Southport Model Engineers do 16mm - a new layout is born
- railwaygardener
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Southport Model Engineers do 16mm - a new layout is born
Seven garden railwayers from the Southport/Ormskirk/Preston area have joined the local model engineering society to build a 16mm layout in their premises. The plan for Phase 1 is a kidney-shaped track about 50m long on a 40cm high grass embankment.
Initial trials using PVC soffit, window trim and downpipe to support the trackbed have proved successful, so we intend to use that instead of the more robust (but much more expensive) Filcris recycled plastic. Breeze blocks were initially considered, but rejected when we realised how much manual handling and concreting was involved.
Some more photos are here:
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/railwa ... 324476692/
and the beginnings of a blog are here:
http://www.railwaygardener.net/page4/blog-2/index.html
Initial trials using PVC soffit, window trim and downpipe to support the trackbed have proved successful, so we intend to use that instead of the more robust (but much more expensive) Filcris recycled plastic. Breeze blocks were initially considered, but rejected when we realised how much manual handling and concreting was involved.
Some more photos are here:
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/railwa ... 324476692/
and the beginnings of a blog are here:
http://www.railwaygardener.net/page4/blog-2/index.html
- railwaygardener
- Cleaner
- Posts: 40
- Joined: Thu Apr 07, 2011 4:57 pm
- Location: Southport UK
- Contact:
- railwaygardener
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- Posts: 40
- Joined: Thu Apr 07, 2011 4:57 pm
- Location: Southport UK
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Good progress despite the weather:
http://tinyurl.com/n9bjng7
Should be operable in a couple of weeks, although not finished by any means.
http://tinyurl.com/n9bjng7
Should be operable in a couple of weeks, although not finished by any means.
- railwaygardener
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Philip, the topping is my version of Rowland's mixture, 1 part sand, 1 cement and 1.5 dried & sieved compost.
The soffit board was sanded to take the gloss off then painted with Sandtex and sand sprinkled on top of the wet paint. Bearing in mind the wind and rain we have had during the process it all seems to have taken quite well, although I suspect a hard frost may be more of a challenge.
The soffit board was sanded to take the gloss off then painted with Sandtex and sand sprinkled on top of the wet paint. Bearing in mind the wind and rain we have had during the process it all seems to have taken quite well, although I suspect a hard frost may be more of a challenge.
Good to see you have kept the quality of the track laying to the same high standards that are maintained when you come up to Ravenglass. I like how you've banked the soil and turf up as well, instead of leaving it on legs, perhaps you could put some plants in later when its all more established.
"What the hell is that?"
"It's a model icebreaker sir."
"It's a bit big isn't it?"
"It's a full scale model sir....."
"It's a model icebreaker sir."
"It's a bit big isn't it?"
"It's a full scale model sir....."
- railwaygardener
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Truth to tell I subcontracted the tracklaying to another member, as mine tends to follow the Ratty foreman's philosophy, namely that a bit of wiggle is good for the driver's concentration!
Turfing-up was an important part of the plan, to try to integrate the railway into a garden setting and still keep it off the (flat and featureless) ground. Fortunately an adjacent building site supplied us with six dumper loads of soil.
Planting is in hand, Becky Pinniger's book was purchased specially, but haven't yet dared to suggest a bill is presented to the treasurer...
Turfing-up was an important part of the plan, to try to integrate the railway into a garden setting and still keep it off the (flat and featureless) ground. Fortunately an adjacent building site supplied us with six dumper loads of soil.
Planting is in hand, Becky Pinniger's book was purchased specially, but haven't yet dared to suggest a bill is presented to the treasurer...
Very impressed with this form of construction;I've discussed this form of construction on here before and must admit I was put off by some of the comments/replies that were generated. I've decided now that I will be going down this route,the major factors for me being ,fairly low cost,ease of availability of materials and light weight constructional work. I know it wont last for ever but at my time of life it will probably out last me.
Always look on the bright side of life.
- railwaygardener
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A major milestone for the new railway, the first circumnavigation!
My Roundhouse Mountaineer (also on its maiden outing) does the first circuit, with Tony Kuivala at the controls:
http://vimeo.com/89025067
An earlier trial run by Richard Jones' 'The Mighty Reds' is here:
http://vimeo.com/89033726
The latest photos are here:
http://tinyurl.com/n9bjng7
My Roundhouse Mountaineer (also on its maiden outing) does the first circuit, with Tony Kuivala at the controls:
http://vimeo.com/89025067
An earlier trial run by Richard Jones' 'The Mighty Reds' is here:
http://vimeo.com/89033726
The latest photos are here:
http://tinyurl.com/n9bjng7
- railwaygardener
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- Location: Southport UK
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After a season of successful running, we are extending the line to include a return loop and a wye.
The aim is to improve operational interest, mainly by giving the operators the experience of avoiding (or not, as the case may be) head-on collisions.
The necessary break in the new line for lawnmower access will be spanned by a removable wooden bridge. Regrettably I will probably name it Stackton Trestle.
Some photos of the build are here:
http://tinyurl.com/kru6h8a
Derek Pratt
The aim is to improve operational interest, mainly by giving the operators the experience of avoiding (or not, as the case may be) head-on collisions.
The necessary break in the new line for lawnmower access will be spanned by a removable wooden bridge. Regrettably I will probably name it Stackton Trestle.
Some photos of the build are here:
http://tinyurl.com/kru6h8a
Derek Pratt
Last edited by railwaygardener on Mon Mar 02, 2015 12:24 am, edited 1 time in total.
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