Garden Railway Forum

Platform (nearly) finished and first layer of ballast laid.
Rik

Yard is progressing well, and your workshop has weathered in nicely.

Old Man Aaron wrote: Tue Jun 03, 2025 2:31 pm Yard is progressing well, and your workshop has weathered in nicely.

Thanks. The workshop looks crooked in the photo but I assure you its walls are still vertical.....

Rik

I tried a 2:1 mix of horticultural grit and/or sharp sand:cement this time rather than my usual 4:1 or 3:1 mix. It's set rock hard. We'll see how it fares. If it starts breaking-up I'll try fixing it with a coating of SBR.

Rik

When I revamped Beeston Market Station last year, I maximised space for sidings etc but didn't leave any room for the station forecourt.
So, I extended the baseboard slightly....
.... and have now restored the café, an approach road and added some fencing.
Amazing how long a seemingly simple job has taken (the best part of this week!).

Rik

ge_rik wrote: Sat May 30, 2026 8:15 am

So, I extended the baseboard slightly....

As you do! Been there done that....!

Looks good though Rik, well done.

That's a beautiful little setting Rik, one of the advantages of being out in the garden, being able to grab a bit more real estate.
Grant.
PS I like the T Ford.

Great work.
Without the forcourt it would not be the same.
I like seeing thing just appear in the background of the trains instead of the scenery ending just beyond the track.

BTW - The tea room was based loosely on one which stood just outside the mainline Beeston and Tarporley Station many years ago



Rik

Really nice touch to give 'life' to your railway. That little addition make such a difference.

ge_rik wrote: Sat May 30, 2026 11:07 am BTW - The tea room was based loosely on one which stood just outside the mainline Beeston and Tarporley Station many years ago
Rik

Looks a very accurate representation Rik, nice one.
Grant.

LNR wrote: Sat May 30, 2026 2:09 pm

ge_rik wrote: Sat May 30, 2026 11:07 am BTW - The tea room was based loosely on one which stood just outside the mainline Beeston and Tarporley Station many years ago
Rik

Looks a very accurate representation Rik, nice one.
Grant.

Thanks Grant
I constructed it pre-3D printing so it's all plasticard - apart from the filigree over the front door which someone laser cut for me after I provided the artwork.

Rik

ge_rik wrote: Sun May 31, 2026 5:57 am I constructed it pre-3D printing so it's all plasticard

I was going to make a comment, but perhaps I better not!
Grant.

LNR wrote: Sun May 31, 2026 6:53 am

ge_rik wrote: Sun May 31, 2026 5:57 am I constructed it pre-3D printing so it's all plasticard

I was going to make a comment, but perhaps I better not!
Grant.

Nuff said. I know 3D printing is not everyone's cuppa tea.

Rik

Something as simple as just adding that periphery, really adds to a railway. Awesome as always Rik.

I have one of those "T"s too, beautiful thing. Glad to have it, hard to find good ragtop models in this scale..

I have now also rebuilt the cattle dock. Originally, the dock was constructed from Jigstones mouldings but I was never entirely happy with it. I've now constructed it from PVC foamboard clad in styrene embossed stonework (I couldn't face the prospect of scribing my own stonework (my hands are becoming arthritic)).
I did, however, indent the top surface to resemble granite setts .....
Rik

Just in case you've not seen them. My latest videos depict "A Day in the Life of Beeston Market Station"







Rik

As usual, great videos.
In the first part, about 8:55 there seems to be a derailed wagon on the right.
How about a service train, picking up the crane wagon from Beeston Market and putting it back where it belongs?

Good idea. I might work on that for a future video.

Rik

Some nice additions there (IMHO). The forecourt and cafe really do add to the scene.