Bernigadine, my garden railway.

[railaddict]

In 2012 I bought second hand a Bernina Abe 4/4 Nr 30 in its yellowlivery from a friend.





and a small shunting loc, both for free!






At the time I was running a small model railway shop, specialized in H0m models (Bemo), and generally narrow gauge. I had been contacted by Massoth and planned to build a garden railway to be used as a demo layout. Swmbo had three grandsons and I thought it would be great tolet them use it as well.


Having no experience in this scale and in building a layout in a garden, I asked a friend if he could help me. First thing was to find a place where to build it and Swmbo suggested the following place

 

[railaddict]

Now I had to find a plan for the future layout.

I used Any software to design the layout.

This is how it looked like



but suggestion was made to modify in order to let trains cross safely by adding 4 points



and finally led to the current design



Being in a hurry to see the result, I laid the track to the ground to see how it would be

 

[railaddict]

Here is one more photograph.



There are two stations: Susch and Zuoz. The plan mentions on the right side a place called "atelier" this is the shed where the trains were supposed to stay after the day, but the project was never finished becaus Swmbo did not like it. So I used this track for the cleaning loc.

We will see the start of building the definitive layout in 2013.

 

[korm kormsen]

We will see the start of building the definitive layout in 2013.

i love it, when people plan well ahead...

the project looks ambitious, but well planned.

 

[dunnyrail]

Here is one more photograph.

View attachment 356545

There are two stations: Susch and Zuoz. The plan mentions on the right side a place called "atelier" this is the shed where the trains were supposed to stay after the day, but the project was never finished becaus Swmbo did not like it. So I used this track for the cleaning loc.

We will see the start of building the definitive layout in 2013.

Are you track power? If you have with either track plan you have created ‘reverse loops’ that can and will cause short circuits. Have a look at Nodrog ‘s post that resolved a similar problem in DCC. Resolving it with Analogue a bit simpler by using LGB EPL Point Motor auxiliary switches on the new points to change polarity for sections when train cross over.

 

[pugwash]

Will the track be on the ground or raised a bit? I ask because as we grow older we grow taller so the ground seems further and further away.
An ambitious project, I look forward to watching the build.

 

[maxi-model]

Very interesting and lovely secluded setting. I have line with a lot of similarly overhanging foliage expect a lot of railhead and track cleaning. Also think about the maintainace of plants around your track and possible encroachment. Look forward to seeing developments. Max.

 

[Paul M]

Oh to have such space!

 

[Nodrog1826]

Are you track power? If you have with either track plan you have created ‘reverse loops’ that can and will cause short circuits. Have a look at Nodrog ‘s post that resolved a similar problem in DCC. Resolving it with Analogue a bit simpler by using LGB EPL Point Motor auxiliary switches on the new points to change polarity for sections when train cross over.

Just for interest as John has mentioned it...

Thread 'Reverse loop setting up, carn't get it to work. (EDIT things are now up and running, thanks for the suggestions)'

3 Aug 2025

I am well and truly stumped on this one. I am trying to install a crossover in the style of a diagonal on a oval, but in a compressed space., using a Massoth loop module.

No matter how I try and set it up I carn't get it to work, there is either a dead short in the main loop or on the actual crossover at some point, so I am open to suggestions.

The current state of play is as follows...


...those wires are for the pointmotors and the switch decoder, so ignore them.


...the module as currently wired L to R matches the clockface positions of the end wires...

• Nodrog1826
• Replies: 37
• Forum: Digital (DCC)

• 

 

[grizzmo]

Here is one more photograph.

View attachment 356545

There are two stations: Susch and Zuoz. The plan mentions on the right side a place called "atelier" this is the shed where the trains were supposed to stay after the day, but the project was never finished becaus Swmbo did not like it. So I used this track for the cleaning loc.

We will see the start of building the definitive layout in 2013.

Look forward to seeing more.

 

[railaddict]

The two reverse loops are managed by Massoth 8157001 modules. It is not indicated on the plan but I did not know how to indicate in in the Any programm.

 

[railaddict]

The message about the loops should have gone after Jon's comment about these loops, I just noticed that I forgot to post it (shame on me).

To answer Pugwash, I was only 62 in 2012 and did not have problems due to the age at that time, walking a lot and moving more than now. I discovered later elevated layouts. I also have been informed that being surrounded by trees would bring problems. I soon discovered that a cherry tree drops its cherries and these were falling on the track, not to mention the many leaves you have to collect.

We had to move some soil to level the ground. Having read a bit about the supports for the track, we opted for aerated concrete blocks for part of the course and a gravel-filled trench for another section with geotextile fabric in between.

Unfortunately in june 2013 I had a problem with my left leg. In 2020 I sprained my right ankle, in june 2021 I fell over during a walk, resulting in a fracture of my left shoulder and an operation to fit a total prothesis, in 2023 a stroke and in 2024 another fall and a problem with my right shoulder this time. And to top it all off, rats have gnawed through part of the track, severing the cables from the turning loop module and of one point.

As you can imagine, I hadn’t really got much enthusiasm left for the model railway. But after reading through the various sections of Gscale and VML (French), I got my motivation back. At the end of February this year, spring arrived early and I’d decided to start repairing the damage. But once again, I fell at the start of March and was out of action for a few weeks.

Now I’m raring to go and you’ll see over time that I won’t let myself get discouraged anymore.

 

[railaddict]

Let's go back to the construction of the railway.

To compensate for the difference in ground level between the two stations, we had to bring in earth. We used the soil excavated from the trench dug further up to form the track bed.






We began laying the concrete blocks along the wall. They rest on a bed of gravel mixed with cement.


My friend, René (who passed away in 2020), did most of this work and he wanted to do it on his own.
















Hereunder, the track on the left leads to the future pond





and the one on the right, leads to Susch station




In the meantime, we had to find a way to stabilise the now raised ground, so we laid a slab for that purpose.

 

[dunnyrail]

Love to see a new build under way, gets me broody to build a large extension to my line but no space to do that.

 

[railaddict]

During construction, we added a small pond where a few fish could live amongst the aquatic plants. It isn’t marked on the plan, but the photos should be enough to locate it. We had the choice between a natural pond or a synthetic one; we opted for the latter. The aim was to have a body of water that a bridge could span. So I bought a pond and a LGB bridge.

We shall see later that this pond was to cause us a few problems.

Here are a few photographs illustrating this topic.

 

[grizzmo]

During construction, we added a small pond where a few fish could live amongst the aquatic plants. It isn’t marked on the plan, but the photos should be enough to locate it. We had the choice between a natural pond or a synthetic one; we opted for the latter. The aim was to have a body of water that a bridge could span. So I bought a pond and a LGB bridge.

We shall see later that this pond was to cause us a few problems.

Here are a few photographs illustrating this topic.

View attachment 357251View attachment 357252View attachment 357253View attachment 357255View attachment 357256View attachment 357257View attachment 357258View attachment 357259View attachment 357260View attachment 357261View attachment 357262View attachment 357263View attachment 357264View attachment 357265

@railaddict, I am looking forward to seeing more. It is fun watching how the line was built, great stuff. Are you enjoying going back through your old photos ?

 

[railaddict]

Yes Stewie. The goal was to show how it was built. Unfortunately with the years I have forgotten some things. It brings back memories of my friend René. We used to walk every sunday about 10 km and participated to a choir.

As you will see later, the tracks have been damaged and I am going to try to rebuild it progressively. I realize now that some clever people build their railway on tables, it is easier and saves your back and your knees!

 

[Gerard]

While crawling under a table you still have to mind your head! (and your back)
Here is a solution for saving your back and knees while working in your garden.
I added 3 extra soft layers for comfort on the kneeling side.
Note: When you have to work on your knees both upright stands become very handy to lean on!

 

[Chris Vernell]

While crawling under a table you still have to mind your head! (and your back)
Here is a solution for saving your back and knees while working in your garden.
I added 3 extra soft layers for comfort on the kneeling side.
Note: When you have to work on your knees both upright stands become very handy to lean on!

Yes, that kneeler/seat has saved my knees and helped me stand up many a time.

 

[railaddict]

I do agree with you, that's the reason why I bought one two years ago but I have not go that far in the discovery of the railway and especially in the attempt to fix it.