Garden Railway Forum

Congrats Peter - very well deserved

Thanks guys, it is always nice to be recognised for ones work. I have to think about a theme for next years show now.... because we are a general modellers club with no particular specialisation I am trying to include as many members as possible. How about, 'A moment in history'?..... this could be of any period, subject, scale etc. and any age group could relate to it. What do you think?

Firstly Peter,

Congratulations on your 1st place, it is well deserved. Congratulations also to the young lady winning her 1st place with her model too.

I agree with the “Moment in History” idea Peter, it’s so diverse. A load of brilliant models could be made from that. Also the rest of them will need to excel to beat you again.

Well deserved, Peter. Very gratifying to receive recognition for your efforts.

The question hanging in the air is, of course, what next?

Rik

How time flies..... it was May 6th last time I added anything to my own thread, although I have been active elsewhere. Up to date I haven't had anything to report but today, taking advantage of the reasonably fine weather (?) I decided to tackle a less demanding job in the mid-day sun. Having thought long and hard about siting my village structures I began by constructing some timber shuttering. These are to raise the individual buildings at slightly differing heights to create interest and replicate a natural landscape, also to allow me to install ducting under the raised roadways to allow for drainage.
So far I have installed one of possibly eight such items...... That was the easy part... the real work started with wheel-barrowing all of the necessary infill material, ballast and cement, all up an incline from road level to railway, probably 30ft. higher, then hand mixing eight loads of concrete and laying it in the scorching heat!..... At least it will dry quickly and I can move on to the next after replenishing stocks of ballast and cement, and oh yes.... something called water, which is becoming very scarce in our trickle of a stream.

Interested to see how this develops, Peter. I like the sound of various levels.

Rik

Looking good Peter some good concreting skills there

Glad to see progress once again, I've missed your updates. Not sure that that heavy stuff was wise in the hottest weather in creation though, don't go and give yourself a heart attack!

Nice to see your progress Peter, we have all missed your brilliant line. One thing though mate, won’t the heat set the concrete too quick and start to crack. I was always told to cover the concrete with a tarp, to help with the setting, so the sun didn’t draw the moisture to quickly from the mix.

Please correct me if I’am wrong…..

Tidy work Peter, you must be losing weight in this heat!

bazzer42 wrote: ↑Wed Jul 11, 2018 8:02 am Tidy work Peter, you must be losing weight in this heat!

I could do with it but it doesn't seem to be working, something to do with calorie intake I presume?
More materials purchased today whilst out doing the weekly shop.... combined they filled the back of my car, and it's a big one!
Timber shuttering made for each of the structures, carefully sited and levelled and filled with concrete, heavy work (again) but essential to make a start on the village scene.....
I will need special concrete walling sections cast to act as retaining walls, as well as steps etc. and have spoken with Cain Howley to make some for me. His structures are wonderful and he lives just across the valley from me, very handy for transport of heavy items! He is also one of our 16mm Association South West Wales Local Area Group Members so we meet regularly.

This is going to be a very attractive village.

This is what we've been waiting for, for a long time Peter, and it isn't going to disappoint, clearly. I really don't envy you with all the concrete mixing, my back will no longer allow me to even think about anything like that, unfortunately.

Your mind must be working overtime Peter, meaning your imagination to start this is brilliant.

Are you going to have working street lights too.

philipy wrote: ↑Fri Jul 13, 2018 6:13 am
I really don't envy you with all the concrete mixing, my back will no longer allow me to even think about anything like that, unfortunately.

Me either Phil.

philipy wrote: ↑Fri Jul 13, 2018 6:13 am I really don't envy you with all the concrete mixing, my back will no longer allow me to even think about anything like that, unfortunately.

cpc
My three prolapsed discs complain occasionally (constantly) but I doubt the dogs would do the work for me, so on we go!

That’s one more than me Peter, mine are both arthritic….

That looks really good Peter, if I had known I would have come and helped you. Don't know if I could have pushed the barrow up to your track tho.

FWLR wrote: ↑Fri Jul 13, 2018 6:14 am

Are you going to have working street lights too.

Rod, since I received this message I have been giving it some thought, now is the time to do it if I wish, but.... having installed working street/station lighting in my quayside and platform areas, do I sit out and operate trains at dusk?..... No! Would it be a simple task to put isolated lighting in all of my structures so not all windows were lit up at the same time?..... No! Would it be an easy task to make all removable electrical connections weatherproof if/when the structures are removed during strong winds or severe weather conditions?..... No! Will I live long enough to ever finish the basics?.... ?
My main interest is to produce a pleasing, general overview of a plausible village street scene without the frills, you might be asking for scale litter and dog mess next!!!. I appreciate street lighting is one of the essential 21st century requirements but there is only so far I feel I need to go.
However, I have made more progress on the concrete foundations and now have them all in place. It did require another collection of materials from our 'local' (8 miles each way) builders merchant, but someone has to do it! This will be the view from either end of the 'High Street', (must find out what that would be in Welsh!)

Looking good yet again.

Psst.... Don't forget to install a ladder so that the residents can get up to the Railway Hotel!