Time to build a railway...but where?

A place for the discussion of garden railways and any garden style/scale portable and/or indoor layouts
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hussra
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Post by hussra » Fri Dec 28, 2012 9:06 pm

Hmmm, I can see the difficulty. There seem to be a few 16mm members scattered around, but of course the membership list doesn't indicate who actually has a railway. Laurie Wright's Cwmcoediog Railway in Aberystwyth - quite a trek, mind? Or combine that with a trip up to the Llechfan Garden Railway? I think there are some more in south Wales and the Valleys, but again that's quite a trek across for you.
Richard Huss
in sunny Solihull

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Peter Butler
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Post by Peter Butler » Fri Dec 28, 2012 11:01 pm

Richard, thanks for your reply and understanding..... I have been exhibiting at a Carmarthen Toy and Train fair today and asking local exhibition organisers and model rail club members about their knowledge of potential garden railway owners and have still met with a negative response.
Aberystwith is certainly within reach....I have even made the journey by bus, using my pass! (the bus stops outside my house and goes all the way). If Laurie Wright is contactable via the Forum (or otherwise) I am able to go there by car too.
I am now checking where Llechfan is located to see whether that is a viable proposition at the same time.
Peter.

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hussra
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Post by hussra » Sat Dec 29, 2012 8:56 am

Peter Butler:78581 wrote:If Laurie Wright is contactable via the Forum (or otherwise) I am able to go there by car too.
Will PM details, or he's in the 16mm membership list.
Peter Butler:78581 wrote:I am now checking where Llechfan is located to see whether that is a viable proposition at the same time.
Llechfan is at the Talyllyn Railway's terminus at Tywyn Wharf - contact Steve and Kes via the contact form at http://www.llechfan-garden-railway.org/

The most recent Association membership list I have (on the 2012 DVD) shows 7 members (including yourself) in Carmarthenshire and 8 in Pembrokeshire and some more in Ceredigion, including a few down your end of the county. This of course doesn't mean that any of them have garden railways.

I don't think any of my local model railway club members would know I have a garden railway - I don't really do indoor model railways any more. It's depressingly easy for a garden railway to remain hidden - there was one 200 yards down the road from me, which I only found out about after the chap died.
Richard Huss
in sunny Solihull

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Peter Butler
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Post by Peter Butler » Sun Feb 03, 2013 10:17 pm

Long delay, but much progress to report!
I did manage to contact, and visit, Laurie Wright (many thanks for the contact information Hussra).... His Garden Railway is a delight, and he and his wife are extremely pleasant people willing to discuss their achievements over the difficult terrain.
If they can build a Garden Railway on a 1 in 4 slope then I can make it happen on my patch!
Despite the poor weather (again) much work has taken place in and around the shed. The layout has been altered to fit the available space which is 18ft long. This required one section being cut across its width. The materials include softwood framing, plywood baseboard, Modroc, plaster, real stone ballast, ground cover scatter and other scenic details. Not a problem for a 10 inch angle grinder!!! Mission accomplished with absolutely no damage whatsoever, apart from the one section becoming two!
The exit from the Station end of the board has two tracks which go outside to the Garden Railway part of the line. Two holes were cut in the shed wall and disguised with overbridges.
The sky paper is excellent in adding a finish without being too fussy.
I have also cut a doorway in the end wall to allow access and viewing directly from inside to the Garden section.
Next will be to begin laying the supports to get the track from the shed to reach the ground when the height has increased to the same level. I have a track plan in mind and 150ft of track waiting to be laid...Just waiting for it to stop raining.
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Peter Butler
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Post by Peter Butler » Sun Feb 03, 2013 10:23 pm

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I have sent this separately as it refused to co-operate the first time. I hope it shows more clearly what I tried to explain in the text.

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hussra
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Post by hussra » Mon Feb 04, 2013 9:54 am

Excellent news that plans have been laid and are just waiting for the weather. Roll on the tracklaying! (And lovely to see another snippet of the indoor line - looking really good.)
Richard Huss
in sunny Solihull

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Peter Butler
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Post by Peter Butler » Mon Feb 25, 2013 4:04 pm

Although it is cold here in the West, it has at least been dry for some days now. Also, despite a short stay in hospital, I have been able to move forward with the interior of the shed and complete the installation of the layout as well as adding some homely features!

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The exit end of the shed with completed overbridges and new door installed.

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The opposite end of the line where uncoupled locos will run-round behind the station.

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The view from the operating position of the layout where the point and signal switch panel will be located. This gives an idea of my blank canvas to work on with the ground gently rising to meet the level of the track. I will keep the track flat and level.

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Outside the shed showing the position where the tracks exit the shed and head into the great outdoors. Work will begin as soon as weather permits.

The line has a name:
Brockhampton & Umbridge Railway Preservation Society. (BURPS)

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Post by Crackingjob » Tue Feb 26, 2013 9:43 pm

Been and seen and conferred....great site, great models

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Peter Butler
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Post by Peter Butler » Sun Mar 03, 2013 3:53 pm

What is that big yellow ball-shaped thing in the sky?
While it's there we got the digger out to play and began levelling the ground behind the shed.
It all looks very messy at the moment but, the plan is coming together at last!
I now have to put stakes in the ground and shuttering behind to hold back the soil (mainly clay). Then I will back fill the gap and try to make the ground as level as possible where the track will be located.
More soon, I hope, if the weather continues like this.
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Peter Butler
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Post by Peter Butler » Sun Apr 07, 2013 8:29 pm

Hasn't the weather been kind to us down here in West Wales?
None of that white stuff....not even any rain for a couple of weeks now..ideal weather for getting outdoor work done!

Here are the results of several days labour...

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This shows the levelling of the ground prepared by the digger. I have slabs to lay which will form a hardstanding area for train preparation and operation. Room for seating and entertaining too!

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I have put a fence panel at the side of the area to form a windbreak. The wind here can be scary! This should both protect viewers/operators against the wind as well as prevent gusts blowing stock off the rails as they emerge from the shed at fairly high level.
I have attached my 'Witton Station' sign to the shed for a bit of atmosphere. When I worked in Birmingham I travelled by train through Witton every day. I have no affection for Witton but the sign looks good!

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This is a magic moment... the laying of the very first length of track on the Garden side of the railway.. Progress.

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By the end of the day I had two tracks laid. One is the main line to/from the terminus in the shed, the other is the run-round to put the locomotive at the head of the train.

Not enough hours in the day, no time to go to work...early retirement is the only way to go!

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Lner fan Sam
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Post by Lner fan Sam » Sun Apr 07, 2013 8:39 pm

Wow that's looking great Peter!
my first live steam engine build thread:
http://gardenrails.myfreeforum.org/about6685.html

Sam Wake

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Peter Butler
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Post by Peter Butler » Mon Apr 08, 2013 7:42 pm

Another fine day today, although a little windy.
More progress on the groundworks.... since lunchtime I have managed to lay most of the slabs which will define the retaining wall and location of the running line. This might seem the wrong way round of building a garden railway but I want to be able to get at the track from a good working height. It seems better to me to have good access to the storage and operating areas first, and the track fitted in where it is most accessible.

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Whatever happens, I'm enjoying the experience! However, due to the nature of the construction, it will have to be right first time because there will be no chance to alter the build once the track plan is established. This is where I fall down because of my limited experience with other garden railways. Also, my complete lack of knowledge of how real railways work..... I'm sure to contravene all sorts of safety aspects in running a line, but, who's looking?

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hussra
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Post by hussra » Tue Apr 09, 2013 8:23 am

Hooray, track outdoors! Looks like a really good height, and nicely dry underfoot too. Keep posting and you may inspire me to press on with this year's portion of our line.
Richard Huss
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Peter Butler
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Post by Peter Butler » Tue Apr 30, 2013 9:16 pm

More progress to report.... I am building a waist height preparation area and station outside the shed with easy access to make up trains and hold others in sidings. This is about 4 feet wide and about 18 feet long when complete. I keep changing my mind about the track plan and the way the support structure will be when finished. However, I know what I am trying to achieve and will get there eventually.
The first picture shows the method of construction:

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Next is the decking to put the station area on:

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Finally, the boards which will hold back the mountain of soil on my sloping ground. I will fill up to track level but can then make hills and valleys to add interest.

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When I make something I make it to last... All timber is pressure treated and every piece is screwed (not nailed) for extra strength.
'Never knowingly under-engineered' is my motto.

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Post by Dr. Bond of the DVLR » Tue Apr 30, 2013 9:22 pm

Looks smashing, very neat. How will the wood be preserved?
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The railway which people forgot
(to build)

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Peter Butler
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Post by Peter Butler » Tue Apr 30, 2013 9:27 pm

Timber which is pressure treated has a long lifespan in wet conditions. This particular timber is designed for use in gardens as edging for paths, bases underneath fence panels etc...
I have some already in my garden which has been there for nearly 10 years with no sign of detioration.
Additional protection can be brushed on, eg. fence paint, which also gives a coloured finish.

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Post by Big Al » Tue Apr 30, 2013 9:40 pm

Looking good Peter, Can't wait to see how it turns out.
Allen Hopper - early retirement can't beat it !

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Post by Andrew » Tue Apr 30, 2013 10:02 pm

Big Al:82874 wrote:Looking good Peter, Can't wait to see how it turns out.
I agree! It's a very exciting project, thanks for the progress reports...

Andrew.

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Post by St.Michael » Wed May 01, 2013 7:08 am

Just have to agree :D :D It´s a beutiful project, I´m following and learning!!
What kind of "landscape materials" are you going to use on the board deck on the outside area?

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Peter Butler
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Post by Peter Butler » Wed May 01, 2013 9:39 am

Hi Guys, many thanks for your interest and replies... As this is my first garden rail project I am also learning as I go. The firm base is essential as so many railways I have seen tend to move with changing ground conditions and have to be relaid.
The next major consideration I have learned from other Forum users is not to have tight curves, and as I have unlimited space I intend to make them as big as possible.
Now, the question of landscape materials.... This is very important to me, I want it to look as realistic as I can with the obvious constraints!
I want to put a station platform on the boards and would like to use 'real' slate or stone edging and possibly crushed stone surface. If anyone can offer advice on constructing this I would be delighted.
Question....... Should I put roofing felt on top of the boards and under the track first or would that make it more difficult to stick down the platform material?
Other scenic items will be natural stone/rock, tiny conifers and slate chippings for a quarry area.
Any other ideas greatly appreciated.

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