SCGR Projects: The Scampington Viaduct

Discussion in 'Walls, paths, roads etc' started by clive_t, Feb 28, 2019.

  1. clive_t

    clive_t Full Member

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    Hi all, by way of easing myself back into the rigours of renovating the SCGR trackbed, I thought I might share with you a retrospective on one of the more complex PW structures I built back when we (the line and I) were a lot younger. Namely: the Scampington Viaduct, completed in 2004.

    It's quite significant in the development of the line, for the principal reason that it was the first time I used Celcon blocks in a construction - the ability to cut them to the desired shape whilst still maintaining a modicum of structural integrity was an attribute that would lend them to other projects right up to and including the present day.

    The basic premise was to cut the blocks to a manageable size:

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    For each block, a simple cardboard template was employed to get the desired - and consistent - arch shape:

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    Then the arch was cut out using an old saw:

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    A bit of elbow grease was needed to smooth the arch to the required shape:

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    The exercise was repeated (x5) to cover the whole span:

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    They were then cemented in place:

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    The whole structure was then clad with a mortar mix:

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    Then I decided I wanted a sort of a Romanesque look, so I looked for some suitable cladding - and eventually found, in my local tile supplier, some Turkish limestone tiles which I cut into smaller blocks:

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    I then stuck these on with tile adhesive:

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    Finally, when all was complete, I tested it with an Engineer's train:

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    ... followed by the first passenger service!

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    All in all, about a couple of months' work!

    Obviously this is a large scale application, but such is the ease of cutting and light weight of Celcon blocks, to my mind there is no reason why a similar structure could not be made quite successfully for smaller scale - indeed indoor - layouts.

    I can report that the although the weather has not been kind to it down the years (most of the cladding has gone), but the basic structural integrity of the viaduct is still intact. I will try and get a photo of its current state soon.
     
    Last edited: Feb 28, 2019
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  2. Timbersurf

    Timbersurf

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    ...and I thought I was doing my viaduct the hard way!
    Cracking job! :tophat:

    Shame the cladding has not survived well :(
     
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  3. mikejh

    mikejh Full Member

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    First class job looks brilliant

    Mike
     
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  4. ianvolvo46

    ianvolvo46 Staff Member Moderator

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    I can't say much Clive other than :tophat::tophat::tophat: stunning work

    Ian vt
     
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  5. clive_t

    clive_t Full Member

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    Thanks, folks for your replies. As promised, I got outside this morning and took a photo of how it is now:

    [​IMG]

    You can see some of the blocks have fallen down in the few months since I last cleaned up in that area. I managed to collect up most of the ones that had previously fallen off, with a view to maybe re-cladding the structure. The more I look at it, though, the more I am inclined to just let it be - it's taking on a new character, but not necessarily in a bad way!
     
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  6. ianvolvo46

    ianvolvo46 Staff Member Moderator

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    Hi Clive personally I love it as it is now .. heaps of character I reckon it would be one of my favourite locations to sit and watch the trains :thumbup::thumbup:

    Ian vt
     
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  7. mikejh

    mikejh Full Member

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    I’m with Ian looks more natural, by the way that’s some serious off roading going on there.

    Cheers Mike
     
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  8. clive_t

    clive_t Full Member

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    Thanks chaps, lol yes I've only just noticed that myself! Apparently the last words (ever) uttered by the driver of that pickup were: "Hold my beer..." :)
     
  9. ianvolvo46

    ianvolvo46 Staff Member Moderator

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    :avatar::avatar:
     
  10. Matt

    Matt Full Member

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    I love the viaduct and the way it's naturally weathered over time. I guess that's an attraction (and curse?) of garden layouts?

    Matt
     
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  11. clive_t

    clive_t Full Member

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    Thanks Matt, yes nature's intervention is very much a double-edged sword - turn your back for a few weeks, and suddenly you've got the Amazon rainforest setting up camp in your garden! That area around the viaduct is almost entirely in shade even when it's sunny, so the moss growth, although slow to take off, looks in-scale with the line.
     
  12. Andy_Sollis

    Andy_Sollis Staff Member Moderator

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    Is the driver OK? That ford Pickup looks like it’s been ran off the road and ended up in a ditch :avatar:

    Hopefully the viaduct (Which was/is brill by the way:thumbs:) will repair with some glue? A resin may help?
     
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  13. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    I agree with the rest, leave the bridge as it is. Looks great with the ageing effect.

    Terrific

    Toto
     
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  14. clive_t

    clive_t Full Member

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    Thanks gents, yes I must admit it's growing on me by the minute - I wish I'd stayed out in my garden for 15 years, I might have aged better :avatar:
     

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