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mick

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Everything posted by mick

  1. He'll be needing someone to hold the other end of the tape measure
  2. I don't think I measured the length of each circuit again after adding the shed so this is what I recorded on the Selby Garden Railway website at that time: - In total, when completed it is estimated that a full circuit of the Selby Garden Railway will be approximately 130 feet in length which equates to a scale distance of about 1.87 miles. It used to take some trains more than 2 minutes to do a full circuit when running at scale speeds. Of course, it's not that long anymore Looking forward to hearing from Roy
  3. I'm very familiar with the'GrumpyGrandad' style (excellent videos) but I'm not sure it would work for me. The trains I want to run are longer than would comfortably fit within a glass topped case. A standard rake of 36 MGR wagons would work out at approx 15 feet total length and one of my reasons for venturing outdoors was to be able to run scale length trains so I don't want to compromise on the number of wagons. I'm not sure that Pam would be that keen on a long shelf inside the house Cassettes would certainly solve the problem of placing stock on track but given the example above, at 15 feet or more in length they're going to be a bit unwieldy. Perhaps two smaller cassettes could be joined together so that only an intermediate wagon would need to be coupled/uncoupled? I don't think anything can be as good as having full length storage roads but has anyone worked out the value of even just half a dozen complete trains? Yes it would be difficult for an intruder to take the whole lot but there's every possibility that many would be damaged during his/her failed attempt. Maybe I'm just going to have to take my chances once I've done everything I can to possibly deter unwanted visitors with the addition of lighting, alarms, bigger dog etc..
  4. A few thoughts... My decision to build an outdoor garden layout came about due to a lack of suitable space indoors for an OO gauge model railway. I had explored all the available spaces within the home and it was clear that without enduring a high level of discomfort up in the roof space that the garden was the only place left to me. It is a decision I have never once regretted. Now, our impending house move leaves me with a much larger roof space available than in my existing home (although I have yet to pop my head through the hatch to take a look at the internal structure) and there's the possibility of making use of the seperate garage. I am, however, keen to continue my journey with an outdoor garden railway, safe in the knowledge that my own experiences to date and the work of the owners of all the layouts featured on this forum prove that an OO gauge garden railway can be 100% successful under all but the harshest of conditions. Now my dilemma... There are many things to consider before building a garden railway and although it might be clear where the tracks will be located, its how the models themselves are stored that concerns me most. In an ideal world there would be sufficient storage roads for all your locos and rolling stock to be available for use via the flick of a point switch at any given time. I really don't enjoy removing loco's, coaches and wagons from individual boxes at the beginning of a running session, only to have to return them to their boxes later in the day. Unfortunately, leaving stock unattended within the confines of an outbuilding raises the issue of security. Before I can even begin to contemplate laying any track I really need to think about how I can store my trains without having to continually use the individual boxes that each item was sold in. If I need lengthy indoor storage roads then I'm going to need somewhere secure to house them. If stock is to be removed from the track after each running session then clearly something more convenient than those individual boxes is required. I know that modular exhibition type layouts have to store the necessary rolling stock in boxes or trays for transportation purposes and that stock is on track only during periods when the layout is assembled, but a garden railway isn't always operated for extended periods at a time. Often there's a desire to have a short running session, perhaps just an hour or two, when it would be inconvenient to have to place a whole load of wagons and coaches on track for that duration and then have to remove them all again. Does anyone have any suggestions for suitable means of storage, given that I would like to be able to have probably a dozen full length trains (12 coaches, 30-40 wagons) on track at any one time?
  5. Agreed..be good to see something rounding that curve!
  6. It's a mind-boggling construction Roy and until you actually start to see all the accompanying photographs it's not clear just how much 'engineering' has gone into putting it all together. I know you have (and have explained) your reasons for making such a substantial structure but the prepatory work involved in removing all those brick weights and opening up the covers would discourage me from playing! In addition, I'm not so sure the weather over here would stay fine long enough for 'play' to begin before the covers would have to be put back on, which sounds very much like a game of English cricket! The great thing about this forum is that we all share an interest in much the same thing but our different geographical locations mean we each have our own special requirements when it comes to putting it all to use. Having experienced the work required to dismantle the SGR and dispose of the rubble (made worse by the fact that Selby Council now limit residents to a maximum of 2 car boot loads of free hardcore/rubble disposal per month!!) I'm looking for something that's easier to lay, stable, and that would be a simple matter to relocate or dismantle. I would imagine, Roy, that you have no plans to move yourself in the immediate future?
  7. Joking aside Chris, your thread is so much better for the inclusion of some photos and they're excellent photos into the bargain. Welcome aboard!
  8. It felt terrible when I started breaking it apart I can tell you, even Pam said she felt upset about it, but it's only a material thing and it can be replaced. Had I actually completed the layout then it might have felt even worse! The decision to move and to dismantle the layout is the right decision for us and there will eventually be another layout. I can assure you that the construction of the new layout will be equally well documented as the original Selby Garden Railway and work on it will commence just as soon as possible. I've gained additional motivation and inspiration from the many other layouts that have now been documented on the forum - something I didn't have when I first started out, so I have all of you to thank in return.
  9. I'd suggest pinning the track temporarily until you have several lengths down. I find it's much easier to lay track straight when you have several lengths together and although a 'tracksetta' can be used with great results, in my opinion there's nothing better than the human eye for highlighting track irregularities. Get down to track level and look along the rail tops - if there's a bit of a kink then you'll soon spot it and a gentle tap at the offending sleepers will have it straightened out. You'll be fine with it once it's pleasing to the eyes.
  10. I think integration into the existing garden and my desire not to do anything that might distract from it will obviously mean it needs to be a more sympathetic construction, so there'll not be any breeze blocks or heavy concrete foundations this time. I'm unable to say exactly how the layout might evolve because I've not spent enough time gazing at the space available but that'll be something I decide on over the coming weeks. I'd like the station to have roads alongside the platforms where trains can be held whilst others pass by and there's a decent number of resin cast buildings available that should make up a nice little station. I'm not convinced of the merits of shunting outdoors so unless I change my mind later it will be just a station for passenger traffic. You can get away with minimal architecture outdoors so there's no need to go overboard. The new garden has a more open aspect whereas my existing garden is more enclosed and private. The openess is quite apparent when you take photographs of the garden and find yourself having to point the camera downwards to avoid photographing adjacent dwellings. It's something I'll either have to get used to or need to do something about. There's a conifer hedge along the bottom of the garden which has unfortunately been cut down too far and with little likelihood of it ever growing back properly to its previous height. It's either going to need removing completely and new specimens planted or replaced with a wooden fence, which would give more immediate results.
  11. Before a sod's been turned or any sleepers have been pinned, we have at least come up with what we consider to be a suitable name for the new garden railway - this being the 'Worsley Dale Garden Railway'. Even with just a name to be going on with it's easier to begin to visualise the things I'd like to incorporate into the new layout, many of which never made it into the previous layout. The main focus will be a small station by the name of 'Worsley Dale'. Unlike the Selby Garden Railway where construction was able to take place within a garden that had no existing features or borders, the new layout will need to be incorporated into a mature garden that has been lovingly tended for many years and which I would like to preserve as much as possible. It's not a garden that makes claim to have been cultivated to a professional level but one where the narrow borders surrounding a well kept lawn have been nurtured with great passion and dedication. We're approaching the time where we have to put things behind us and move forward and so later this week I'll be posting a few photos of the location for the new railway and some of the obstacles that will need to be overcome. At least having a new name for a new layout softens the blow of the currently ongoing demolition of the old.
  12. I purchased some 'budget' priced ballast in two different sizes that looks very much like proper granite ballast but is clearly something else. I was, however, under the impression that the Woodland Scenics range of ballast was actual stone ballast. WS manufacture such a diverse range of ballasts and other similar scatter materials that their products will undoubtedly be derived from various sources; crushed walnut, as mentioned by traingeekboy, perhaps being one such source. It will be interesting to hear how your ballasted tracks hold up through the coming months.
  13. Well, talking of looking to the future, the new layout will be simpler to build and much easier to dismantle and dispose of should that need ever arise. I'm still not sure exactly how I'll be constructing the new layout but there's been lots of different ideas aired on the forum to give me plenty to go on. We had a ride through to the new home today to do some measuring up inside and I spent a short time sitting out in the garden trying to visualise what I might be able to do. The slope down towards the far end of the garden shouldn't pose too much of a problem, especially now that I am aware of the consequences of introducing any gradients onto the layout. I'm not sure where I can fit the shed for the indoor storage loops or how I will best be able to access it. Luckily there is an electrical supply already laid on into an adjacent building so that's at least one less thing I'll have to worry about. I did take a few quick photos so that I have something to refer to and I'll post a couple of those later this week.
  14. I'm hoping to take the greenhouse along. After the number of years I've waited to finally get one I can't believe that within a few weeks everything would have changed and we'd be in the position of having to make such a decision. Anyway, the decision has been made and it's time to move on. The entire veggie patch will have to be started again My brussel sprouts have had an infestation of mealy aphids and although I've tried a 'safe' spray as recommended elsewhere, I have found that a diluted mix of water and plain washing up liquid clears them away better. A good blast with the hosepipe shifts them too but it needs doing at frequent intervals. I'm not keen on spraying chemicals and am happier with the water/detergent mix. The plants themselves appear not to be harmed at the moment but the aphids sap the plants of strength until they eventually succumb if not treated.
  15. It appears that the security of your account may have been compromised. Looks like someone using your username has posted a photo in the gallery section. I will of course put a stop to it immediately! The cheeky beggars eh?
  16. Well from here that looks absolutely stunning! The neighbours allowed you to paint half of their brand new fence sky blue? You must have a very good relationship with them - or perhaps you did have? Now that you've teased us with the aerial view you really must show us some close up shots. I can't get over how good it looks and how you've achieved so much in such a narrow space. Food for thought there with my new layout. What type of glue have you used for fixing the ballast?
  17. Well the first piece is a start. I wish I was in the position of being able to say that I'd laid my first length of track for the new layout. I'm dreading the work!
  18. I'll take your word regarding the tea and coffee making Roy. Wouldn't want Pam getting any wrong ideas with a long length of cloth in the vicinity of my neck How on earth do you manage to pour IPA onto a piece of cotton wool one-handed? I bought my supply of IPA in a plastic one gallon container and getting the top off would be nigh on impossible with just one hand let alone lifting and pouring onto a piece of cotton wool.
  19. A momentous occasion indeed! Congratulations on the video 50% speed reduction - barely discernible - and good to see something on the move. I'd still be holding my breath when trains are passing on the curve depicted in the first photo Are you sure that's a photo of 'after' the realignment? The clearance still looks very tight but if you're sure you can get by without fouling.... I was looking at the price of track the other day. It appears that the wooden sleeper type has increased in price to, as you suggest, approx £64 per box of 25 yards, while the concrete sleeper type remains £10 cheaper at 'only' £54 for 25 lengths. (source: Hattons) I guess you'll be on the look-out for a decent controller now? Do you have anything in mind?
  20. Ooohh...looking forward to that!
  21. Looking really good Rob - the bridge looks very effective. How I wish I'd decided to build my base on simple wooden supports I agree that the Skaledale and/or Scenecraft range would be ideal for outdoor use and that a coat of varnish would be good protection. There's a vast range to choose from with additions to both ranges being added all the time. Shame about the rain preventing further progress today but that's all part and parcel of a garden railway!
  22. Dismantling of the Selby Garden Railway commenced this afternoon and although it felt extremely sad after all the work I had previously done putting it all together, it was also a time to look to the future. I began by lifting the track from next to the shed and it came up without much difficulty and without any significant damage. http://www.selbygardenrailway.co.uk/images/construction/IMG_5739.jpg' alt='URL>'> The wooden housing affixed to the shed, in which it was intended to house all the pointwork for the sidings, was also removed before the decking board base was unscrewed and lifted. I had hoped to be able to salvage some of the breeze blocks but getting them apart without causing any major damage proved impossible as they are so brittle. In the end I just had to knock them out the best I could - there's no way on earth I'll be building the base like this next time! http://www.selbygardenrailway.co.uk/images/construction/IMG_5741.jpg' alt='URL>'> Not wishing to accumulate too large a mound of broken masonry until I was able to dispose of it, I turned my attention to the wooden viaduct and this was duly removed along with the short section of wall that leads to the bridge where the lines cross over each other. The following 3 photos show this area in the process of being cleared. http://www.selbygardenrailway.co.uk/images/construction/IMG_5742.jpg' alt='URL>'> http://www.selbygardenrailway.co.uk/images/construction/IMG_5744.jpg' alt='URL>'> http://www.selbygardenrailway.co.uk/images/construction/IMG_5749.jpg' alt='URL>'> The viaduct is still in relatively good condition but it won't be coming with us to Doncaster. I haven't the heart to break it up just yet but I'll get round to it soon. The larger of the 2 viaduct sections is shown below after removal from site. http://www.selbygardenrailway.co.uk/images/construction/IMG_5748.jpg' alt='URL>'> I've now got myself a nice pile of rubble to dispose of before I dare think of taking the big hammer to anything else. The curve around to the opposite entrance to the shed and a large section of the long back straight are all to be demolished leaving just the blocks down the left side and around the top curve intact. That's as much as I'm going to do, other than lifting the remainder of the track, as the remaining blocks are serving the dual purpose of also holding back the borders.
  23. You didn't get that forecast from my weather station did you?
  24. It's frustrating enough trying to couple those blooming electrical connectors between loco and tender when you've got the use of both your hands so I can imagine your frustration at having one hand out of action. It sounds like it's going to be a long road to recovery, and a painful one at that, but just hang in there, take things easy, and make sure you get on the mend real soon! Don't go overdoing anything and making the situation worse - the railway will wait until you're up to it again.
  25. I'm looking forward to being entertained for the coming months and you can bet I'll be around to share in all your misadventures so keep posting details! I've begun the task of boxing up the rolling stock that's been left out on track and collecting things together ready to take to their new home. I had thought of lifting some of the outdoor track but didn't quite get round to that - perhaps tomorrow. Once the track has been lifted I'm hoping that it won't prove difficult to take up the breeze blocks too, although I'm not sure that I'll be needing them again as a foundation for the new layout. Once I feel it's time to share photographs of the new garden then you'll be able to see what kind of space I have available and how the garden slopes away from the house. To preserve as much of the new garden as possible (something I am keen to do) the layout will be at ground level at its point closest to the house and although I haven't had the chance to measure it, the land slopes probably by about 3 feet or so to its lowest point (but that's a guesstimate). If I can locate my indoor storage area (wooden shed) at that lowest point then at least the indoor area will be at a better working height than my current set up. I expect I'll make mistakes again with the new layout but there are at least one or two things I have learned and which I will try to improve on.
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