The GRR - A Look back and Forward..
The GRR - A Look back and Forward..
I've been going through and sorting all the 100s of pictures I'd taken during the few years of my railway. With all the amazing posts on here I thought it might be time to share a short history with you, if you would like to read it. It's my first project and a simple line for us to enjoy as a family.
My railway started back in June 2018 when I was gifted an old Mamod set. I'd talked about a line in the garden for quite a while and this was the nudge I needed to get going. We played about on the decking with the Mamod track and enjoyed just running the loco round and round with the couple of wagons we had.
As a long term railway modeler it was time to start planning our first railway and get a loop running as quickly as possible.
My railway started back in June 2018 when I was gifted an old Mamod set. I'd talked about a line in the garden for quite a while and this was the nudge I needed to get going. We played about on the decking with the Mamod track and enjoyed just running the loco round and round with the couple of wagons we had.
As a long term railway modeler it was time to start planning our first railway and get a loop running as quickly as possible.
Last edited by sjrixon on Sun Jul 18, 2021 8:54 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: The GRR - A Look back
Our railway started as a simple loop at the bottom of the garden. I was able to get some points and peco track second hand which kicked started the project. Using the old Mamod track for the two ends of the curve and the peco track for the main section and a simple station loop and siddings.
The line is built on breeze blocks, we just leveled out the ground and buried them to create a track base. Probably not the best idea in August as the ground was quite hard, but slowly we got there and a railway started to be formed that we would run.
The line is built on breeze blocks, we just leveled out the ground and buried them to create a track base. Probably not the best idea in August as the ground was quite hard, but slowly we got there and a railway started to be formed that we would run.
Re: The GRR - A Look back
One more post, I can't add more than 2 images at a time!
Re: The GRR - A Look back
Yes you can Take a look at the "How to..." page:
https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 62&t=13243
It's good to see how folks build and develop their railways, so thanks for updating us. Please keep 'em coming
Philip
Re: The GRR - A Look back
I do like a good story. Especially if I know it's going to have a happy ending .....
Rik
Rik
Re: The GRR - A Look back
Looks like this is going to be a very nice line. Liking the curving line to pass those trees....
ROD
Life is so easy when I run my trains.
https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 41&t=11364
https://www.youtube.com/@fairywoodlightrailway
Life is so easy when I run my trains.
https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 41&t=11364
https://www.youtube.com/@fairywoodlightrailway
Re: The GRR - A Look back
Thanks everyone.. I'll start on the next few words and photo uploading
Re: The GRR - A Look back
A couple more pictures to show the completion of the loop. We worked really hard to get a loop up and running fairly quickly. It was at this point that I found out the Mamod wasn't up for the job. Not making around a loop, stopping on the curves, or running so fast down the back section that it would then crash as it entered the curve..
Re: The GRR - A Look back
Sadly - yep, that's Mamod's, unless you're prepared to put a lot of time and tinkering in, and even then results can be disappointing
Phil
Sporadic Garden Railer who's inconsistencies know no bounds
My Line - https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 41&t=11077
Sporadic Garden Railer who's inconsistencies know no bounds
My Line - https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 41&t=11077
Re: The GRR - A Look back
That is a shame it wouldn't run round your curves. Has for the speed, I am not sure if you can put R/C into them, if you can that would help tremendously.
ROD
Life is so easy when I run my trains.
https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 41&t=11364
https://www.youtube.com/@fairywoodlightrailway
Life is so easy when I run my trains.
https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 41&t=11364
https://www.youtube.com/@fairywoodlightrailway
Re: The GRR - A Look back
She is a very old Mamod.. I've kind of decided that I'd have more pleasure with Bertie or even a Katie at this stage. Maybe one day I'd strip her down again and replace more parts, but I don't really have the time or the experience yet.
Re: The GRR - A Look back
In August 2018 I brought my first PDF Hunslet from the Garden Railway Show at Bressingham Steam Museum, really nice day out and had a long chat with Peter to find out he was also a member of the Reading Society of Model Engineers. I still can't quite believe the news about Peter, he was amazing for this hobby and I've build three of his locos and will miss talking to him.
Completing the loop spurred me on to get the Hunslet running so we had something to run on our railway. By December the Hunslet was up a running, with the cab and lining added a little later. I'd also built a few kits from the usual suspects, we were starting to have quite a nice little railway.
Completing the loop spurred me on to get the Hunslet running so we had something to run on our railway. By December the Hunslet was up a running, with the cab and lining added a little later. I'd also built a few kits from the usual suspects, we were starting to have quite a nice little railway.
Re: The GRR - A Look back
Really nice photos of you locos and rolling stock there.
ROD
Life is so easy when I run my trains.
https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 41&t=11364
https://www.youtube.com/@fairywoodlightrailway
Life is so easy when I run my trains.
https://gardenrails.org/forum/viewtopic ... 41&t=11364
https://www.youtube.com/@fairywoodlightrailway
- Old Man Aaron
- Trainee Driver
- Posts: 813
- Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2016 11:08 am
- Location: Sunshine Coast QLD, Australia
Re: The GRR - A Look back
The SL1 and Hunslet make a really nice pairing. What I'm about to suggest may well be heresy, but what about converting the Mamod to battery electric operation?
Also quite like what you've done with the edging roll, too.
Also quite like what you've done with the edging roll, too.
Regards,
Aaron - Scum Class Works
Aaron - Scum Class Works
Re: The GRR - A Look back
As this is a look back I suppose we may hear more about the Mamod later. However mine with was fitted with a Tom Cooper gas burner many year ago never gets a run these days. Katie and Taliesin were much more fun and there are others too now.
Don
Don
Re: The GRR - A Look back
It is, but no to the Mamod.. I fitted a meths burner, but was never happy to the plan is to buy something proper
Re: The GRR - A Look back
I had thought about a conversion.. But I've now got 4 battery locos, not sure there is too much point. She is languishing in a box, I'd rather spend my time and money on something else..Old Man Aaron wrote: βTue May 11, 2021 3:49 am The SL1 and Hunslet make a really nice pairing. What I'm about to suggest may well be heresy, but what about converting the Mamod to battery electric operation?
Also quite like what you've done with the edging roll, too.
Re: The GRR - A Look back
I was thinking about that... I know you were after something with R/C, possibly just on the regulator, but have you considered a Regner? Don't know if they're making the Konrad at the moment, but the Vincent seems to be available. Beautifully slow running, powerful, characterful and copes well with sharp curves. I've got one, which I love, and an RH Bertie which really isn't ideal for shunting or end-to-end operation, the slip eccentric's a bit of a pain, really...
Nice to see how your line developed, by the way...
Andrew.
Re: The GRR - A Look back
That's quite nice!
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