Garden Railway Forum

After 5 years and 30+ exhibitions it was time to think about a replacement for my 'G' scale 45mm gauge Hambleden Valley layout. It had to be something different. Hambleden was unique in using radio controlled live steam locos on an end to end layout involving lots of shunting of rolling stock. So this time it had to be a 'round and round'. However it also had to be different from the usual offering of unballasted track, a nod to scenery and out of the box rolling stock.

The new layout, called Pen-Y-bont, is 16mm scale on 32mm gauge track and based in Welsh slate territory. The unique feature this time is that all the scenery is made with real plants, growing in soil and it would be left outside all year, except when dismantled and transported to model railway exhibitions in the back of my van.

It's still work in progress but here's an early photo of test setup in the garden

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Looks fabulous. I hope you have good muscles, if not you soon will have, shifting that lot in and out of exhibitions!

yes, the main scenic boards are 4ft x 2ft and weigh around 20Kg depending on how wet or dry the soil is, but are a two man lift more because of the size and need to keep horizontal rather than the weight. The back scenic boards with the trees are 4ft x 1ft are are quite manageable. The rest of the set up is 3x2 timbers and trestles as used on Hambleden. The track return and fiddle yard are simple plain boards. The whole lot slides into a rack in the van, the same as Hambleden

Billy re-gauged from 45mm to 32mm waits next turn of duty



https://gardenrails.org/forum/download/ ... w&id=13927

Looks brilliant, but as Philip said, a lot of hard work to shift about, but worth it as it's quite spectacular for a portable layout.

thanks

I am sure it will attract a lot of attention if and when we ever get to exhibitions. I am hoping to be ready for 2022 but I have a lot of new stock to build because of my change in gauge.

Here's a first batch of Slaters etched brass slate wagons suitably weathered as I hate pristine stock.

https://gardenrails.org/forum/download/ ... w&id=13928

That is just jaw-dropping. To even consider making a portable layout like that shows either genius or madness.
The simple track layout withe the wide track space really makes the narrow gauge atmosphere.

More info on the construction method please.

Now that's what I call a layout. I wish I had one similar, if only for my aching back. I think it's brilliant and will be a real show stopper and winner for me. Wish I could also get to see it in real life, but Oxford area is a bit far for me.

Yes, please can we have some build photos if you have any.

Wow. Hambledon Valley really is something special, so I started reading your first post thinking... how are you going to top that?

But the quality of the modelling and planting is superb and once again this is going to be something totally unique at any show. I'm really looking forward to seeing this!

OK Due to the design brief, no wood could be used in the baseboard construction. So like Hambleden, the starting point was polycarbonate roofing sheets to which was bolted 2in deep plastic plant trays. These were fitted with 2in expanded foam insulation sheets painted matt black as a base for the track and to keep weight down as much as possible.

https://gardenrails.org/forum/download/ ... w&id=13929

https://gardenrails.org/forum/download/ ... b09960423c

Once the track was in place, the rest of the foam was cut away to make pockets for the plants,

A couple more pictures under construction before I get to the detail of planting and rolling stock. more to follow.................

https://gardenrails.org/forum/download/ ... w&id=13933

This is just brilliant and I can appreciate your concerns of transporting and handling the sections. My personal experience of showing an SM32 layout comprising many 5' x 3' baseboards, made of timber tops and frames and covered with slate and other natural materials, are memories I would not wish to repeat 40 years on!
My scenic additions were static whereas yours will alter throughout the year, interesting.

the weight is no too bad. the bare 'baseboards' and the track base are all lightweight plastic. The only soil is between the tracks and is 2in deep or less so the weight is not really a problem. Just need to keep the boards level whilst transporting hence the need for two people. I have dismantled and set it up several times with no problems. At the moment, it is set up on staging in the garden and been left to over-winter. The plants have spread well and are now covering up the joins. I will need to cut along the joins with scissors before attempting to move it again.

You're right, the scene changes with the seasons, In the summer it is a riot of colour, but right now its all green and mosses so depending which month the exhibition is, will determine the look of the layout. It will probably never look the same at any two exhibitions.

https://gardenrails.org/forum/download/ ... w&id=13935

An incredible feat with great "out of the box" thinking, loving it, can't wait to see it in bloom

Wow! That is somewhat brilliant - in concept, design and implementation.
Let's hope we can soon get back to those days when going to exhibitions and shows was the norm

Rik

Wow!

That's quite something, it looks fantastic already. Love the Billy and slate wagons too...

How are you planning to operate? I'm guessing you're not thinking of taking the "run round and round until you're out off gas" approach??? Trains passing, a little shunting?

I've obly seen Hambledon Valley once, at the last Exeter show, and found it fascinaing to watch, and more convincing than the equivilant electric layout, however accuaretely modelled. Actually, I think it impacted on how I operate my own (end-to-end) line - I've tried to relax, slow things down, and not over-react to a lifting safety valve!

I look forward to future updates...

All the best,

Andrew.

They are very welcome photos. Thank you so much for them. I and others I suspect are very envious of your build Very well done and one day we can all see it in all it's glory.