Time to build a railway...but where?
- Peter Butler
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- Joined: Sun Sep 09, 2012 10:33 pm
- Location: West Wales
Well thanks to all for your replies, I have been trying to make the most of the beautiful weather and get on with the railway in stages where I have material available.
As things progress, new ideas spring to mind.......
To put it into context, the line is called 'Brockhampton and Umbridge Railway Preservation Society' (BURPS) and therefore represents a resurected industrial line now used for tourist traffic. It was noticed that some of the passengers were quite keen to see the old stone quarry close up, and so, the railway decided to utilise the old galleries as part of their running line and put passenger traffic on old industrial levels, passing the incline, now disused, and giving a new perspective on how work used to be carried out on the line. (Well it works for me!)
I must admit to spending long days working on the line when I do appreciate other people have work to do (Ha, ha!!)
However... I am waiting for a call into hospital for surgery. This will have an effect on progress for a while, but hopefully not too long!
I am having my apendix removed. I'm 64 years old! Kids have apendix removed, not oldies. On the plus side, I am an organ donor, so if anyone out there had their apendix removed as a child and would like to have a replacement, I'm your man!
I've been working on the railway all day today, but no pictures, sorry. More soon.
Big Al...... How are you getting on with your point motors? Does the idea of using H&M work outdoors?
As things progress, new ideas spring to mind.......
To put it into context, the line is called 'Brockhampton and Umbridge Railway Preservation Society' (BURPS) and therefore represents a resurected industrial line now used for tourist traffic. It was noticed that some of the passengers were quite keen to see the old stone quarry close up, and so, the railway decided to utilise the old galleries as part of their running line and put passenger traffic on old industrial levels, passing the incline, now disused, and giving a new perspective on how work used to be carried out on the line. (Well it works for me!)
I must admit to spending long days working on the line when I do appreciate other people have work to do (Ha, ha!!)
However... I am waiting for a call into hospital for surgery. This will have an effect on progress for a while, but hopefully not too long!
I am having my apendix removed. I'm 64 years old! Kids have apendix removed, not oldies. On the plus side, I am an organ donor, so if anyone out there had their apendix removed as a child and would like to have a replacement, I'm your man!
I've been working on the railway all day today, but no pictures, sorry. More soon.
Big Al...... How are you getting on with your point motors? Does the idea of using H&M work outdoors?
Wow, what fantastic progress! I reckon I average about a yard a month, but I'm hoping to improve things over the course of the gloroious summer we'll surely have this year...
The quarry section's looking great - I love that you're using your own rock. My suburban back garden doesn't yield much in that respect, but local skips do, and I've just got a load of stone from some friends who were having some walling done.
Keep up the good work (looking forward to the first train pics),
Andrew.
The quarry section's looking great - I love that you're using your own rock. My suburban back garden doesn't yield much in that respect, but local skips do, and I've just got a load of stone from some friends who were having some walling done.
Keep up the good work (looking forward to the first train pics),
Andrew.
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- Peter Butler
- Driver
- Posts: 5266
- Joined: Sun Sep 09, 2012 10:33 pm
- Location: West Wales
- Peter Butler
- Driver
- Posts: 5266
- Joined: Sun Sep 09, 2012 10:33 pm
- Location: West Wales
Well I'm back in production. The op went so well I was released after just 6 hours recouperation but was sore!
A few days rest and I have been active again. The track has now been laid completely! The final loop was installed today and tested in both directions with my little battery loco. I know it's slow, but it seems to take ages to complete the full circuit.
While the underside of the baseboards were accessible, I have installed wiring for point operation, platform lights and building illumination.
Also, to improve the survival of any plants and save me the bother of doing it manually, I have installed an irrigation system. This takes water from the stream by means of a submersible pump, pipes it via a hose and distributes the water through a variety of nozzles just where it's needed. Some of the areas would be difficult to access with a watering can!
Weather forecast for tomorrow is ok so more cement mixing and stone walling!
A few days rest and I have been active again. The track has now been laid completely! The final loop was installed today and tested in both directions with my little battery loco. I know it's slow, but it seems to take ages to complete the full circuit.
While the underside of the baseboards were accessible, I have installed wiring for point operation, platform lights and building illumination.
Also, to improve the survival of any plants and save me the bother of doing it manually, I have installed an irrigation system. This takes water from the stream by means of a submersible pump, pipes it via a hose and distributes the water through a variety of nozzles just where it's needed. Some of the areas would be difficult to access with a watering can!
Weather forecast for tomorrow is ok so more cement mixing and stone walling!
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Great work on this! Makes me want to expand my line again....
If it can be made full scale it can be made 16mm
My line: http://gardenrails.myfreeforum.org/about7200.html
My line: http://gardenrails.myfreeforum.org/about7200.html
- Peter Butler
- Driver
- Posts: 5266
- Joined: Sun Sep 09, 2012 10:33 pm
- Location: West Wales
Hi Big Al, and all other watchers.... you are most welcome to visit whenever you are 'passing'! Looking at the location of many members, it seems that if I was back in the West Midlands I would have plenty of opportunity to mix with other garden rail enthusiasts, however, I would not have a railway of my own to talk about as we had such a tiny garden there it would have been impossible!
I'm hoping to have an open day soon and trying to get a live steamer to visit to officially open the line!
If it takes place, photographs will surely follow.
I'm hoping to have an open day soon and trying to get a live steamer to visit to officially open the line!
If it takes place, photographs will surely follow.
- St.Michael
- Fireman
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- Joined: Tue May 08, 2012 9:13 pm
- Location: Norway
- Peter Butler
- Driver
- Posts: 5266
- Joined: Sun Sep 09, 2012 10:33 pm
- Location: West Wales
Thanks Michael, I think you are getting as much pleasure out of following this thread as I am in writing it!
Having done so many projects during my lifetime, I am always aware that is as well to plan ahead and fit items at the ealy stages as it is usually difficult or even impossible later.
At our previous house we had an irrigation system to water various plant pots etc.... naturally we didn't leave it behind, so all the bits and pieces were available to use.
Today, amongst other things, I planted the first of my trees and ivy. It makes such a difference to see the softness of leaves against the rocks. Too late to take pictures today but I will post tomorrow.
Time has come to think about a 'Grand Opening' and invite friends and neighbours to see what all the fuss is about.
Having done so many projects during my lifetime, I am always aware that is as well to plan ahead and fit items at the ealy stages as it is usually difficult or even impossible later.
At our previous house we had an irrigation system to water various plant pots etc.... naturally we didn't leave it behind, so all the bits and pieces were available to use.
Today, amongst other things, I planted the first of my trees and ivy. It makes such a difference to see the softness of leaves against the rocks. Too late to take pictures today but I will post tomorrow.
Time has come to think about a 'Grand Opening' and invite friends and neighbours to see what all the fuss is about.
- Peter Butler
- Driver
- Posts: 5266
- Joined: Sun Sep 09, 2012 10:33 pm
- Location: West Wales
As promised, here are the first pictures of my planting. Just a few to begin with as there is still more stonework to install and ground to prepare.
I was hoping to do more yesterday but the weather changed for the worse and, as keen as I am, there is no pleasure in working in the rain!
Today has improved but I am off to set up my display stand at a local showground and I willl be involved with that all weekend.
No time to fit work in with retirement!
I was hoping to do more yesterday but the weather changed for the worse and, as keen as I am, there is no pleasure in working in the rain!
Today has improved but I am off to set up my display stand at a local showground and I willl be involved with that all weekend.
No time to fit work in with retirement!
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- Peter Butler
- Driver
- Posts: 5266
- Joined: Sun Sep 09, 2012 10:33 pm
- Location: West Wales
Thanks guys, your replies are always welcome....
Al, in answer to your question about point control, I am going to attempt to operate them from a central panel just inside the shed door. All the wires have been installed near the points themselves and fed under the boards and through a plastic tube into the shed.(Yes, I did remember to tag all 12 of them!). The operating system will be by servos taken from our many RC cars which we no longer use. I,m hoping that they will be reliable, positive in operation and weather resistant enough to withstand the changes in conditions. If necessary I will make protective covers to keep them dry. If this doesn't work. I have enough H&M motors to try as an alternative. Time will tell!
Al, in answer to your question about point control, I am going to attempt to operate them from a central panel just inside the shed door. All the wires have been installed near the points themselves and fed under the boards and through a plastic tube into the shed.(Yes, I did remember to tag all 12 of them!). The operating system will be by servos taken from our many RC cars which we no longer use. I,m hoping that they will be reliable, positive in operation and weather resistant enough to withstand the changes in conditions. If necessary I will make protective covers to keep them dry. If this doesn't work. I have enough H&M motors to try as an alternative. Time will tell!
- Peter Butler
- Driver
- Posts: 5266
- Joined: Sun Sep 09, 2012 10:33 pm
- Location: West Wales
Just a little addition to the layout presentation to report.... I do like to see things finished off and not just left wanting! I have now boxed in the support legs and all of the cables under the layout with shiplap planking. This is painted green to match the shed and hides away all of the untidy items that otherwise distract the viewer.
Also, I have built two small structures from resin kits which I bought secondhand but unmade. These were very basic with poor casting on the sections. Resin had crept throught the mould and caused lumps of material to build up in areas. A lot of filing and scraping was necessary to get them into shape and even then, some sides were bowed. Generally a lot of work.
However.... if I could, I would buy some more as they have made up into nice little buildings. Unfortunately, I can't find any trace of the manufacturer on line, so I guess they are no longer available?
Other work is now taking priority so there may be a short intermission..........
Also, I have built two small structures from resin kits which I bought secondhand but unmade. These were very basic with poor casting on the sections. Resin had crept throught the mould and caused lumps of material to build up in areas. A lot of filing and scraping was necessary to get them into shape and even then, some sides were bowed. Generally a lot of work.
However.... if I could, I would buy some more as they have made up into nice little buildings. Unfortunately, I can't find any trace of the manufacturer on line, so I guess they are no longer available?
Other work is now taking priority so there may be a short intermission..........
- Peter Butler
- Driver
- Posts: 5266
- Joined: Sun Sep 09, 2012 10:33 pm
- Location: West Wales
Just for you, Richard, I have drawn a track plan.... As previously explained in this thread, I could not decide on a plan and only when I had laid three boxes of track decided it wasn't right and started all over again!
The attached 'plan' therefore is not a plan at all. It is an end result after all the track had been finally laid.
There is a large loop for continuous running with the possibility of reversing direction at the crossover. A station terminus outside as well as the one inside the shed. Run round for locos to change ends at both stations with the additional option of the reversing triangle between the shed and the loop. There is a siding for a loco on-shed and two storage sidings which also double up as steam preparation lines. If I haven't thought of everything it's too late now!!!
Also, the other small building which I described earlier.
This includes detailing not supplied in the basic kit. Guttering and downpipe, Roof end boards with cross piece and finnials, glazing and door knob. It still needs a sign on the door to state its purpose.
Last for now is my foot crossing to allow passengers access to the island platform from the car park and ticket office (when built). I put this in today when I should have been doing other things!
The attached 'plan' therefore is not a plan at all. It is an end result after all the track had been finally laid.
There is a large loop for continuous running with the possibility of reversing direction at the crossover. A station terminus outside as well as the one inside the shed. Run round for locos to change ends at both stations with the additional option of the reversing triangle between the shed and the loop. There is a siding for a loco on-shed and two storage sidings which also double up as steam preparation lines. If I haven't thought of everything it's too late now!!!
Also, the other small building which I described earlier.
This includes detailing not supplied in the basic kit. Guttering and downpipe, Roof end boards with cross piece and finnials, glazing and door knob. It still needs a sign on the door to state its purpose.
Last for now is my foot crossing to allow passengers access to the island platform from the car park and ticket office (when built). I put this in today when I should have been doing other things!
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