Garden Railway Forum

Phil.P wrote: ↑Wed Mar 20, 2024 5:19 pm It is at times like this, an aerial shot from a drone, would put the whole kit and caboodle into perspective.
Phil.P

I don't yet have a drone but on my list.
Here's the land in a nut shell. All the debris around the house has been removed and hauled off. Been prunning mesquite and ridding them of parasitic vegetation.
Our next step is putting up a heavy cattle fence and some gates. That and getting the Air-conditioning working, it's a bit toasty this time of year.

Well I'm still plowing away with the house/ homestead. It has been extreamly hot, not uncommon to see 105-107⁰ all day but last week I put up a t-post fence with some heavy panels to keep the cattle out of what will be the hydroponics/quail/ Greenhouse. It used to be a dog run but the Notorious Cow Cartel mowed over that fencing before we moved in. Drove all T post and corner bracing by hand, and this isn't nice soft dirt just fyi lol.
Next will be a perimeter fence, then I can segregate the chickens and dwarf goats and still have a neutral area. After that I get to stake my claim on the property for the railroad! Fence that off and go from there.
Tonight I had to take a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake. I normally don't kill things that I'm not going to eat, but it was after our yard birds and that isnt going to happen here if I can help it. Right outside the window no less. It's Iced down in a cooler in the kitchen. I'll skin it and check out the meat in the am, hopefully I can put it all to good use. And "Diamondback" has always been in my mind as part of the railways identity ....

Strangely, Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes are something I hadn't considered when constructing my garden railway. Having read Wikipedia's description I doubt I will be introducing them anytime soon!
The thought of having such neighbours in my backyard would prevent all outdoor activities.

You are Brave! I like your philosophy re kill to eat. I too had a confrontation today with a copyn (spider) whilst preparing to dismantle a shed . I didn't kill it as I wasn't going to eat it .
The Diamondback Railroad sounds like a good name .looking forward to seeing its progress.

Preseli Chris wrote: ↑Thu Jul 11, 2024 1:16 pm I didn't kill it as I wasn't going to eat it .

Why not? A set of legs like that could feed a family of four!

I have no objection to (UK) spiders inhabiting my sheds as they do a great job of keeping flies in check. Some are large enough to trap wasps, so they are especially welcome.

Peter Butler wrote: ↑Thu Jul 11, 2024 10:51 am The thought of having such neighbours in my backyard would prevent all outdoor activities.

You definitely have to have your eyes open out here, luckily the Rattlesnakes only come out in the am and late pm to warm themselves. This one was late yesterday, right after a big storm. Oh that reminds me: *Repair the shed roof.

Preseli Chris wrote: ↑Thu Jul 11, 2024 1:16 pm I didn't kill it as I wasn't going to eat it
The Diamondback Railroad sounds like a good name
20240711_123327.jpg

Eeek! Spiders, no likey. We have too many in the house and they get vacuumed up. Except the Tarantulas, I guess some people here have several "locals" living in their yards, I have yet to spot one here and I'm fine with that.
Yeah, I'm kicking around ideas for the Railroad, or Railway name. Diamondback & Western, Prickly Pear & Southwestern, that sort of angle, but nothing nailed down yet as to I have a lot of things to deal with long before that. I do have a logo picked out if I go the Prickly Pear route....

I am STRICTLY forbidden to kill spiders. In fact, when I clean the windows ( rarely!) I have to be very careful to avoid the webs with eggs which seem to inhabit most of the corners!

Finally getting both the 2 and the 4 acre plots fenced in. Going with 6" metal posts and welded H Braces on all corners. Also 6" posts for the three vehicle gates and the three man gates for egress. Everything in between is T Posts and five wire barbed.
Step one for the railway is to keep the beef cattle out!
I'm beyond thrilled, it's been 6 months since we dove into this place. I'm behind on so many projects but the fact that the fence is months ahead of schedule, makes me forget about all the other stuff.
After fence is up next is a dwarf goat barn with quail tiered coups and chicken coup as well. I've also been building a green house, it's a giant erecter set, need to level the pad then I can get it up and running. That's where the hydroponics go so we have food other than quail, chickens, wild game and the beef from the ranch next door.
Next step for railway... a name.....

PS, not a bad view from the driveway today....

Bad Droid wrote: ↑Thu Jul 11, 2024 2:04 pm Yeah, I'm kicking around ideas for the Railroad, or Railway name. Diamondback & Western, Prickly Pear & Southwestern...

Pricklyback & South Pear?

Heck of a difference to the challenge that faced me when I started building the PLR .......


Rik

dudeface wrote: ↑Fri Sep 27, 2024 6:50 pm

Bad Droid wrote: ↑Thu Jul 11, 2024 2:04 pm Yeah, I'm kicking around ideas for the Railroad, or Railway name. Diamondback & Western, Prickly Pear & Southwestern...

Pricklyback & South Pear?

Diamond Pear and South Back?

If you can't decide, how 'bout Diamondback, Prickly Pear & Southwestern. Edit- or Diamondback & Prickly Pear (South)Western - kinda like D&RGW....

dudeface wrote: ↑Sat Sep 28, 2024 2:50 am If you can't decide, how 'bout Diamondback, Prickly Pear & Southwestern. Edit- or Diamondback & Prickly Pear (South)Western - kinda like D&RGW....

I've been thinking something similar.

ge_rik wrote: ↑Fri Sep 27, 2024 7:07 pm Heck of a difference to the challenge that faced me when I started building the PLR .......

ir129140184.jpg



Rik

It would be interesting to 'compare and contrast' with a recent photo, Rik..
Incentive, to show what can be achieved.

Phil.P

Bad Droid wrote: ↑Tue Sep 24, 2024 10:48 pm ... Next step for railway... a name.....

Good luck with that - I've been chewing on it for six months now!

As Rik says, your challenges are a bit different to those of us in the UK. Swings and roundabouts...

Yep!
Ten days of swings and roundabouts..

https://www.visit-nottinghamshire.co.uk ... ir-p358771

PhilP

Hmmm. Doesn't look much like a goose fair to me!

One I went to recently had live geese and horses, archery, quintains and sack/pillow fighting on a pole for the children. Though admission was not compulsory on wearing ye olde apparel and the food included pizzas and hot dogs. No pottage or 'turnip surprises'...

I'm very glad I don't have to contend with rattlers or venomous spiders. The 'worst' wildlife we have is the occasional fox or badger digging a hole and or leaving scat behind. The pigeons and gulls are sometimes a nuisance but it's not in the same league as snakes and coyotes.

Hello fellow enjoyer of venemous snakes. Not so much for eating though, the tiger snakes are an important part of the local ecosystem and a protected species.




I think they make the top 10 for most venemous snakes in the world, along with the eastern brown snake.