Garden Railway Forum

After a distracted summer I am now thinking about the railway again - pity the weather has turned prematurely!

One of the unfinished areas has always been the viaduct. The glue I used to build it (how many years ago? 4 years?) started giving up some time ago and I have been re-gluing bits back together as they fall apart. So to start with I replaced all of the glued joints with black stainless woodscrews.



More than one friend running here has felt the need for railings to protect valuable trains from the long drop. I had stopped fitting them when I realised the ends of my bogie coaches would have hit the railings. So since the walkways I had already fitted had almost all fallen off I thought it was time for a different solution.

As you will know 3 D printing solves many of my problems, so I wondered if it could solve this one as well. The design for a printable railing( I really do like Fusion 360):
It is in three separate parts, brackets to support the walkway, the walkway, and handrail posts. The first sections are printed. The brackets - which are screwed into the sides of the main beams, and the walkway first. The walkway is twice as wide as the previous one (so I hope my coaches will clear it - but I can work that out as I go along). The first section of the viaduct is straight - and that seemed a good place to start. It will take a while to print and fit, and as I get to the curved sections I will have to make each section to fit each place, but it looks OK so far. The handrail posts are still printing. Photos shortly.

Trevor

Another section in place:
and the first handrail posts are in place. From now on it's curved, so I will be measuring and making planks for each individual section.
The ends where it fixes to the concrete are yet to be tackled - but I think some printed triangular piece to clamp the ends of the wires to be secured to the concrete with a screw. I'm thinking of using 1.5mm brass wires, to string the handrails.

Trevor

Trevor Thompson wrote: Mon Sep 15, 2025 12:39 pm I'm thinking of using 1.5mm brass wires, to string the handrails.

Its coming on nicely Trevor.

Nothing wrong with using brass for the handrails of course, but for the amount you'd need it will be pricey.

When I did my lineside fencing I used braided 100lb breaking strain nylon fishing line.

viewtopic.php?p=146975&hilit=fence#p146975

It's nominally 0.55mm diameter In appearance it looks rather like galvanised fencing wire. Just under 10 quid on fleabay for 100M, which will last forever! (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/387733139709 ... 4968455890)


Just an alternative thought.

That is a good idea!

I have looked at your fencing and I can see that it would look much better than brass. Of course I haven't yet priced the brass - but was intending to buy a coil from a jewellery manufacturing supplier (which is a cheaper way to buy it if you can straighten it from the coil).

So fishing line it is.

Trevor

I suspect that fishing line will be easier to get through the posts than wire as well. The better quality galvanised wire I used is lasting well but the cheaper stuff is very rusty and may not last much longer and I will probably get fishing line to replace it,

Phil

More progress on the viaduct handrails.

I am into the curved section now:
The brackets are going on OK - although I have found that they go on more accurately if I don't pre drill the holes. The sections of decking are all odd lengths and have angled edges. I was going to print each one accurately to size, but I am actually using the first ones I made (for the straight section) and just cutting them to size as I go. I am finding that the easy and accurate way to cut them is on my guillotine - but that does mean marking them and taking them to the other end of the garden for cutting.
Almost half way now.

I think I will paint the plastic when I have finished (before fitting the wires) - it looks a bit "plastic" and artificial as it is.

Trevor

looking good

Yep, I'm with Phil, it does look good. I love the way the lines of posts march off into the distance.
I think you are absolutely right about painting them though. I've assumed from the start that you would.

A lot of running back and forth, but the result will as always be worth it.

It's a shame your guillotine isn't portable, but think of the health benefits of all the extra steps!
It looks excellent, but agree that some paint would make them more 'real'.

I don't think any trains will be running today!
Trevor

Perfectly idyllic.

The first buildings to finish off the terminus at Dinas will be cottages under construction, along with the walls separating them from the railway:
The scaffolding and roof beams are being printed, along with another cottage where the walls are only a few feet tall.

Trevor

Your output over your various projects always amazes me, and this looks to be shaping up well to your usual standards.

I know I'm good at having great ideas for other people, but a nice slate tunnel facing to the steps tunnel would finish that corner nicely. Possibly with an angled top face as though the steps were the side of an incline? ( OK, I'll get my coat...!)

philipy wrote: Sat Dec 06, 2025 6:03 pm Your output over your various projects always amazes me, and this looks to be shaping up well to your usual standards.

My thoughts exactly .....

Rik

philipy wrote: Sat Dec 06, 2025 6:03 pm Your output over your various projects always amazes me, and this looks to be shaping up well to your usual standards.

I know I'm good at having great ideas for other people, but a nice slate tunnel facing to the steps tunnel would finish that corner nicely. Possibly with an angled top face as though the steps were the side of an incline? ( OK, I'll get my coat...!)

Yes that tunnel mouth is unfinished. I am grateful for ideas. The only one I have had is from the prototype which has a pedestrian bridge (slate of course) crossing there - but it would disappear into a wall which seems daft - so I have gone no further with it. I will think about the slate tunnel mouth.

Trevor

Boxing Day Steamup.

Phil and I started off with the Kerr Stewart sisters ( or should it be brothers) 4415 and 4420. We sent 4415 off up the line with a works train consisting of the bogie ballast trucks, and a brake van while 4420 got steam up.
We soon worked out that the batteries in 4415 were flat. So I went off to fetch Moelwyn - to see if she had enough charge. Moelwyn took the train and set off up the line.
Meanwhile we got 4420 going and sent her off to catch Moelwyn up, with a view of giving her the train to pull.
Unfortunately we had both forgotten that the temperature was only 1 degree celsius, and we were running on Butane. The inevitable happened and she ran out of steam at "Tan-y-Bwlch", when the gas stopped evaporating.

So Moelwyn took the train all the way to "Dinas" ran round and brought it back to the lower terminus.

By that time we were pretty chilled - and we went into the warmth of the kitchen and enjoyed Coffee and Christmas cake by the Rayburn.

Trevor

Glad you at least got some running in. Your line looks really good, with a real sense of getting some where.
I'm in the opposite situation, it's so hot down here and with the loss of trees overhead running on the main line
is too much like hard work. I think the sawmill (being in the shade) will feature in many photos this summer.
Grant.

The coffee and cake were very welcome after a chilly ascent of the line.

At least our experience tells me there is a good reason not to try steaming here when frost lies hard on the layout and grass in my garden!

Phil

Great photos. Makes me feel guilty that I've not run anything since October.

Rik