elevated rack rail using decking planks

GNB

GNB

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rack-rail-640.jpg Recently completed an update to an old rack railway using inexpensive decking planks and elevated it about 12 inches above part of a refreshed alpine garden using off-cuts of 3"x 3" fence posts. Shuttles from within a small greenhouse to an interchange with the mainline at the lower level.

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Here`s what it looks like in our very late evening sunshine.
 
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Took me a while to sort out the perspective. I think we're looking up the slope .... ?
As 55.5 says, looks really neat!

Rik
 
nicely done......some say that my line should have racks because of the gradients!!
 
ge_rik said:
Took me a while to sort out the perspective. I think we're looking up the slope .... ?
............
Rik
Click to expand...

As rack locos always push, I'd agree......

Looks great! :)

Jon.
 
very nice!!
 
A few update pictures showing the rack railway terminus with new high level mainline extension.

Overview from higher level rack railway with the high level mainline extension below.
Note the novel use of cantilevered terminal roof structure using plastic patio tiles and decking off-cuts.

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Multi-level garden railways can be fun! You can enjoy views of your high level plants and climbers.

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Another view of terminus showing structures and clearances. The decking off-cuts are slotted to locate into the webbed under-structure of the plastic end-tiles. The webbed under-structure gives the stiffness to the tiles to allow the terminus roof to be supported from the central column.

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Mainline extension passing under the rack railway. The taller rack railway supports were constructed using hardwood tree supports.

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More structural detail seem from the steep curving rack railway approach to the terminus.

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Hope you find this useful ;).
 
Very neatly done. I must say, looking at the pics, it's almost surreal - the railway seems to almost float above the plants. ;)
 
Thanks Trammayo, the effect can be surprising and adds to the enjoyment. Here's a similar image with less of a colour clash along with a hint of clematis :).

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This is part of one of the curved sections that are cut from 3/4" outdoor ply treated with dark brown shed preservative. If you look on some of the other images they appear with a grey edging. This are the older sections that have been in place for some years and the edging is a grey painted plastic trim applied with super bond wood-glue. I find this effective in protecting the integrity of the ply and seems to last the extremes of the weather of Northern Scotland.

Raising the track even by small amounts and associating it with complimentary planting produces pleasing effects and brings the garden into the railway. Brightly coloured LBG rolling stock add to the fun ;).

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Since it was supposed to be a rack railway thread here's a suitable alpine themed image with Zugspitz rack set ploughing through a bed a small saxifrages.

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The constructional point to note in this image is the supporting timber screwed to the base of the decking plank. This stiffens the structure and allows longer runs of unsupported decking. Judicious selection of the grain cross section matched to the decking plank minimises warping. Like the decking planks it's low cost and comes tanalised for outdoor use.

The Alpine Chapel is completely off topic and was constructed from a simple Pola kit bought with the savings made from buying the timber ;)!
 
Wow what an incredible live excellent please share more
 
Thanks for posting more photos - I really love the setting!

I'm no gardener but I really admire those who can create such lovely displays.

You are at a much higher latitude than me, yet everything seems to thrive! You have certainly shown another dimension to our hobby.

Your plywood seems much better quality than that available here. I see no gaps in the lamination (which would be apparent here!).

Enjoyed your views and, as Steve asks, more are always welcome!
 
The quality of even WBP plywood is not what it used to be.. I believe this is partly due to a change of wood used to make it??
Faster-growing species are used with a lower quality threshold for the veneers used as well.
 
PhilP said:
The quality of even WBP plywood is not what it used to be.. I believe this is partly due to a change of wood used to make it??
Faster-growing species are used with a lower quality threshold for the veneers used as well.
Click to expand...

I think you're spot on there!
 
Thanks Steve & Tramayo. Here's an early morning view of an elevated section that forms part of a reverse loop.

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This illustrates the long runs that can be achieved by the under supported decking planks, which come in a convenient 2.4 m LGB track friendly length. Note the cunning disguised support post hidden behind the ceanothus. For those interested in the Alps, the white flowering plant behind the loco is an Edelweiss. No trouble growing them at these latitudes. Long summer days and dry winters helps.

Here's a view of a simple line-side structure constructed from a treated decking off-cut and another plastic end tile..

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Total cost about £3.50. I'm sure they could even be used for platform ramps.

Sorry PhilP but I'm not responsible for the quality of your Water and Boil Proof (WBP) plywood. Nothing is what it used to be ;).
 
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Yes that support is hard to spot! Nice pics.

I have two questions; What are these plastic patio tiles and where would one obtain them?

Oh! A third question - how do you manage to get the sunshine? ;D
 
GNB said:
Sorry PhilP but I'm not responsible for the quality of your Water and Boil Proof (WBP) plywood. Nothing is what it used to be ;).
Click to expand...
Ain't no such thing as waterproof plywood. Some grades withstand outdoor conditions longer than others, but they'll all come apart before a decent piece of solid lumber.
 
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