The Gables Garden Railway (7 1/4")
The Gables Garden Railway (7 1/4")
Hello again!
After finally working out how to properly link Flickr images again, it is time that I put up a thread on my new garden line (although construction actually started over a year ago now....).
My previous railway (the apple valley railway) is described elsewhere on its own thread (which has details on the stock built previously) https://gardenrails.org/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=11275
The following video gives a good idea of the railway at its fullest extent:
We sold the house in the autumn of 2018, and moved to a new place with much more room for railway building.
The old railway was left in situ (at the request of yhe buyers), but all stock came with me.
After finally working out how to properly link Flickr images again, it is time that I put up a thread on my new garden line (although construction actually started over a year ago now....).
My previous railway (the apple valley railway) is described elsewhere on its own thread (which has details on the stock built previously) https://gardenrails.org/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=11275
The following video gives a good idea of the railway at its fullest extent:
We sold the house in the autumn of 2018, and moved to a new place with much more room for railway building.
The old railway was left in situ (at the request of yhe buyers), but all stock came with me.
Re: The Gables Garden Railway (7 1/4")
The original sketch for the new line:
20181213_110106 by simon mace, on Flickr
Things didn't quite end up like this, but it gives an idea.
So I hired a large van and took a trip to the miniature railway supply company http://www.miniaturerailwaysupply.com/
Which resulted in a big stack of 25mm tall steel rail:
20190127_104819 by simon mace, on Flickr
And some matching cast iron point frogs:
20190127_104834 by simon mace, on Flickr
20181213_110106 by simon mace, on Flickr
Things didn't quite end up like this, but it gives an idea.
So I hired a large van and took a trip to the miniature railway supply company http://www.miniaturerailwaysupply.com/
Which resulted in a big stack of 25mm tall steel rail:
20190127_104819 by simon mace, on Flickr
And some matching cast iron point frogs:
20190127_104834 by simon mace, on Flickr
Re: The Gables Garden Railway (7 1/4")
After demolishing two small sheds, the space next to the garage was opened up and the first lengths of track put down:
20190217_170322 by simon mace, on Flickr
20190217_170301 by simon mace, on Flickr
This section is actually built with steel bar, partly to save the "proper" rail for where it is more visible, and partly because this track will ultimatley connect to the driveway crossing (which will need all the strength it can get to withstand cars driving over it regularly).
20190217_170322 by simon mace, on Flickr
20190217_170301 by simon mace, on Flickr
This section is actually built with steel bar, partly to save the "proper" rail for where it is more visible, and partly because this track will ultimatley connect to the driveway crossing (which will need all the strength it can get to withstand cars driving over it regularly).
Re: The Gables Garden Railway (7 1/4")
Around this time I was building a wickham trolley inspired loco for a friend. These sort sections allowed for some track testing:
20190115_195730 by simon mace, on Flickr
20190115_195730 by simon mace, on Flickr
20190216_121521 by simon mace, on Flickr
20190224_124543 by simon mace, on Flickr
(Picture of the finished loco taken at the kensey valley railway)
20190115_195730 by simon mace, on Flickr
20190115_195730 by simon mace, on Flickr
20190216_121521 by simon mace, on Flickr
20190224_124543 by simon mace, on Flickr
(Picture of the finished loco taken at the kensey valley railway)
Re: The Gables Garden Railway (7 1/4")
Building points by scaling up from peco....
20190202_092149 by simon mace, on Flickr
20190202_154835 by simon mace, on Flickr
20190202_160702 by simon mace, on Flickr
20190210_095218 by simon mace, on Flickr
20190204_144156 by simon mace, on Flickr
The point blades themselves are built up from 25mm angle iron - allows them to be shaped using an angle grinder (rather than the milling that proper rail section would really need)
20190202_092149 by simon mace, on Flickr
20190202_154835 by simon mace, on Flickr
20190202_160702 by simon mace, on Flickr
20190210_095218 by simon mace, on Flickr
20190204_144156 by simon mace, on Flickr
The point blades themselves are built up from 25mm angle iron - allows them to be shaped using an angle grinder (rather than the milling that proper rail section would really need)
Re: The Gables Garden Railway (7 1/4")
A nice shot in the spring sunshine (although there is almost as much train as track at this point!)
20190317_120037 by simon mace, on Flickr
Removal of a very big (and fairly rotten) shed allowed breaking through into the back garden proper - good job we have a wood burner!
20190317_121211 by simon mace, on Flickr
The future station site takes shape:
20190317_155356 by simon mace, on Flickr
20190331_175908 by simon mace, on Flickr
Quite complex at this point to allow maximum passing loop & siding length, while also maintaining a constant 1:50 gradient (to allow for how the garden falls away further on).
20190317_120037 by simon mace, on Flickr
Removal of a very big (and fairly rotten) shed allowed breaking through into the back garden proper - good job we have a wood burner!
20190317_121211 by simon mace, on Flickr
The future station site takes shape:
20190317_155356 by simon mace, on Flickr
20190331_175908 by simon mace, on Flickr
Quite complex at this point to allow maximum passing loop & siding length, while also maintaining a constant 1:50 gradient (to allow for how the garden falls away further on).
Re: The Gables Garden Railway (7 1/4")
I was lucky that there were quite a lot of building materials left by the previous owners - still heavy though!
2019-04-14_06-03-31 by simon mace, on Flickr
The trackbed marches forward!
Here entering a cutting on a falling gradient and 20' radius curve. All of the stone was extracted while digging the cutting.
DSC_0015 by simon mace, on Flickr
2019-04-14_06-03-31 by simon mace, on Flickr
The trackbed marches forward!
Here entering a cutting on a falling gradient and 20' radius curve. All of the stone was extracted while digging the cutting.
DSC_0015 by simon mace, on Flickr
Re: The Gables Garden Railway (7 1/4")
An obstacle:
DSC_0003 by simon mace, on Flickr
Cleared and dug:
DSC_0014 by simon mace, on Flickr
At least I had a ready means to move the dirt - this was all piled up near the track for embankment building later.
DSC_0024 by simon mace, on Flickr
DSC_0003 by simon mace, on Flickr
Cleared and dug:
DSC_0014 by simon mace, on Flickr
At least I had a ready means to move the dirt - this was all piled up near the track for embankment building later.
DSC_0024 by simon mace, on Flickr
Re: The Gables Garden Railway (7 1/4")
Marking out the curve:
DSC_0021 by simon mace, on Flickr
The view from the bedroom window as the dirt pile grows:
DSC_0020 by simon mace, on Flickr
Construction trains:
DSC_0025 by simon mace, on Flickr
2019-04-18_08-51-15 by simon mace, on Flickr
DSC_0021 by simon mace, on Flickr
The view from the bedroom window as the dirt pile grows:
DSC_0020 by simon mace, on Flickr
Construction trains:
DSC_0025 by simon mace, on Flickr
2019-04-18_08-51-15 by simon mace, on Flickr
Re: The Gables Garden Railway (7 1/4")
I found digging a "guide trench" to be an efficient way to keep the trackbed more accurately aligned:
DSC_0021_1555692355392 by simon mace, on Flickr
Not all of the rocks dug out were of a convenient size!
DSC_0026_1557157693309 by simon mace, on Flickr
DSC_0027 by simon mace, on Flickr
DSC_0028 by simon mace, on Flickr
DSC_0021_1555692355392 by simon mace, on Flickr
Not all of the rocks dug out were of a convenient size!
DSC_0026_1557157693309 by simon mace, on Flickr
DSC_0027 by simon mace, on Flickr
DSC_0028 by simon mace, on Flickr
- Palmerston
- Trainee Fireman
- Posts: 194
- Joined: Mon Feb 02, 2009 5:56 pm
- Location: Southest of The Netherlands
Re: The Gables Garden Railway (7 1/4")
Very interesting post!
Live steam on 45 & 184mm, battery 45mm only.
Re: The Gables Garden Railway (7 1/4")
As the track progressed down the garden, the cutting became an embankment.
The rear wall was built up from stacked turf:
DSC_0029 by simon mace, on Flickr
And the future site of a bridge marked out:
(The railway passes over a drainpipe here, so it's an ideal way to retain access while adding a scenic feature)
DSC_0030 by simon mace, on Flickr
Looking like a garden railway
DSC_0029_1557569558999 by simon mace, on Flickr
The rear wall was built up from stacked turf:
DSC_0029 by simon mace, on Flickr
And the future site of a bridge marked out:
(The railway passes over a drainpipe here, so it's an ideal way to retain access while adding a scenic feature)
DSC_0030 by simon mace, on Flickr
Looking like a garden railway
DSC_0029_1557569558999 by simon mace, on Flickr
Re: The Gables Garden Railway (7 1/4")
Gave the steam loco a (short) run:
DSC_0033 by simon mace, on Flickr
And dad brought his loco for a visit:
DSC_0030_1558381425738 by simon mace, on Flickr
Furry track inspection:
_20190523_174134 by simon mace, on Flickr
DSC_0033 by simon mace, on Flickr
And dad brought his loco for a visit:
DSC_0030_1558381425738 by simon mace, on Flickr
Furry track inspection:
_20190523_174134 by simon mace, on Flickr
Re: The Gables Garden Railway (7 1/4")
A trackside rockery takes shape:
DSC_0030_1558188660757 by simon mace, on Flickr
DSC_0030_1558612634631 by simon mace, on Flickr
Digging and pouring bridge pier foundations:
DSC_0051_1560969627227 by simon mace, on Flickr
DSC_0052_1561287258429 by simon mace, on Flickr
DSC_0030_1558188660757 by simon mace, on Flickr
DSC_0030_1558612634631 by simon mace, on Flickr
Digging and pouring bridge pier foundations:
DSC_0051_1560969627227 by simon mace, on Flickr
DSC_0052_1561287258429 by simon mace, on Flickr
Re: The Gables Garden Railway (7 1/4")
More construction trains:
DSC_0053_1561287258214 by simon mace, on Flickr
DSC_0051_1561287258603 by simon mace, on Flickr
DSC_0053_1561287258214 by simon mace, on Flickr
DSC_0051_1561287258603 by simon mace, on Flickr
Re: The Gables Garden Railway (7 1/4")
Building a higher capacity wagon for hauling larger construction loads:
DSC_0029_1558723351775 by simon mace, on Flickr
DSC_0053_1562180804707 by simon mace, on Flickr
DSC_0058 by simon mace, on Flickr
DSC_0052_1562510501507 by simon mace, on Flickr
DSC_0029_1558723351775 by simon mace, on Flickr
DSC_0053_1562180804707 by simon mace, on Flickr
DSC_0058 by simon mace, on Flickr
DSC_0052_1562510501507 by simon mace, on Flickr
Re: The Gables Garden Railway (7 1/4")
The first 5 tons (!) of ballast is delivered:
received_2603362169698139 by simon mace, on Flickr
received_325610658324124 by simon mace, on Flickr
DSC_0052_1562787561559 by simon mace, on Flickr
received_2603362169698139 by simon mace, on Flickr
received_325610658324124 by simon mace, on Flickr
DSC_0052_1562787561559 by simon mace, on Flickr
- tom_tom_go
- Driver
- Posts: 4824
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Re: The Gables Garden Railway (7 1/4")
I have more questions when you have finished your posts but I have to ask now did you dig all this without any mechanical equipment?!
Re: The Gables Garden Railway (7 1/4")
Fortunately I had some help in spreading it:
DSC_0053_1562787561368 by simon mace, on Flickr
DSC_0054_1562787561101 by simon mace, on Flickr
DSC_0054_1563033565836 by simon mace, on Flickr
DSC_0053_1563033566039 by simon mace, on Flickr
DSC_0068 by simon mace, on Flickr
DSC_0053_1562787561368 by simon mace, on Flickr
DSC_0054_1562787561101 by simon mace, on Flickr
DSC_0054_1563033565836 by simon mace, on Flickr
DSC_0053_1563033566039 by simon mace, on Flickr
DSC_0068 by simon mace, on Flickr
Re: The Gables Garden Railway (7 1/4")
No mechanical digger - just a spade and a lot of excercise!
I have a desk job monday-friday, so this saves on a gym membership at least!
I have a desk job monday-friday, so this saves on a gym membership at least!
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