Garden Railway Forum

So, I am now at the point where I need some platforms! On the previous line we used mortar, however for this line they will be on top of felt and in one case needs to be easily removable. We're talking substantial lengths - 8' at least.

What have people used/what do people recommend?

I've used good old foam board in the past, scribing bricks onto walls and using artificial slates as a top, they only come in two foot lengths and it isn't easy to get a smooth join. 4ft foam board for the top might work and mean only one joint. From experience I can advise that if your wife stands on an artificial slate platform it will break

I've had a brick and concrete platform outside successfully for about 6 years, but that method you know for yourself.
I've had a black 10mm thick Foamex platform outside for almost as long and that is doing OK. It was short lengths ( A4 if if I remember correctly) and there is a bit of a tendency to bend at the joint, but no other weather related issues, although the local wildlife does tend to snap the fence posts fairly frequently!
For my now 'under construction' station, I've uses 3mm Foamex mounted on a shell of my 3D printed facings, with internal cross supports. That basic shell has been outside for about 5 weeks now, and seems to be OK. The plan is to give it a top surface of Postcrete, which gives it a 'gravel' look. I'm also debating turning it upside down and filling it with concrete to give it weight and solidity. like yours, this is sitting on roofing felt.

In the past I've searched for the cheapest foamboard I could find, cheapskate that I am, but for my current station building I went to Foamboardonline, as recommended by somebody on here ( sorry can't remember who). They aren't the cheapest, although they do currently have an offer on of 10xA3 sheets for £10 + p&p, but their product is a joy to work with. However for your project, importantly they do A0 sheets (1188 x 841mm) which should make for a minimum number of joints.
http://www.foamboardonline.co.uk/5mm_White_Foamboard

On my previous ground level line I was prone to using either spare paving slabs, bricks, or some well soaked lengths of half inch square pegged to the ground with decomposed granite rammed hard down behind it. I really do not like platforms that are much above rail height. Depending on whether we end up in Ireland or Norway, it will be either a wood topped with plywood covered to look like a low brick face with a tarmac top, or the usual Norwegian low wooden platform constructed out of strip wood and coffee stirrers.

Peter in VA

I guess it depends on what type of platform style your trying to emulate. I use 200x100x40 beige pavers with a face of hardwood soaked in diesel oil. I then paint the top surface with a liberal amount of acrylic paint onto which I sprinkle sand whilst wet. The sand fills the joints and creates a less formal appearance.
Grant.

Where my platforms cannot be compared to Grant's they are easy to move about if required:


They are left over sand stone patio slabs which I have cut to size. I think I might paint them in the future as they look pretty grim

Thanks for all of the replies guys. Definitely food for thought. I think I will use something similar to what you are suggesting Grant, with a couple of detail changes. Will post some updates in the VWHR thread in due course.

Thanks again all.

Whilst I have used mortar to create platforms in a couple of places, I have one station that needs to be removable, and have found some 10mm thick flooring slate tiles which work well. At present they aren't detailed, but I''m toying with scribing in flagstone detail.
I can simply pick the tiles up and store away as needed. The only photo I have at present is from it's first trial appearance . I have also created one platform using a length of plastic wood approx 100 x 30 x 1000mm. There was space to bury the depth so that the platform is at rail level. I then coated it with SBR and fine sand, and laid slate coping stones along the rail edge. Can't really see that under the snow, though! Edited to add: The nearside edge of the rail at Birdbath Halt is still awaiting the building of a retaining wall!

Looks good Phil - I tend to use preserved wood panelling covers in roof felt

As an aside, i like the grads van in the second pic - is it scratch built or is it from a kit?

markoteal wrote: ↑Wed Sep 06, 2017 11:55 am Looks good Phil - I tend to use preserved wood panelling covers in roof felt

As an aside, i like the grads van in the second pic - is it scratch built or is it from a kit?

I'm trying to avoid wood as much as possible Mark. Our garden would generally be described as 'wet', and anything in contact with the ground doesn't last long!

My little guards van was scratch built, using a binnie flat wagon for the running gear. It was my first attempt at scratch building rolling stock, and was 'sized' to accompany the little HGLW steeple loco I have.

Cheers Phil - that looks within my limited (but developing) skills - I'll have to give it a go

Ta


M