Sporadic Garden Railer who's inconsistencies know no bounds

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

User avatar
ge_rik
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 6477
Joined: Sun Oct 25, 2009 10:20 pm
Location: Cheshire
Contact:

Re: The Bishop's Woodland Light Railway (BWLR)

Post by ge_rik » Wed Jun 30, 2021 11:17 am

No idea why I've missed this thread. What a lovely looking railway. As someone has said, the epitome of classic garden railway modelling.

Rik
------------------------
Peckforton Light Railway - Blog Facebook Youtube

User avatar
BWLR
Cleaner
Cleaner
Posts: 84
Joined: Sat Feb 03, 2018 11:09 am
Location: North Yorkshire, UK

Re: The Bishop's Woodland Light Railway (BWLR)

Post by BWLR » Sun Apr 03, 2022 12:06 pm

I've not posted on this thread for a while. Its not so much that I haven't been up to much with the railway, just never get round to posting too often! You may have seen my Soller tram car in one of the other threads, so that is one project I've been working on over the winter. I've also renovated one of my wooden bridges, and recently carried out a little bit of track renewal and realignment (more of that to come later)

However one thing I've not previously got round to doing is to make a track plan of the railway and show how it fits into the garden, so here you are!
BWLR plan 2.jpg
BWLR plan 2.jpg (442.86 KiB) Viewed 4863 times
Bishops Woodland Light Railway - Youtube

User avatar
ge_rik
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 6477
Joined: Sun Oct 25, 2009 10:20 pm
Location: Cheshire
Contact:

Re: The Bishop's Woodland Light Railway (BWLR)

Post by ge_rik » Sun Apr 03, 2022 2:01 pm

What a beautiful track plan!
Do you take commissions? :D

Rik
------------------------
Peckforton Light Railway - Blog Facebook Youtube

User avatar
ge_rik
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 6477
Joined: Sun Oct 25, 2009 10:20 pm
Location: Cheshire
Contact:

Re: The Bishop's Woodland Light Railway (BWLR)

Post by ge_rik » Sun Apr 03, 2022 2:08 pm

BWLR wrote: Sun May 09, 2021 9:10 pm
How do you operate the terminus behind the shed?! It looks to be a very tight squeeze!
It is! However it's not quite as bad as it seems from the photos, as there is good access from the side of the shed to the buffer stop end of the station(from whence the photos are taken) and access round the other side to the points at the station throat. The is also enough room in the area next to the fence to operate the entire station if needed but it is a bit tight. It isn't ideal and i'd love to move the shed in the longer term.
How about some wide access flaps for the station from the shed? They could be fun, especially if you have children visiting..... :D

Rik
------------------------
Peckforton Light Railway - Blog Facebook Youtube

User avatar
BWLR
Cleaner
Cleaner
Posts: 84
Joined: Sat Feb 03, 2018 11:09 am
Location: North Yorkshire, UK

Re: The Bishop's Woodland Light Railway (BWLR)

Post by BWLR » Sun Apr 03, 2022 2:26 pm

ge_rik wrote: Sun Apr 03, 2022 2:08 pm
BWLR wrote: Sun May 09, 2021 9:10 pm
How do you operate the terminus behind the shed?! It looks to be a very tight squeeze!
It is! However it's not quite as bad as it seems from the photos, as there is good access from the side of the shed to the buffer stop end of the station(from whence the photos are taken) and access round the other side to the points at the station throat. The is also enough room in the area next to the fence to operate the entire station if needed but it is a bit tight. It isn't ideal and i'd love to move the shed in the longer term.
How about some wide access flaps for the station from the shed? They could be fun, especially if you have children visiting..... :D

Rik
I have thought about something along those lines. However they would have to clamber past the lawnmower and various other pieces of gardenalia to get to it!. If I ever get round to getting a different shed or renovating the existing one, I will bear it in mind! :D
Bishops Woodland Light Railway - Youtube

User avatar
BWLR
Cleaner
Cleaner
Posts: 84
Joined: Sat Feb 03, 2018 11:09 am
Location: North Yorkshire, UK

Re: The Bishop's Woodland Light Railway (BWLR)

Post by BWLR » Sun Apr 03, 2022 3:05 pm

More about the track realignment. As the railway and the range of motive power I have acquired has developed its has become apparent that here and there some changes could be made to facilitate easier running, particularly for manual control steam engines.

The first change I've made is where the line runs behind the smaller shed by the hedge. The last part of the curve is perhaps a little too tight and there is a little bit of a gradient as well which doesn't help. Also it is right next to a large tree trunk and the slow growth of it over the last 6 or 7 years since I first laid the track has reduced clearance, so it really needed improving. This section of line also seems prone to having animals digging, pecking etc and the ballast keeps getting covered in debris from that and leaves and twigs.
IMG_2710_1.jpg
IMG_2710_1.jpg (386.59 KiB) Viewed 4235 times
So I've slewed the track slightly, so the curve blends more into the straight section. this has allowed an increased radius in the tighter part of the curve.
IMG_2757_1.jpg
IMG_2757_1.jpg (594.58 KiB) Viewed 4235 times
Once I had the track in place, i was able to carefully adjust the levels before final ballasting.
IMG_2763_1.jpg
IMG_2763_1.jpg (602.55 KiB) Viewed 4235 times
It looks a lot better, and so far seems to be easing the passage of trains (although I've only run a small number of trains on it yet!). I suspect I won't solve the issue of debris accumulating as this corner is a trap for anything like that.
Bishops Woodland Light Railway - Youtube

User avatar
SimonWood
Trainee Driver
Trainee Driver
Posts: 652
Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2015 9:46 pm
Location: West Wales
Contact:

Re: The Bishop's Woodland Light Railway (BWLR)

Post by SimonWood » Fri Apr 08, 2022 5:25 pm

BWLR wrote: Sun Apr 03, 2022 12:06 pm However one thing I've not previously got round to doing is to make a track plan of the railway and show how it fits into the garden, so here you are!
Track plan? This is a work of art.

User avatar
Andrew
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 3247
Joined: Tue Jul 03, 2012 1:33 pm
Location: Bristol, UK
Contact:

Re: The Bishop's Woodland Light Railway (BWLR)

Post by Andrew » Sat Apr 09, 2022 6:12 pm

SimonWood wrote: Fri Apr 08, 2022 5:25 pm Track plan? This is a work of art.
I knew there was a post I'd been meaning to reply to lately - but Simon's done it for me!

User avatar
Lonsdaler
Driver
Driver
Posts: 1223
Joined: Tue May 20, 2014 9:50 am
Location: North Yorkshire

Re: The Bishop's Woodland Light Railway (BWLR)

Post by Lonsdaler » Sun Apr 10, 2022 6:12 pm

SimonWood wrote: Fri Apr 08, 2022 5:25 pm
BWLR wrote: Sun Apr 03, 2022 12:06 pm However one thing I've not previously got round to doing is to make a track plan of the railway and show how it fits into the garden, so here you are!
Track plan? This is a work of art.
It is a very presentable track plan. That would be worthy of framing on a wall where it can be appreciated 👍
Phil

Sporadic Garden Railer who's inconsistencies know no bounds

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

User avatar
BWLR
Cleaner
Cleaner
Posts: 84
Joined: Sat Feb 03, 2018 11:09 am
Location: North Yorkshire, UK

Re: The Bishop's Woodland Light Railway (BWLR)

Post by BWLR » Sun Aug 14, 2022 10:04 am

It has been a while since I updated this thread. I’ve had some family issues recently which have taken up a lot of my spare time. My dad had a major stroke in early May and hasn't made much of a recovery, and then soon after my mum fell out of bed and managed to severely aggravate the mobility issues she had due to an arthritic hip. So the consequent visiting and care duties haven’t allowed me to do anywhere near as much running of the railway as I was hoping thus far this summer :(

However I have made a little progress on various jobs. All the stations now have nice running in boards so passengers know what station they are at. Bishops Hutton has gained a nice picket fence which matches the others on the line. Wallace Bridge Halt has had a bit of a refurb, and the next door micro pub, the Fat Cat has had a beer garden installed and signage and some fencing. Some pics of these developments to follow

I’ve also made an impulse purchase of a new steam loco. When I say “impulse” I had been considering it for a while and trying desperately to resist…

It’s an Accucraft Cranmore Peckett.
3230A029-9763-43BB-88CC-3E9B271F87FB.jpeg
3230A029-9763-43BB-88CC-3E9B271F87FB.jpeg (556.16 KiB) Viewed 3356 times
As you will know, I have a Lilla and you might get the impression that I’m a sucker for cute saddle tanks (you’d be right! :lol: )

I love Pecketts and this is diminutive it makes Lilla look big! Now I had some misgivings about buying one as it’s manual and my experience with manual locos on my line is that they need to be followed round the garden to adjust the regulator, which can be a pain. Also the cab is small and open backed so fitting r/c without it looking obstrusive isn’t a simple task.

So it arrived and after finding it a tad temperamental at first to get steaming (the safety valve seemed to be bit sticky- something noted in at least one review of the loco, which suggests mine wasn’t a one off) it was time to see how it stretched it’s legs on a run round the garden. I couldn’t actually believe my eyes, as this pretty little engine picked its way round my rather curvy railway through the tightest radius bends and up the 1 in 38 without stopping and at a lovely leisurely pace. In fact once you find the perfect regulator setting it will do several circuits with a decent train of a few wagons without me having to even touch it even once… 8) occasionally it will slow to stop on a tight section only to pause a few seconds and then chug off. I can only recommend these sweet little locos especially if you have a line with small radius curves and gradients, it has tiny wheels and a very short wheelbase which is probably a big part of the reason for this performance.

I also managed to fit in a visit to the NGRS at Peterborough (and a first visit to the Nene Valley the following day) , so despite family problems it does appear I’ve managed to fit a fair bit of railway stuff. I just haven’t found the time to post it here! :lol:
Bishops Woodland Light Railway - Youtube

User avatar
FWLR
Driver
Driver
Posts: 4245
Joined: Sat Aug 05, 2017 9:45 am
Location: Preston, Lancashire, UK

Re: The Bishop's Woodland Light Railway (BWLR)

Post by FWLR » Sun Aug 14, 2022 10:58 am

We all have things that restrict us sometimes and it is a flipping nuisance, it stops you doing things you like doing, like our hobby. I should know after having my own health issues. But that's in the past and we move on when we can.

Like the new Cranmore Peckett, it does look very nice. I myself would however prefer r/c model, mainly because whatever line I have built it never seems to come out level no matter what I do.. :lol: :lol:

Still it does make me and the grandkids learn how to drive a loco, whether it is steam or battery powered. Keep up with the updates please and yes, more photos too... :thumbright:

User avatar
philipy
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 5000
Joined: Sun Jan 30, 2011 3:00 pm
Location: South Northants

Re: The Bishop's Woodland Light Railway (BWLR)

Post by philipy » Sun Aug 14, 2022 12:37 pm

BWLR wrote: Sun Aug 14, 2022 10:04 am
It’s an Accucraft Cranmore Peckett.3230A029-9763-43BB-88CC-3E9B271F87FB.jpeg

That is a lovely looking little loco. Any chance of some video?
Philip

User avatar
BWLR
Cleaner
Cleaner
Posts: 84
Joined: Sat Feb 03, 2018 11:09 am
Location: North Yorkshire, UK

Re: The Bishop's Woodland Light Railway (BWLR)

Post by BWLR » Sun Aug 14, 2022 1:05 pm

philipy wrote: Sun Aug 14, 2022 12:37 pm
BWLR wrote: Sun Aug 14, 2022 10:04 am
It’s an Accucraft Cranmore Peckett.3230A029-9763-43BB-88CC-3E9B271F87FB.jpeg

That is a lovely looking little loco. Any chance of some video?
Hi Phil, I did put a clip on Twitter a while back but I plan to get some better footage sorted soon and put it on YouTube:

https://twitter.com/bwlrpeter/status/15 ... hAtK3AoPJw
Bishops Woodland Light Railway - Youtube

hoppy504
Cleaner
Cleaner
Posts: 12
Joined: Wed Mar 23, 2022 1:19 pm
Location: Skegness

Re: The Bishop's Woodland Light Railway (BWLR)

Post by hoppy504 » Sun Aug 14, 2022 1:35 pm

Great looking layout, nice to see a wildlife friendly garden, my wife wants to know do you have frogs in the pond ?
By the way good looking loco in the video.

User avatar
SimonWood
Trainee Driver
Trainee Driver
Posts: 652
Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2015 9:46 pm
Location: West Wales
Contact:

Re: The Bishop's Woodland Light Railway (BWLR)

Post by SimonWood » Sun Aug 14, 2022 2:51 pm

BWLR wrote: Sun Aug 14, 2022 1:05 pm Hi Phil, I did put a clip on Twitter a while back but I plan to get some better footage sorted soon and put it on YouTube:

https://twitter.com/bwlrpeter/status/15 ... hAtK3AoPJw
Beautiful looking loco and from that clip and amazing runner. I do enjoy running manual locos... but I must not be tempted!

User avatar
philipy
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 5000
Joined: Sun Jan 30, 2011 3:00 pm
Location: South Northants

Re: The Bishop's Woodland Light Railway (BWLR)

Post by philipy » Sun Aug 14, 2022 4:02 pm

BWLR wrote: Sun Aug 14, 2022 1:05 pm
Hi Phil, I did put a clip on Twitter a while back but I plan to get some better footage sorted soon and put it on YouTube:

https://twitter.com/bwlrpeter/status/15 ... hAtK3AoPJw
[/quote]

Cheers Peter. Not sure which I nevy most, the loco or the garden! Both are beautiful.
Philip

User avatar
BWLR
Cleaner
Cleaner
Posts: 84
Joined: Sat Feb 03, 2018 11:09 am
Location: North Yorkshire, UK

Re: The Bishop's Woodland Light Railway (BWLR)

Post by BWLR » Sun Aug 14, 2022 5:25 pm

hoppy504 wrote: Sun Aug 14, 2022 1:35 pm Great looking layout, nice to see a wildlife friendly garden, my wife wants to know do you have frogs in the pond ?
By the way good looking loco in the video.
There is an odd frog or two that turn up from time to time. Usually jumping out of the undergrowth near the pond on the rare occasion I decide to give it a little tidy up. It tends to give you a bit of a shock when they do! :)

I’d like to keep some areas of the garden a bit wild and unkept and a wide range of plants. Got to keep the wee beasties happy!
Bishops Woodland Light Railway - Youtube

Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest