The B.E.R - The Rebuild Begins!

[Soar Valley Light]

Well done Jon,

It looks great now you've got some ballast down. It's a nice, neat and tidy bit of work. Are you fixing the track down to anything or loose laying in the ballast?

Andrew

[angr607]

Thanks for all the comments guys. It's so good to finally get something permanent down!

Well done Jon,

It looks great now you've got some ballast down. It's a nice, neat and tidy bit of work. Are you fixing the track down to anything or loose laying in the ballast?

Andrew

Track is being laid loose. I've left the nails in the track from when its being removed from the wooden planks which does something to hold it in place (well, in my mind it does). That said, it is all jacked and packed to make sure its level. First trains should be tomorrow hopefully!

Speaking of track.......


The final 3 yards are down! Total running line is about 10-11 yards (I think, I haven't measured it!) but I'm happy. Plus I've got 3 bags of gravel and 5 yards of track spare ready to start across the lawn (when the parents let me...)


The spare track. Mostly in one piece. Unsurprisingly, the track on some of the newer boards didn't want to come off!

First trains (battery powered to make life easier) should be tomorrow. Stock hasn't been decided yet but may end up being the welshpool set (again for ease).

Cheers,

Jon

[angr607]

Only one image from today. First test runs were done with my IPE Jessica and two FR coaches. Surprisingly level for something I've built! Not bad really. Need to get some heavier locos running over it to start fully bedding it in but I'm happy. That's for another day unless I get back early enough from work either today or tomorrow....


Short test train under power.

Cheers,

Jon

[tom_tom_go]

Those coaches are big boys aren't they

[Big Jim]

A train of five of them behind a steamer is going to look spectacular.

[angr607]

A train of five of them behind a steamer is going to look spectacular.

You mean like this?


Leader and 5 FR coaches together.

And who knows, that train might get even longer soon....... Back from work early and the weather is still stunning. Time to break out Superior I think! Nice heavy loco should bed the track in nicely........

Cheers,

Jon

[Big Jim]

That looks mightily splendid.

[angr607]

Having got back from work eariler than planned, time to run a train. A rudy heavy one at that!

Stock was my Welshpool set which although not very heavy, don't roll as nicely as they should (I really should Oil them at some point.......) plus Superior. A nice heavy loco to test it all properly (well, it is the biggest I own!).


Raising Steam. I think I've found the perfect steam up area (for now).


After about 20 minutes light engine to let the ballast settle, The test train awaits!


Quick couple up and then.....


Off we go! Only a short run down the track but with the regulator cracked open and 20psi on the gauge, takes a surprisingly long time to get to the other end!


Leaves a surprisingly nice steam trail as well!


Run complete after about 45 minutes. Time to let the steam vent out before packing away!

Been a long time since I ran a successful train in my garden with only 1 derailment after a very rapid stop (that brick does a good job as a buffer stop!).

Safe to say I'm very happy! Bring on the next stage (most likely in February or later depending on if the parents say yes or not......)

Cheers,

Jon

[Soar Valley Light]

Very nice Jon. Congratulations on some smart work and on getting some trains running.

The pins in the track will help a lot with the alignment as they will go a long way to resisting lateral movement. This has a full sized parallel. Through bolt standard gauge track is renowned for holding gauge long after the sleepers have become 'ant fodder', screwed down chairs would have long since headed for 'Brunel gauge' in on similar sleepers!

Andrew

[tom_tom_go]

All that matters is you enjoy it mate, well done!

[Soar Valley Light]

All that matters in you enjoy it mate, well done!

Absolutely! That's the Alpha and Omega of what we are all about. I couldn't agree more Tom.

Andrew

[Big Jim]

Hear hear.

[tom_tom_go]

Have you thought about adding an inertia wagon Jon, it would make your trains run much slower and give longer run time (helps on little lines like ours).

[angr607]

Have you thought about adding an inertia wagon Jon, it would make your trains run much slower and give longer run time (helps on little lines like ours).

The thought does cross my mind from time to time. That said, I get fairly slow speeds with the engines as it is. Its just a case of choosing the right rolling stock to go with the engine!

Fingers crossed when the weather clears up, I'll get some more running in. My FR set hasn't run a one ever so might be time to correct that!

Cheers,

Jon

[angr607]

Its happening! Work has started on the extension. Its broken into two phases to make it manageable. Phase one makes use of existing track and runs for 15ft down the garden installing a passing loop and three sidings. Phase 2 finishes off the running line and will either end in another runround loop or will end in a series of sidings. I haven't decided yet. First stage of the work was to install the barrier between the garden and the railway. I'm happy with it and even with my bodging, it looks good. Next once the parents have seen it and are happy with the amount of space taken up, then the grass needs removing and ballast/track laid. Then its testing time again!


Barrier in place with track laid in place to check fit. I've even managed to fit a 45mm gauge line in as well although that might go if the parents aren't happy.


Ballast in store waiting for Sunday (or monday) for work to begin on the heavy work!

Cheers,

Jon

[bazzer42]

Nicely in line with the shed I reckon. Would it pay to treat the shed if you are going lay track down there, access could be a bit tight. That said I usually lay a couple of boards across my track if I'm treating the decking sides.

Good progress.

[tom_tom_go]

Nice busy yard area.

You thought about how you are going to go about uncoupling and operating the run around loop at ground level?

[angr607]

Thanks for the comments Gents.

Nice busy yard area.

You thought about how you are going to go about uncoupling and operating the run around loop at ground level?

The loop is arm length from the edge of the line to the furthest loop. I'm not planning on doing any coupling/uncoupling there anyway! That's for the existing main line section. That said, Its all accessable so shouldn't be a problem. That said, the 45mm might not survive for long depending on how I feel (its not something that gets used a lot if at all!) so all for the future once the 32mm in in properly with test trains run.

Nicely in line with the shed I reckon. Would it pay to treat the shed if you are going lay track down there, access could be a bit tight. That said I usually lay a couple of boards across my track if I'm treating the decking sides.

Good progress.

The Shed needs repainting fairly soon but that belongs to my parents so....... they can decide about that! The line won't run past the shed until early next year at the earliest. Something about having a Model Railway Range to support sucking up all the money at the moment.....

Hopefully, we should have some images on Sunday with some ballast down if not early next week.

Cheers,

Jon

[angr607]

Couple of days later than planned, it is done (almost). It took two of us (me and dad) 6 hours to complete but its been worth it.


The first job was the remove the turf from the section of garden. Surprisingly easy to do but still took a long time.


Next, we put down the weed proof membrane onto the ground. Something I didn't do on the existing railway and boy, do I regret not doing it!


Next, the fun stuff starts. Ballasting! First pass took 12 bags of gravel with the second pass taking another 3. The membrane got trimmed as well at this point.


First track then went down. 45mm gauge first as its easier to lay. LGB track was used thoughout and unsurprisingly was down in minutes. First time I've had 45mm gauge out in about 5 years!


Now the track that will see the most use, The 32mm! Passing loop is long enough for a Brazil and two WHR coaches (Note, WHR not FR) which should be good. Only one joint needs trimming but the weather turned awful at that point so.... that can wait for another day. The track also needs packing but I suspect that will have to wait until better weather so I can get a loco out and start to test it all!

Safe to say I'm happy with the progress. I'm out of 32mm track now plus the parents want to see it bedded in before approving stage 2 so that's for another day.

Cheers,

Jon

[bazzer42]

Nice tidy job you've made there. I'm still trying to replant moss here to hide my gravel!