Vale of White Horse Railway
Re: Vale of White Horse Railway
Thank you very much Peter!
The last few weeks have been quite busy (including being in Wales for a week), but we have made a fair chunk of progress:
Looking from Kingston Lisle (foreground) down towards Uffington (shed). The wood has all been coated (some of it needs a second coat). You'll note the trackbed is complete going into the shed on the left.
A closer look at the triangle. The track will be nominally laid on the blocks; the crescent area to the bottom of the picture will be planted with small trees, allowing the train to snake through, while the area closer to the shed will most likely be a farm scene.
Looking the other way (past our very patchy growing grass!), the boards of Wantage station are mostly ready for track; these will be fronted with a small picket fence or similar. The pond has been dug out and started again. I've laid madoc blocks around the front and a small wall down the back; these will take the spoil and then liner. The bridge was to be a viaduct but will not be slightly different - time will tell....
Finally a shot of the steaming bay area. There will be some 16" OSB on top of the posts against the wall, giving a two track steaming bay - in time this will become a shed scene. The running line comes out of the shed and curves around towards the triangle area.
The last few weeks have been quite busy (including being in Wales for a week), but we have made a fair chunk of progress:
Looking from Kingston Lisle (foreground) down towards Uffington (shed). The wood has all been coated (some of it needs a second coat). You'll note the trackbed is complete going into the shed on the left.
A closer look at the triangle. The track will be nominally laid on the blocks; the crescent area to the bottom of the picture will be planted with small trees, allowing the train to snake through, while the area closer to the shed will most likely be a farm scene.
Looking the other way (past our very patchy growing grass!), the boards of Wantage station are mostly ready for track; these will be fronted with a small picket fence or similar. The pond has been dug out and started again. I've laid madoc blocks around the front and a small wall down the back; these will take the spoil and then liner. The bridge was to be a viaduct but will not be slightly different - time will tell....
Finally a shot of the steaming bay area. There will be some 16" OSB on top of the posts against the wall, giving a two track steaming bay - in time this will become a shed scene. The running line comes out of the shed and curves around towards the triangle area.
- Peter Butler
- Driver
- Posts: 5253
- Joined: Sun Sep 09, 2012 10:33 pm
- Location: West Wales
Re: Vale of White Horse Railway
More great progress, you might think it slow but it is clearly planned and well executed.
The best things in life are free.... so why am I doing this?
Re: Vale of White Horse Railway
Coming along in leaps and bounds. As Peter has said, you obviously have a plan in mind and it shows.
Grant.
Grant.
Re: Vale of White Horse Railway
Looks like cracking good progress on all fronts. Won't be long before the first train runs.....
Rik
Rik
- Soar Valley Light
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- Joined: Sun Dec 08, 2013 5:18 pm
- Location: North West Leicestershire
Re: Vale of White Horse Railway
Once again I can only echo the commnets of Peter, Grant and Rik. You are making good progress (lightning pace compared to me!) The thought and planning that you are putting in before and during the early stages of construction will pay you back in spades.
Andrew
Andrew
"Smith! Why do you only come to work four days a week?
"'cause I can't manage on three gaffer!"
"'cause I can't manage on three gaffer!"
Re: Vale of White Horse Railway
Thanks very much guys. I think it's one of the problems of actually living it - lots of incremental progress; when I look back through this thread there is actually a fair bit going on!
This weekend has been too hot for me to really crack on, but hopefully next weekend will be a bit better! I am considering adding a small tunnel in on the inner circuit, directly in front of the shed - but having not planned it will need to be a bit careful structurally. Food for thought!
This weekend has been too hot for me to really crack on, but hopefully next weekend will be a bit better! I am considering adding a small tunnel in on the inner circuit, directly in front of the shed - but having not planned it will need to be a bit careful structurally. Food for thought!
- tom_tom_go
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- Joined: Wed Feb 23, 2011 3:08 am
- Location: Kent, UK
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Re: Vale of White Horse Railway
It has been ridiculously hot in Kent this weekend!
If my garage had aircon I might of done a bit of railway work but not in this heat!
Looking forward to your railway taking shape
If my garage had aircon I might of done a bit of railway work but not in this heat!
Looking forward to your railway taking shape
Re: Vale of White Horse Railway
looking great looks like your making very good progress
Re: Vale of White Horse Railway
Thanks guys. Much nicer temps this week & weekend (although still a little hot in the sun!).
Anyway, we're getting closer.
The boards are now complete for the loop section. Steaming bay on the right, and a temporary bridge on the left which will be replaced as time permits. A curved point has been built for the entrance to the shed in order to maximise the length of the loop. Apologies for the blurry pic - didn't notice when on my phone....
Looking the other way, the trackbed as far as Kingston Lilse has been mortared, and the beds starting to be filled with some decent soil. A bit more required. Oh and wait, what's that in the background?
I felt obliged to lay some track (30') and run a loco up and down. 'Brockhurst' was to hand...
Ginny seemed interested!
Plan is to lay the track this week as far as Kingston Lisle. There is a fair bit to do in the shed still to allow this to happen but we're getting there!
Anyway, we're getting closer.
The boards are now complete for the loop section. Steaming bay on the right, and a temporary bridge on the left which will be replaced as time permits. A curved point has been built for the entrance to the shed in order to maximise the length of the loop. Apologies for the blurry pic - didn't notice when on my phone....
Looking the other way, the trackbed as far as Kingston Lilse has been mortared, and the beds starting to be filled with some decent soil. A bit more required. Oh and wait, what's that in the background?
I felt obliged to lay some track (30') and run a loco up and down. 'Brockhurst' was to hand...
Ginny seemed interested!
Plan is to lay the track this week as far as Kingston Lisle. There is a fair bit to do in the shed still to allow this to happen but we're getting there!
- tom_tom_go
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Re: Vale of White Horse Railway
I am sure your cat will find many sun traps to sleep in on your line once finished, mine use to bless her...
Good work so far, keep it up and good luck with the rest of it
Good work so far, keep it up and good luck with the rest of it
Re: Vale of White Horse Railway
"Must have been hard to have felt obliged to run a loco" . No stopping you now.
Grant.
Grant.
Re: Vale of White Horse Railway
Indeed, we now have some actual track down!
A fair bit of work yesterday and today has now seen the track laid for the first section. The track is a mixture of old and second hand & some of it is very golden... will weather down. Mostly LGB throughout. Overscale but durable - will be ballasted in due course.
The steaming bay, looking back into the shed. Note the hatch added where the track goes in (needs painting), and the custom curved point. I need a RH point to lay the second track - have two LH's over but not a RH annoyingly. Lack of planning!
Looking out of the other side of the shed, back towards the garden. Track layout in the shed is a loop and two 6' sidings.
Looking over the temporary bridge to the gravel boards.
General overview, my dad at the controls!
Hope to landscape and plant a bit over the weekend.
A fair bit of work yesterday and today has now seen the track laid for the first section. The track is a mixture of old and second hand & some of it is very golden... will weather down. Mostly LGB throughout. Overscale but durable - will be ballasted in due course.
The steaming bay, looking back into the shed. Note the hatch added where the track goes in (needs painting), and the custom curved point. I need a RH point to lay the second track - have two LH's over but not a RH annoyingly. Lack of planning!
Looking out of the other side of the shed, back towards the garden. Track layout in the shed is a loop and two 6' sidings.
Looking over the temporary bridge to the gravel boards.
General overview, my dad at the controls!
Hope to landscape and plant a bit over the weekend.
- Gralyn
- Fireman
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Re: Vale of White Horse Railway
Looking good. Your hard work is being rewarded with some Train running time.
Regards Graham.
Re: Vale of White Horse Railway
all looking brilliant
Re: Vale of White Horse Railway
Great progress in such a short space of time. Looks like plenty of operational potential.
Rik
Rik
Re: Vale of White Horse Railway
The build of your railway went fairly quick! Nice running length as well and on a comfortable height. Nice!
"En schöne Gruess" from an Alpine railway in Holland.
- Soar Valley Light
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- Joined: Sun Dec 08, 2013 5:18 pm
- Location: North West Leicestershire
Re: Vale of White Horse Railway
Great Progress Jon. Keep up the good work.
I'm always slightly in awe and slightly envious of those of you who manage to create almost instant railway. It took me most of the day (between a load of other jobs) just to bend up the wing rails and file and solder the point and splice rails for a single crossing nose - it's not even assembled yet!
Andrew
I'm always slightly in awe and slightly envious of those of you who manage to create almost instant railway. It took me most of the day (between a load of other jobs) just to bend up the wing rails and file and solder the point and splice rails for a single crossing nose - it's not even assembled yet!
Andrew
"Smith! Why do you only come to work four days a week?
"'cause I can't manage on three gaffer!"
"'cause I can't manage on three gaffer!"
Re: Vale of White Horse Railway
Thanks very much for the kind comments - it means a lot
Anyway, another busy weekend! Yesterday was spent levelling (ish) in front of the shed, adding a rough border, laying a few slabs & filling with slate. We have some more slate to build up the thickness a bit too.
Today has been spent making a rock cutting & planting some flowers in the triangle area, plus ballasting the sides of the triangle.
And then, onto some trains! First, a quick test...
And then this evening some steam...
Unfortunately a number of issues came up during the evening running. The L&B coaches hit the wall into the shed (whoops!) and there are issues with track level on the timber section - no surprise, we knew it would need fettling. Another issue is the height of the chopper on the back of the Billy - fitted by the previous owner, its is miles high compared with anything else. It's all superglued up so not the easiest job to just whip it off & replace.
The only way to check is to test with lots of different locos & stock. Oh, what a shame!
Anyway, another busy weekend! Yesterday was spent levelling (ish) in front of the shed, adding a rough border, laying a few slabs & filling with slate. We have some more slate to build up the thickness a bit too.
Today has been spent making a rock cutting & planting some flowers in the triangle area, plus ballasting the sides of the triangle.
And then, onto some trains! First, a quick test...
And then this evening some steam...
Unfortunately a number of issues came up during the evening running. The L&B coaches hit the wall into the shed (whoops!) and there are issues with track level on the timber section - no surprise, we knew it would need fettling. Another issue is the height of the chopper on the back of the Billy - fitted by the previous owner, its is miles high compared with anything else. It's all superglued up so not the easiest job to just whip it off & replace.
The only way to check is to test with lots of different locos & stock. Oh, what a shame!
- Soar Valley Light
- Driver
- Posts: 1451
- Joined: Sun Dec 08, 2013 5:18 pm
- Location: North West Leicestershire
Re: Vale of White Horse Railway
Great photos Jon. The planting looks really good, the line is already settling into the landscape, the whole garden is beginning to look neat and tidy. You really do get a move on when you set your mind to it!
Andrew
Andrew
"Smith! Why do you only come to work four days a week?
"'cause I can't manage on three gaffer!"
"'cause I can't manage on three gaffer!"
- Peter Butler
- Driver
- Posts: 5253
- Joined: Sun Sep 09, 2012 10:33 pm
- Location: West Wales
Re: Vale of White Horse Railway
Incredible progress and great result.... well done to you both. From a bare patch of ground a garden railway has emerged in record time.
The best things in life are free.... so why am I doing this?
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