The Railway in the Valley of the Mill

[philipy]

Warning - this is going to be an almost totally useless post!

I've just remembered that I have what I think may be the answer to your problem. The only thing is that I can't remember what it is called!

I bought 2 plants in 4" pots from a local nursery about 2 years ago and those two plants currently cover an area approx 5ft x 2ft and I have trimmed them occasionally. Really I planted them too close together and if I hadn't they would cover an even greater area. They are part in total shade and part in sun, on clay, and are thriving. They grow as a mat about 2" deep and are currently sprawing up through a couple of heathers that have got in the way. They don't flower and are just small green leaves approx 8x5mm max, with a pale centre line on stiff prostrate stems.

DSC_0002.JPG (421.23 KiB) Viewed 3210 times

If they are potentially of interest, let me know and I'll pop up there and ask what they are!

[Trevor Thompson]

Warning - this is going to be an almost totally useless post!

I've just remembered that I have what I think may be the answer to your problem. The only thing is that I can't remember what it is called!

I bought 2 plants in 4" pots from a local nursery about 2 years ago and those two plants currently cover an area approx 5ft x 2ft and I have trimmed them occasionally. Really I planted them too close together and if I hadn't they would cover an even greater area. They are part in total shade and part in sun, on clay, and are thriving. They grow as a mat about 2" deep and are currently sprawing up through a couple of heathers that have got in the way. They don't flower and are just small green leaves approx 8x5mm max, with a pale centre line on stiff prostrate stems.

DSC_0002.JPG

If they are potentially of interest, let me know and I'll pop up there and ask what they are!

We would certainly like to know what they are called! They seem to be thriving - and that is a good starting point.

Trevor

[Trevor Thompson]

I’ve found Sweet Woodruff really useful for ground cover, filling holes and hiding scabby bits. It’s easy and quick to cut it back (with scissors) every now and again as necessary. Here’s a healthy plantation of it (permanently in shade) in the picture below, to the left of the loco.

I’ve also planted loads of slow-growing, small-leafed Euonymus Japonicus ‘Green Spire’ (not the quick growing, potentially very much larger variants) to replace all the Box that was killed off by the beastly caterpillars. It looks very similar. The local garden centre displays it in neatly trimmed, dense, low hedges — say 25cm high — as edging to paths and so on, which I’d like to emulate. Might be useful to you?


sweet_woodruff_1.jpg
Sorry, it's not the sharpest picture you've ever seen


Euyonmus Japonicus.jpg
Euonymus Japonicus ‘Green Spire’ (with spelling corrected)

I've just been told that we have some Sweet Woodruff which she has been trying to encourage - but I keep striming it! Eunymus Japonicus sounds interesting as well - I'll look out for that in our garden centre.

Weed suppressing membrane and bark mulch is the answer to these plants getting strimmed - then I will know where things to avoid are.

Trevor

[Trevor Thompson]

The point is progressing:

the soldered frog and wing rails fitted:

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The chairs are fitted into holes, and glued in place as well. There are 8 brass pins holding the frog in place (as well as glue).

and the outer rails temporarily fitted in place:

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I positioned the outer rails using the track gauges, marked where the rails crossed the sleepers on both sides of the rail, and drilled holes central between the two pencil marks. The temporary assembly is to make sure that the holes were actually in the correct places - and that the track gauges fit easily. Proper check rail chairs to be fitted before final assembly.

Trevor

[philipy]

We would certainly like to know what they are called! They seem to be thriving - and that is a good starting point.

Wanna laugh?

I dropped the guy an email with the picture I posted here and explained that a friend was potentially interested but I can't remember what the plant is called.
This is his reply:
Hello Philip

They look like Euonymus, a particular form and we do have some to go but I cant remeber the name at the moment!

Cheers

Chris



Anyway, with Euonymous as a definite starting point it didn't take me long to track it down, although there are dozens of Euonymous fortuneii varieties. This one is " Euonymous Fortuneii "Kewensis" "

Don't know if they would be readily available in the average garden centre, but Swallows is a commercial nursery rather than a garden centre and he does mail order.
https://swallowsnursery.co.uk/

[Trevor Thompson]

Many thanks for going to all that trouble Philip

Trevor

[gilfachphil]

At the Welsh Botanic Garden today in the Japanese garden I spotted Leptinella Squalida which is a low growing mat forming plant which might be suitable for the bank.

[Trevor Thompson]

At the Welsh Botanic Garden today in the Japanese garden I spotted Leptinella Squalida which is a low growing mat forming plant which might be suitable for the bank.

I will have to look for that - its about time we visited again

Trevor

[philipy]

At the Welsh Botanic Garden today in the Japanese garden I spotted Leptinella Squalida which is a low growing mat forming plant which might be suitable for the bank.

I will have to look for that - its about time we visited again

Trevor

It's fairly widely available. I got two at different times, but neither have survived, don't know why. It comes in two different colours, a greenish one and a dark brownish purple colour.

[Jimmyb]

At the Welsh Botanic Garden today in the Japanese garden I spotted Leptinella Squalida which is a low growing mat forming plant which might be suitable for the bank.

I will have to look for that - its about time we visited again

Trevor

It's fairly widely available. I got two at different times, but neither have survived, don't know why. It comes in two different colours, a greenish one and a dark brownish purple colour.

Looked this up and I have some, the spot in which it was planted died, but it has spread, and though difficult to see in the photo (it is the black variety) it is everywhere in just two years.

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[philipy]

Interesting picture Jimmy, which may explain why mine died. I planted it on open borders between lawn and track, whereas yours seems to be happy in the gaps between the rocks. If thats correct then I fear it won't like Trevor's big open bank.

[Trevor Thompson]

Interesting picture Jimmy, which may explain why mine died. I planted it on open borders between lawn and track, whereas yours seems to be happy in the gaps between the rocks. If thats correct then I fear it won't like Trevor's big open bank.

Ah but that is interesting in another context. There are places where something like that could fill the gaps between rocks.

Trevor

[Trevor Thompson]

Going back to progress on extending the railway.

The track has now reached "dry land" at the other end of the viaduct:

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and I am thinking about the passing loop. The first point offered up to see if it fits:

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Trevor

[Trevor Thompson]

I can't see how you've fitted the check rail - is it a double shoe or have you sliced part off the checkrail shoes? Either way it looks great. Looking forward to seeing it progressing.

I have realised that I have actually made an error here. The check rail chairs that I have used are actually designed for G1. And for Course scale G1 at that. So the end result is that the gap between running rail and check rail is 3mm rather than the 2.5mm which seems correct for 32mm narrow gauge. Bit of a pity really all that effort and extra expense and it isn't correct. Too late now! However I have tried a few different vehicles on the viaduct and the check rail isn't far off touching the back of the flanges - particularly on 4 wheel stock. Perhaps since it is on a curve that brings the flanges closer to the rail - so perhaps it isn't an issue. If you look closely at the photo you should be able to see that the flange on this wagon is near enough touching the check rail:

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On the other hand it is an issue on the point. The wheels on test wagons just climb the frog - and its that 3mm gap which is the issue. So I am going to modify the point. I will cut through the middle of the check rail chairs (only 3 each side) and prize up the check rail. If I cut through with a cutting wheel in a dremel that should allow me to close the cut, and pin them down again at the correct spacing using a track gauge to make sure they go down in the correct position. I have noticed that if I cut off the bolt heads with a knife I can usually get a 0.9mm hole in the correct place and then use brass pins - the sort used for making model boats.

[Trevor Thompson]

Testing the track on the viaduct:

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The first train to pass all the way from one end to the other.

IMG_1845.jpg (3.03 MiB) Viewed 3158 times

and to arrive on dry land at the other end.

Next stop the passing loop and Dduallt station building.

Trevor

[ge_rik]

....... the gap between running rail and check rail is 3mm rather than the 2.5mm which seems correct for 32mm narrow gauge.

Better that way round than vice versa ........

Rik

[Phil.P]

On the point:
Could fit a thin brass shim, folded to slip over the check rail?

Something similar is often done on G scale track..

Phil.P

[Trevor Thompson]

....... the gap between running rail and check rail is 3mm rather than the 2.5mm which seems correct for 32mm narrow gauge.

Better that way round than vice versa ........

Rik

Yes I think you are right. The more I think about it the more I am happy with it. I have been thinking about how a tight check rail might introduce lots of friction. Imagine a long train going uphill and all the wheels touching the check rail - that could be a lot of extra friction. So may be its just as well as it is.

Trevor

[Trevor Thompson]

On the point:
Could fit a thin brass shim, folded to slip over the check rail?

Something similar is often done on G scale track..

Phil.P

That is an idea I hadn't come across. If I had fixed the point in place it would have been a good solution. Since it is still in the workshop I think I can move the check rail.

Trevor

[Lonsdaler]

I can't see how you've fitted the check rail - is it a double shoe or have you sliced part off the checkrail shoes? Either way it looks great. Looking forward to seeing it progressing.

I have realised that I have actually made an error here. The check rail chairs that I have used are actually designed for G1. And for Course scale G1 at that. So the end result is that the gap between running rail and check rail is 3mm rather than the 2.5mm which seems correct for 32mm narrow gauge. Bit of a pity really all that effort and extra expense and it isn't correct. Too late now! However I have tried a few different vehicles on the viaduct and the check rail isn't far off touching the back of the flanges - particularly on 4 wheel stock. Perhaps since it is on a curve that brings the flanges closer to the rail - so perhaps it isn't an issue. If you look closely at the photo you should be able to see that the flange on this wagon is near enough touching the check rail:

IMG_1847.jpg

On the other hand it is an issue on the point. The wheels on test wagons just climb the frog - and its that 3mm gap which is the issue. So I am going to modify the point. I will cut through the middle of the check rail chairs (only 3 each side) and prize up the check rail. If I cut through with a cutting wheel in a dremel that should allow me to close the cut, and pin them down again at the correct spacing using a track gauge to make sure they go down in the correct position. I have noticed that if I cut off the bolt heads with a knife I can usually get a 0.9mm hole in the correct place and then use brass pins - the sort used for making model boats.

Other than for appearances sake, I'm not sure how effective a check rail will be, but even at 3mm the gap looks more prototypical than my attempt using individual Peco chairs. It's all looking the part, and it's survived first contact with a train - well done. Interested to see what you are going to do about preserving the wood/ colouration