Unfortunately, we have had a set back. During a running session one evening when it was persisting it down, I noticed water running down the inside wall... which is rather odd... So we took the option to remove the roof panels and see what’s behind after 4 years.. Most of the roof is good, but as you can see, some boards have gone dark, which suggests water ingress. However, we have a damp meter and they are all currently showing normal, so it’s only intermittent. It’s also the same board all the way across, which co-insides with where the felt roof sections overlap.!! The down side was that I had to remove the section that sits across the door way so we could get the roof boards outside. Although 2 panels came out, 4 will be going back as we intend to cut them in half to make removal a little easier in future if they need to come down again. I’ve also fitted some round air vents in the inside walls about 12 inches from the floor in each panel to vent them. The went on the roof and re bitumen’d the joints and tacks, some of which were loose, so hopefully the water ingress from the rain will now stop -and we can repaint the back panels again as the rain has really damaged the white paint. Anyway, they circular layout was back up and running by 4pm, but we haven’t replaced the roof panels yet. Whilst work was underway, I also cleared out the shed, swept and hoovered it, and put half of it back, however there is a huge pile of polystyrene that is soon to go to the tip that I have decided we won’t need (probably still kept more than needed!) so it’s a bit tidier in there and room for two people to move again. I’ve made some progress on laying the start of the yard but need to more points. Soon we will be back to looking at putting the posts in and the boards ready for laying the new extended circle outside which is about a 9ft radius. More soon!
Last few days some further progress has been made. As the inside (smaller) shed boarding has been completed, we have taken the opportunity to find the external board level ready for the outside. Now knowing this, dad has made a start with the first board. This is in temporary position as seen here. We’re off to the toy and train fair tomorrow to try and get some points so I can lay the main lines up to the shed wall.. then we can look at creating the “holes”. There maybe two tunnel portals as it will be four tracks coming out in to two lines (effectively half a loop). The track will run behind me and then go back in to the bigger shed near to where the broom poles are. Little bit of tree trimming will be required. We plan to put a water feature in the ground in the middle... it’s a rock pool type one, so shouldn’t be wet feet if you need to clean the track or re-rail any stock. More next week we hope!
Well we have the points, started laying the track roughly where we want it to go before we cork the baseboard and make the final hole in the outside. Posts are going in for the board supports. All starting to progress. I can see a lot of soldering coming on soon with some jumpers at rail joints. Inside the siding shed. Minimum 6 lines here, may squeeze some more in. Looking towards the outside wall where 4 tracks will leave (two loops) Outside in the first board. Just looking at where the loops may end Posts in End of the loops back inside the main shed opening out in to the yard fan.
Today was spent laying cork underlay. Trimmed around the support posts, one side has been done and glued (I’ve done it in two halves) and the other side has been cut, but not glued yet as the board it sits upon needs to be lifted to allow access to cut the hole in the wall. Four tracks have been placed and I can fit at least 6 lines in within the small shed, this may just go up to 8. If not, it will be 7 with the extra (reverser in to) siding being closest to us) approx spacing has been done and it’s looking good although I need to some juggling as the inside is at “trainset” set track spacing but the outside may just drop to streamline spacings.
Moving on, despite the showers, Dad has knocked up some boards... not quite what I had wanted, but, they do the job so I’ve bit my tongue. After all he’s done for me, would I have been right to have said it’s not what I wanted (when it’s my Dad and my sons layout in his house?) Anyway, digressing... posts are in dad was looking to postcrete the first two this afternoon. Top deck is starting to go in (helping align the posts) and we have the first 90 degrees in situe. Setting up the first post. Extending out (yes the post is vertical although it doesn’t look it in the picture!) the deck needs securing to the post to stop the turn out. It’s leaning under weight at the moment but that will have extra bracing fitted once we have dried posts (Crete). Andy
We decided today was time to take the plunge and move along. We had two boards to fit/align so we though about it and decided the best bet was to start from the shed where the track will come out. This meant making the hole! That was drawn and jigsawed out, and then we had an alignment for the inside. You can see where the current circuit runs. This will be lifted and realigned.
A curved hole to the outside, and square inside. Now, it needs some trackbed Test fit.. (I’m still holding it!) Now with the portal in place (loosely fitted) and the bed has now been screwed down to the longitudinal battons.
And so we came to test fit the last panel. No support under it yet. These last two boards are each approx 2m in length. And from the other side. Test track layed, and the new “slides” ready for the door panel. Now this is only a modified section of the deck for the door, trimmed up. There are some draft excluder strips to be fitted along the bottom.
I was going to Post these later, but I need to send my phone back (it was a replacement last week but it’s faulty) so here is the remains of the rest of the bank holiday Monday work. Post Crete of the last post. Last board in place and checked with a spirit level that does work (we found the other one was showing different results. Were not sure how? Dad looks pleased. And looking the other way at the loop. Once the postcrete was dry mum set to painting the posts. Leaving me to do some other photos Next the Pway guys move in.
Day two.. cut the tunnel mouth for the small shed which is where track laying will start (with the points, see later picture) cork underlay glued and a third part cut trimmed and glued. So it’s four tracks exiting (two running and two loop lines.) Having just fitted the door slides. The door needs some trimming and the draft excluder to be fitted. Meanwhile back in the small shed, starting to lay out the track. Test wagon for clearance. It may even be the correct spacing for a 4 track line Moving back outdoors we’re going to try fitting some thin roofing felt under the track, which we think looks quite good. Here is the test panel clamped to the test lip to form the curve. It will need some trimming etc. And no track is yet pinned down. The ends of the loops also need cutting so the dremel is at the ready. Four in to two for the rest of the run. And thats the end of the bank holiday work. Back to work in the morning.
Dad has spent the mid week ballasting the track bed with the sheets of roofing felt whilst I’ve been back at work in day shifts. Track laying to follow
Today I spaced and pinned the sidings in the small shed, and thus followed the loops out on to the first board. After a temp setup was made with the power feeds to test continuity and smooth running, the first train was run... Dad filmed this one whilst I was driving. Next time we will use a sound fitted loco
Just catching up and reading through the full thread on the build progress it’s moving along at a pace, Great progress Andy was almost expecting to see a full length train do a loop of the garden when I got to the end and saw first train video will that will be tomorrow’s video I’m liking the PVC platform that you have used may look at what’s available down under for a similar product for my G1 garden railway when I get to start building it.
That may be later today (or tomorrow to you) as the first loop has nearly been completed with a few test shuttles. Sadly, too busy with the soldering iron and wire cutters getting power to the sidings first off (and who wants to see a photo of wiring??) and then track laying 2 hrs later. Once the first (outer) loop is complete the old hornby set track curves will be lifted and then new connections made. Providing we have enough track I will then start on the inside line and then lift and connect that when complete. More later with hopefully some more video.
So here we have the first train. Driven by my son. But it didn’t all go to plan. Next we ran Tornado (purists look away at the LMS coaches behind.... the full stock hasn’t come down yet. Today we have had issues with the Gaugemaster Prodigy with WiFi. The wired throttle worked fine, but Tornado first off refused to have any functions latch on when controlled on WiThrottle whilst testing this morning. The the system would just not react. WiFi was good, but the units were not talking. Here you can see that it’s dropped again (despite having a full signal) and leaves the loco running on its own..
And finally... a mix of stock, but running around... Class 60 with some old wagons.. And a slightly more period one, but struggling to hold the phone, zoom And drive at the same time. Thank god i was sober!