The Potters Orchid Railway

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

Peter, those actual photos are what have inspired me to use the Bowden cable type of operation, I saw these pics before on your railway's thread.
I had to decide to either go the simple route and be happy, or, what the eff, the full interlocked lever frame. MAM said, you will only build one railway so do a "Proper Job".
I am using the roll of casing and stainless 1.10mm solid wire so I can cut all to length and have interrupted runs of up 5 meters from the lever frame. (Signal Box)
I intend to use "Slick Honey" https://buzzysusa.com/, it is trade secret brew and it is smeared on the wire as it threaded in, it is used by top shelf bike mechanics on cables as it does not dry out. The caps on the casing have rubber rings in them to assist with sealing.
For a couple sets of points I want to make the connection easy to release from the point blade tie bar so one can have simple continuous operation with the trailable points on the loops. Meanwhile I am still painting the Round House kit signal that I have, (only have one) and it will be used as the starter home from the loco shed roads and sidings but it will be my test signal at the Orchid house loop, with the first 12 lever frame. The remaining signal kits are on order from Wizard. When the Orchid house loop is operational with signals and power supply wires installed for lights etc, then terra forming can begin and I also then I start on the 24 lever frame at Potters Junction, while I make my steamer in the Red Room and work full time.I have looked into https://riksrailway.blogspot.com.au/201 ... gnals.html for inspiration with the LED lamps, I am ignorant of electrical matters so a trip to Jarcar to buy LEDS and stuff is soon.

[Peter Butler]

Thanks for the full explanation, good to hear you have it all worked out, although I'm not surprised to hear it! Following with interest....

[IrishPeter]

Using Bowden cables for a couple of the more awkwardly situated points on the Skebawn and Castleknox is an idea I have been toying with for a while. The other possibility is some sort of twin wire arrangement. As I am working in the comparative dry, the rust consideration is not quite so powerful. Twin-wire control of points was something that was done in Australia usually to control long loops without the need for a signal box at both ends.

Peter in Va

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

The S and T design staff of the POR has worked last night from the chook scratchings (pencil drawings/sketches) onto a thought process CAD assembly drawing for an approach of the prototype point connection mechanism. Two bits of brass, a bit of drilling and milling and one thread for the stainless wire pinch screw. Batch production will be done when the final working drawings from the prototype is tested and sorted. A stainless pan head screw (red bit in the drawing) will fasten the the assembly to the concrete track bed with a plug. Drilling will have to be reasonably accurate for the plug but I will have lateral leeway of 1 to 2mm. May have a go at knocking up a test this weekend. More will be revealed as the making process hits the POR workshops

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

The POR has not received much attention as the staff have been occupied at the Llewellyn Locomotive works. While listening to the ODI the S&T department gave some thought to the lever frame and cabling.





1.20mm stainless wire inside Shimano gear cable casing.



Meanwhile at Potters Junction there was some glazing going on



Some thought to the terra forming was applied, using what ever scrap was laying about to give an idea.







One day this will all look tidy like the upper terrace.

[jim@NAL]

looking great

[ge_rik]

Impressive as always. I must admit that the landscaping element of this hobby is one of the attractions for me. Nothing like a bit of digging and concreting to put other things into perspective.

I believe Winston Churchill used to do a bit of bricklaying on his 'days off'.

Rik

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

Slartibartfast who is contracted to do the POR terra forming had asked the directors of the POR for a supply of interesting rock, no doubt influenced by his previous awards for the Norwegian fjords.

Many wanted $100 for a pile of round boring stones, pfftttttttt, then MAM sourced a supply of free rock 20 mins drive away. So on a hot and very humid Sunday morning we investigated.
YAY!
A source of interesting rock was to be had by the tons, it was the mother lode and the supply is limit less.
Three trips in the station wagon and we had moved 900kg of rock.

MAM found what she calls "The Hero Rock", so it was a slog for me to carry it on my own, at least it was down hill, anyhow I am most impressed with it. I am sure it will meet Slartibartfast's approval.
We have a place in mind for this next to where the MVL under arch bridge will be which we will discuss with him.
It will be the foundation rock that the gorge will be built from.


We carried the big rocks and placed them on the wall to save lifting from the ground later.

[philipy]

Lovely rocks, especially the big one. I envy you having a free source, my line has many fewer rocks than I would like simply because I cannot justify the shipping costs.

[4MT]

Just like to say what an interesting thread enjoying the progress you are making with the garden layout and getting the family involved. Wallace and Grommet seem to be enjoying their foreman roll within the build will be watching with interest.

[bazzer42]

Hero rockmis a real beauty, can't wait to see how you use. I have used rocks from the woods but usually resort to a wheelbarrow and strange looks from the neighbours.

[ge_rik]

Brilliant craggy rocks at an unbeatable price. They'll look great.

The rocks around my railway are the local sandstone which I have acquired over several years. I bought some (people advertising in the local Ads paper) but the rest I've got through friends (who find them when digging their gardens) or by keeping an eye open when someone locally has some building work done.

For those who don't live in a rocky area, Bob Treat has done some amazing things by casting his own rocks with concrete - https://familygardentrains.com/primer/r ... cliffs.htm

Rik

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

Recently there was some Potters Orchid Railway construction contracts that was tendered out for some projects and the local "Potters Junction" pottery works was successful with securing the first contract. MAM (Mary Ann Martin) managing director of the "Potters Junction workshops" and her staff have commenced block work and construction for a loading dock that will be located at the "Orchid House" loop siding and station.



The staff deliver materials to the construction platform while the usual quality control supervisors look over progress.

[Soar Valley Light]

Fantastic!

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

The loading dock now awaits a firing in the kiln.



and coaling stage is the next contract underway at the "Potters Junction" Pottery works

[Peter Butler]

Great looking structures, what a brilliant method of construction..... attractive and weather resistant.

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

Great looking structures, what a brilliant method of construction..... attractive and weather resistant.

Thanks
with 40 degree heat, crashing branches in storms, down pours and then drought, a few floods, we hope so.
MAM is using up some clay she does not like throwing with, so a few railway structures has her interest.
The kiln that will fire the clay lives in the small brick building alongside "Potters Junction"
As I have mentioned before, we want a good looking railway that operates, but we will not be a slave to super detail

Stop the press, a large parcel has just arrived from http://www.pendlevalleyworkshop.co.uk/page9.htm
I will wait till MAM gets home, she likes opening parcels

[philipy]

Stop the press, a large parcel has just arrived from http://www.pendlevalleyworkshop.co.uk/page9.htm

Hmmm... if that page link is to be believed you have a large parcel of....GLUES???

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

Stop the press, a large parcel has just arrived from http://www.pendlevalleyworkshop.co.uk/page9.htm

Hmmm... if that page link is to be believed you have a large parcel of....GLUES???

Whoops That is a lot of sniffing
it was three buildings and odds and ends

[Hydrostatic Dazza]

"What's in here from Pendle Valley ?"

MAM loves a parcel