Garden Railway Forum

I’ve been a bit quiet on here of late, mostly due to a house move putting most projects on hold. The upside is that I finally have my own garden in which to build a line. I started yesterday by constructing a frame for the steam up/yard area out of square section pvc guttering, I’m now trying to think of a suitable track base to put on top of it so would welcome and suggestions. Needs to be weatherproof, able to have track screwed to it and as cheap as possible! So far I’m thinking some sort of tile backing board might be the way to go but I’m sure there’s something I haven’t thought of.
Vague track plan, the triangle junction will need to be removable to allow access to the garage

Modern thin paving 'slabs' would be fire and frost proof, for a steam-up area..
Very low maintenance, easy to sweep clean.

Depends if your framework will support it? - Possibly, a couple of extra supports?

Phil.P

I suspect paving slabs will be a bit too heavy, it’s surprisingly strong but I think that might be asking a bit much

What about 10mm thick slate tiles perhaps?

Phil

Reclaimed slates would be an option fix them down with CT1 or Sticks like...

Personally I would opt for exterior shuttering ply and roofing felt cover using a bitumus mastic to stick it down

Don

Fibre cement sheeting like what is used to line showers and under eaves is what I used. Mine is 4-6mm thick.
https://ringbalin-light-railway.blogspo ... cross.html

Relatively cheap, easy to cut with an angle grinder with a diamond blade fitter or if no grinder a cheap pruning saw or coarse bladed hand saw, can be screwed into to hold track in place, paint it to provide weather protection not that it really needs it..
https://licataltd.co.uk/product/multi-p ... ent-board/

I hadn’t looked back at this post for a while, thanks for the advice, as it happens I ended up going with fibre cement board, and once I’d got the correct blade on my circular saw it’s done the job very nicely so far.

That's looking very impressive! Lots of potential for adding buildings etc, and a decent amount of siding space too...

Looking forward to future installments!

All the best,

Andrew

Andrew wrote: ↑Fri May 12, 2023 12:49 pm That's looking very impressive! Lots of potential for adding buildings etc, and a decent amount of siding space too...

Looking forward to future installments!

All the best,

Andrew

Ditto in all respects

Rik

Looking good! There is plenty of potential there for a superb railway.