The start ...

[Cadpete]

This will be an occaisional thread on the building of my first garden railway

https://8upload.com/view/5350c9edc714

If the link works this is my proposed masterplan (subject to change )
I want to elevate the track 600-800mm off of ground level to make things easier as I age, Also I live in a termite area in Australia so wooden posts in the ground not a great idea. However local council rules only allow max 500mm retaining wall so I will, with current thinking, be using a system of bases made of 30mm square galvanised tube, with bent out legs bolted to 600mm square pavers, with a 25mm square tube inserted into the base with a cross member at the top to screw planks to, thus keeping the planks well away from the ground.

Any suggestions gratefully received if this sound a bad idea etc

[ge_rik]

A great looking plan with plenty of operating potential.
Can't advise on the termites, but keeping wood off the ground is a good idea even here in NW England.

Rik

[GTB]

Any suggestions gratefully received if this sound a bad idea etc

This little slice of eastern Oz is also a declared termite area, which my neighbour found out the hard way.

This link is to my build log. https://gardenrails.org/viewtopic.php?t=11871

I decided to use an all-steel support structure with Weathertex sheet for the decking, both for weather resistance and termite resistance. Using steel also turned out to be cheaper than using wood when priced out.

Graeme

[philipy]

Graeme is the anti-termite expert around here, but, as Rik said keeping wood off the ground is a good idea wherever you are. I have found 100mm square rainwater downpipe works well for the posts, its cheap and easy to cut and never rots.

[GTB]

Graeme is the anti-termite expert around here

I also learned the hard way. The termites in this area are subterranean termites, which don't build visible nests. There's also a healthy echidna population in the area, the neighbours on the northern side had a resident one a while back.............

When I moved to this area 50 odd years ago, I had a wooden bungalow built in the back yard to use as a train room. It took the termites about 10 years to find it, but we caught them early, luckily. A Lyctus Borer infestation in the layout woodwork a year later was just the icing on the cake.........

Some years later I had my current house built a couple of streets away from the old house. There is a termite barrier under the slab of this one.

It's not paranoia when nature really is out to get you.........

Graeme

[Cadpete]

I hear you Graeme.

We lost an entire room of our house about 20 years ago, also subterainian termites. This on a newish extension by previous owners on a 1940's RSL house. Idiots had built in Pine and totally eaten away. Luckily had a fair bit of Jarrah so was able to rebuild over a Christmas holidays. No free lunches for the white devils here anymore.

We are right in the middle of Perth, not that it helps.