Worksop & Poolston Railway

[littleimp]

Currently in planning stage.

Like most people I don't really have the room for a decent indoor layout plus garden railways have always fascinated me anyways.

Here's a plan of the available space.

http://onfinite.com/libraries/1636697/8f0.jpg' alt='URL>'>

The longest side is just under 60'

The green rectangle is my workshop 10'x18' with a 8x6 greenhouse next to it.

I'm hopefully going to follow the 'Kirkfield and Warmthorpe' way of construction with the main layout fiddle yard in my workshop and then going behind the greenhouse and round the largest section of the garden with a branch line going into the rest. I'm hoping to make it as scenic as I possiby can within the bounds of it being outdoors in UK weather as I want to consider it to be a model railway rather than just a train in the garden using resin/plastic buildings and weather proof scenics.

I currently have a small DC layout indoors but this will be DCC train control with more conventional point control. After much research I've decided on the hornby elite system as it covers everything I needed.

Outdoor construction will begin next spring (2011) however I'll start on the fiddle yard in my workshop as soon as time will allow as long as it isn't too cold out their!!

Theme will be late 1980's in the time of network privatisation switchover. I used the railway a lot at this time so have fond memories of it. Slam shut carriages and underground style trains all mixed together with the odd freight train passing through. I'm also going to use modellers license and have a preservation line/museum for the odd steam/ancient diesel!! I plan on 2 external stations. One near the greenhouse corner and a terminus at the end of the swimming pool line.(poolston)

[mick]

That's a really nice space you have available and the fact that your shed is orientated with the longest side running parallel to the boundary line means you have plenty of options available within it's 18 feet length. Could be just a fiddle yard area or even a large indoor station although it sounds like you plan on having the stations outside.

I like the idea of a preserved line and that's something I'm thinking about for my garden layout. It will add a lot of variety to your running and with a bit of modellers licence anything goes. It will be interesting to see how you handle the outdoor scenics although the Hornby Skaledale and Bachmann Scencraft ranges provide a good array of ready-made buildings which should be fine outdoors as I'm sure you are aware already.

There are some absolutely stunning metal bridges available for outdoor use in the larger scales (albeit at a hefty price) and it's a shame that outdoor products in OO gauge aren't better supported. I'm sure that OO gauge garden railways are more popular now than at any previous time.

Looking forward to seeing the Worksop & Poolston Railway develop.

[Dave]

Nice looking plan, littleimp Looks like it is going to be a nice layout and I'm looking forward to hearing how you get on with it as I'm going to be constructing my layout at about the same time next year!

My only concern would be if you've got enough space behind your greenhouse to get in their for maintenance, but I guess if you've got enough room to build it, you've got enough space to get in and maintain it!

[littleimp]

I'll move the greenhouse out a bit if neccesary but can't see it being a problem. I think most scenic items will be OK outdoors too be honest as long as it's not steel and securely fastened down. My main concern of building a layout outdoors was track drainage but no-one seems to have a problem with this. I'm tempted to make hinged covers that fold down to protect it from the worst of the weather when not in use but

again I'm tempted too believe it's not really neccesary. I think the loco's running in the snow pics just about sum up how versatile and weather resistant these things are too be honest.

Point motors are my next concern. I'm tempted to go with the seeps under board and seal with silicon to give a rubbery flexible membrane although the new hornby above board motors look fairly easy to weather proof. The only drawback with these though are lack of switching for point signals. It would need some sort of latching relay. All signals will be the LED type as they look a bit stronger. I'm also going to light the buildings with orange LED's too. It'll be a learning curve and I'll be testing various ideas throughout winter to see how things fair in adverse weather.

[mick]

Never had a problem with track drainage and believe me, I'd be the first to experience any if there was some knocking about!

Seriously though, during the major part of the year it isn't a problem and any standing water does quickly disperse. However, during the colder months it freezes and although you can operate after a light fall of snow which can be gently brushed aside, a thick layer of ice does put an end to any chance you might have had of running trains. On one occasion last winter a short section of my track was completely encased in a build up of ice.

Hinged covers may indeed be a good idea albeit with additional work. Could they be constructed to look the part when in position and yet not get in the way when removed? Is it something you've been giving some thought to?

[littleimp]

A picture describes it better but like this.

Thin well treated/varnished marine ply on a double hinge that just hinges up and clips down as necessary. Don't really care what it looks like asthetically too be honest as this side of the garden is just for working in and not relaxing. Too make it better looking it could be painted with flowers etc on the outside and sky & clouds on the inside once hinged up.

http://onfinite.com/libraries/1637140/488.jpg' alt='URL>'>

[IanR]

I really wouldn't go to all that trouble to protect the track as it really doesn't need it. Besides, it's nice to see the layout in winter, even when it's not in use. If you want to protect other things like scenery and buildings, well maybe. My layout has been through some bad weather, including being covered in snow and ice, and hasn't suffered at all really. I think the baseboard is the main thing to get weatherproof so spend a bit of time on it. I would imagine that layouts that are raised like mine and yours tend to air dry quicker than ground level layouts too.

I have a few Eckon colour light signals on my layout and they are standing up to the weather admirably.

Like Mick I too am looking forward to seeing your railway develop.

Good luck,

Ian.

[chris]

I thought about boxing over my track in a very similar way (a gental slope on the top would probably be sensible, roofing felt and an over hang as well) but found Ian's pictures reassuring and decided not to bother. I did think long and hard about having a covering over the points to give them and their motors some protection, but came to the conclusion that water flows where it wants and in heavy rain it would probably still get in along the track bed so I'd still have to protect my motors.

[littleimp]

I like the idea of seeing it covered in snow too so will go for the open plan. Won a early Intercity 125 set on ebay today so that' s another train to add too the collection. Not mush else gone on though, it's too bloody cold outside and in the shed!! I's love to see some pics of various garden layouts covered in all this snow were having.

[littleimp]

Bought a bargain heavy duty SDS drill that arrived today. On sale at screwfix for £30. And yes your right, they drill through concrete posts no bother!!

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/58494/Power-Tools/SDS-Drills/Direct-Power-BS26S3-5kg-SDS-Plus-Drill

[IanR]

Bought a bargain heavy duty SDS drill that arrived today. On sale at screwfix for £30. And yes your right, they drill through concrete posts no bother!!

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/58494/Power-Tools/SDS-Drills/Direct-Power-BS26S3-5kg-SDS-Plus-Drill

SDS drills are brilliant, had one for a few years now. Wish I'd had one years ago though, when I think of all the burnt out drill bits when using rotary hammer drills!!

[littleimp]

Well this has been a long time since posting. But it's still going ahead. Built a new 20x8 workshop last week and this will have a 2ft wide section at the rear & 2 sides and then entering the garden around in a large triangle and back again. Will post a plan when drawn.

[littleimp]

Here's the revised plan, basically indoor extended U shape in the workshop and round the side garden, past the pool & back again.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5443/9308285881_a72789440e_c.jpg' alt='URL>'>

Workshop just been completed, now to dismantle old workshop, move the pool & landscape & create the baseboards round the edges & insides.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3785/9311115682_5676747d92_c.jpg' alt='URL>'>

[traingeekboy]

How big a run will that give you? Nice designs BTW.

[littleimp]

20x40ft feet triangle more or less.

[traingeekboy]

So if you cut loose with the hypotanoos and multiply that by the diagonous then divide by the hipoppatamoos, you get about a 100 foot run. Not bad at all. I like your choice of color on thew shed as well.

[littleimp]

It's green box section corrugated plastic, white plastic roof, apart from the door, window & roof eaves it's all plastic so very low maintenance & long lasting. was going to go with the shiplap cladding option buit the price difference was minimal so wasn't worth it. Bought 4 8x4 sheets to construct the inner baseboards today so a job for tomorrow.

[littleimp]

Here is the inside at the moment although finished painting today so it's all white now.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7388/9317204028_12a154580e_c.jpg' alt='URL>'>

[traingeekboy]

Fridge and airconditioning unit. Seems like you're all set to go.

[littleimp]

This weekends work has seen all the inside baseboards go in. I've yet to stick the polyurethane sculpting foam on though but it's a start. 19ft on the long side and 8ft on the 2 ends. All 2ft wide with plenty of workshop storage underneath.

http://i.onfinite.com/M38Pc0zs.jpg' alt='URL>'>