Time to build a railway...but where?

Big Jim · Post by **Big Jim** » Fri Feb 10, 2017 6:57 pm

Right I am going to run a book.
Who fancies a flutter?

"Honest Jim Always Pays"

Post by **ge_rik** » Sun Feb 12, 2017 2:35 am

Brilliant addition to the fleet, Peter. Would love to see her in action the next time I visit.

Rik

Peter Butler · Post by **Peter Butler** » Tue Feb 14, 2017 7:52 pm

Hi guys, I'm back!!!
I am seriously touched by your concern and messages of support, thank you. My machine has been to the 'Doctor' for a full health check and is now ready to face the world again. Apparently I have been using the wrong type of coal and the driver was usually drunk.... apart from that we seem to be back on track. (sorry about all that!)
I have been busy in the meantime and when I get the pictures sorted I will give an update.

Soar Valley Light · Post by **Soar Valley Light** » Tue Feb 14, 2017 8:17 pm

Hi Peter,

I'm glad you're back. You've been missed. I hate technology almost as much as it hates me so I can sympathise with your plight. I'm so pleased you've sorted the problem relatively quickly.

I'm looking forward to some updates on your modelling!

Welcome back,

Andrew

Big Jim · Post by **Big Jim** » Tue Feb 14, 2017 8:51 pm

Hello Peter,
Glad you are back and the machine is fixed.

Peter Butler · Post by **Peter Butler** » Tue Feb 14, 2017 10:33 pm

Well I'm still claiming the kitchen table as the railway workspace and have managed to avoid the wrath of cook..... I'm sure this will be time limited and as soon as the weather improves I will be back in my shed.
However, more buildings are under construction, the latest being the 'big' house which belonged to the Lord of the Manor. My village wouldn't be complete without it and it shows how prosperous the area must have been during the times of stone quarrying and the building of the railway to support it. These days it is just another tourist attraction but encourages visitors to spend their cash on something other than the railway.
The house is of Regency/Georgean architectural style with bow windows and large front door and portico to give extra impact. It is also built higher than surrounding buildings to show importance. The low walls will have metal fencing on top eventually.
Front elevation...

Rear elevation... (tradesman's entrance)

Due to the valleys of the roof being lower than the surrounding walls it has been necessary to build-in working water downspouts which will have hoppers on all four corners and hollow pipework. This was inspired by a comment made by Grant some time ago.....

And because of our West Wales location it has a locally inspired name.....

LNR · Post by **LNR** » Wed Feb 15, 2017 12:37 am

Welcome back Peter, and good to see you have not been idle.
Having been involved in building maintenance, every time I see a slate roof on an elderly building in England (on Television when the baddie climbs to the roof to jump) I can't help thinking of roof drainage and the potential for water entering the building. Glad to see yours will be well taken care of.
Grant.
PS I have various fine wires for cleaning my down pipes of non scale things, at least I don't have to climb a ladder!!

Post by **philipy** » Wed Feb 15, 2017 8:47 am

Good to see you back again Peter. I like the manor house, as others have said.

Grant,

LNR:122834 wrote:....every time I see a slate roof on an elderly building in England (on Television when the baddie climbs to the roof to jump) I can't help thinking of roof drainage and the potential for water entering the building.

Having been involved in the refurbishment of many Victorian buildings, I can assure you that the leakage potential of valley gutters is extremely real and a nightmare to deal with. Because where the water actually appears internally is frequently nowhere near where it enters the building in a defective gutter, and small holes in a lead lined gutter are often difficult to find, visually.

Peter Butler · Post by **Peter Butler** » Wed Feb 15, 2017 2:17 pm

Great to be back.... thanks again guys.
Dylan House, country seat of the owner of Llareggub stone quarry, fell into disrepair with the closure of the workings and of the railway. The house has been patched-up by the present owners as a place to show visitors how the family once lived in better times. The exterior shows where the render has degraded over time but will be kept smart by cosmetic coats of paint.....

The finish I have used is a mix of waterproof tile adhesive with SBR so should be flexible but water resistant. It is applied onto a prepared surface by scratching into the plastic to form a key. 24 hours is more than enough for it to set firm.

Meanwhile the back of the building is still waiting for its turn having been completed with door, steps and window surrounds. It is somewhat less imposing than the front.....

jim@NAL · Post by **jim@NAL** » Wed Feb 15, 2017 8:35 pm

looking good peter .I like the look of the manor house excellent idea with the drainage holes .im sure iv asked you but what thinness is the plastcard you use for your buildings

Peter Butler · Post by **Peter Butler** » Wed Feb 15, 2017 11:19 pm

Jim, the HIP sheets I use are 2mm thick so fairly stable. However, in outdoor conditions it is a bit of a lottery! I always brace mine with extra horizontal strips at right angles to the walls and add triangular fillets to the corners to keep everything rigid. I'm sure you are familiar with this as furniture is built in a similar way to reduce material costs. You will know from experience where strength is needed so just follow normal practice.
For the roof tiles I use 1mm sheet stuck in strips to a 2mm support so that extra strength is available to combat heat and cold conditions.
As you might have guessed, I am trying to keep maintenance to an absolute minimum..... I love making things, but only once!

jim@NAL · Post by **jim@NAL** » Thu Feb 16, 2017 7:34 pm

thanks peter I will be building a new station in the next mouth so0. I think I may build it in this type of plastic I assume you order it online .do you seal the inside edges with anything (mastic etc ) the only thing I would suggest too help if you haven't is to seal the inside edges as this is the only place I could see that might move/fail there is a very good product called C T 1 that would do this

Peter Butler · Post by **Peter Butler** » Thu Feb 16, 2017 9:49 pm

Hi Jim, I buy my HIP from 'Homecrafts' on-line and usually buy several sheets to qualify for free postage. As for the sealant.... I use a solvent to weld all joins and I must say they are tough when set, I also splash more solvent along the join, inside and out, to be sure, so any sealant might not be needed.
Even if water does manage to get inside, there is nothing which can be damaged by it. Moisture is bound to find a way underneath anyway but even standing in water should cause no problems.
I look forward to seeing your station, please post pictures when you begin.

Peter Butler · Post by **Peter Butler** » Fri Feb 17, 2017 8:24 pm

More progress today... the four down-pipes have been fitted into the hoppers with drainage holes to allow the rainwater to flow away from the roof valleys....

Three of the four sides have been screeded and allowed to dry, the fourth side has just been coated this evening so will be ready to paint in a couple of days when all moisture is gone.

Peter Butler · Post by **Peter Butler** » Sat Feb 18, 2017 11:08 pm

Just in case there was any doubt, my pub has now acquired proper lettering to identify it as a licensed hotel.

More work on Dylan House during the day too so perhaps pictures tomorrow when the walls have been painted.
Meanwhile.. spending time reading my SMT which arrived this morning.... very good read too!

LNR · Post by **LNR** » Sun Feb 19, 2017 7:48 am

Was wondering how the pub was going, looking great. Be good to see it in it's final resting place in the coming season.
Grant.

Soar Valley Light · Post by **Soar Valley Light** » Sun Feb 19, 2017 8:00 pm

Super work again Peter. I love the hotel, the name boards are excellent. Looking forward to seeing the house develop.

Andrew

James from Devon · Post by **James from Devon** » Sun Feb 19, 2017 10:04 pm

Those are some impressive buildings. I really like the Manor House. Keep it up!

Peter Butler · Post by **Peter Butler** » Mon Feb 20, 2017 4:08 pm

Cheers guys... during the past couple of days I have managed to get three coats of paint onto all four walls to coat the screed. I wanted the render finish to look well worn after its 180+ years of existence and a little neglect! The way it looks now is exactly what I wanted with rough patches where repairs have been made in the past and just coated with colour. As previously described, the screed is mixed with SBR to make it waterproof and the paint coats (tester pots) have also had SBR added for the same reason. The surface finish is a very satisfying eggshell with just a slight sheen.....

In this light it takes on a pink hue whereas it is Wilkinson's 'Chocolate Dream', more of a warm straw colour. Anyway, I like it!

LNR · Post by **LNR** » Mon Feb 20, 2017 10:07 pm

Definitely looking forward to the good weather in your part of the world, to see all this set up in situ.
Grant.

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Time to build a railway...but where?

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