Chris Vernell
45.29 N, 75.75 W
Chris is always confused
Fallowfield Road 2019
- Thread starter Chris Vernell
- Start date
Chris Vernell
45.29 N, 75.75 W
Having an idle moment in late afternoon, I took hold of the former main-line plank and looked at the alignment for the long-pondered branch line.
Marvellous what one can do with a spare garden chair, and the level was almost dead-on.
Just needs a bit of trimming at the junction end to fit.
Looking north, the line will turn left along the fence (currently overgrown with green stuff that will meet the shears
) to a small terminus (big railway connection?) The line to the fence needs to be easily and quickly removable to allow utility persons access to the Hydro transformer and a Bell distributor box.
Marvellous what one can do with a spare garden chair, and the level was almost dead-on.
Just needs a bit of trimming at the junction end to fit.
Looking north, the line will turn left along the fence (currently overgrown with green stuff that will meet the shears
) to a small terminus (big railway connection?) The line to the fence needs to be easily and quickly removable to allow utility persons access to the Hydro transformer and a Bell distributor box.
Hm looks like a perfect match, can see the seat not being available for future bum use.Having an idle moment in late afternoon, I took hold of the former main-line plank and looked at the alignment for the long-pondered branch line.
View attachment 254856
Marvellous what one can do with a spare garden chair, and the level was almost dead-on.
View attachment 254857
Just needs a bit of trimming at the junction end to fit.
View attachment 254858
Looking north, the line will turn left along the fence (currently overgrown with green stuff that will meet the shears
Chris Vernell
45.29 N, 75.75 W
Oh, it will be restored to its proper place in the firmament
; I has pieces of wood to make supports -- no new purchases required 
Chris Vernell
45.29 N, 75.75 W
Got out in the cool this morning, sanded down the plank I'm using for the branchline extension and gave the top a coat of stain; when it's dry tomorrow, I'll turn it over and do the underside.
Then I brought my soldering kit into the shed and started to assemble block wiring connections.
Got the first set done:
Switch bank in place.
16-gauge automotive wiring attached to a Split-Jaw insulated clamp. When the switch at the other end of the wires is closed, the current bridges the gap.
The other end of the wires. I tested the switch with a multimeter, and it works as intended
At this point, the sun was over the house roof and the heat was making itself felt, ...
... so I found the yard office building that will (I hope) keep the switch bank out of the weather and put it in place.
And then I retreated to the a/c.
More wiring early Saturday, I hope.
Then I brought my soldering kit into the shed and started to assemble block wiring connections.
Got the first set done:
Switch bank in place.
16-gauge automotive wiring attached to a Split-Jaw insulated clamp. When the switch at the other end of the wires is closed, the current bridges the gap.
The other end of the wires. I tested the switch with a multimeter, and it works as intended
At this point, the sun was over the house roof and the heat was making itself felt, ...
... so I found the yard office building that will (I hope) keep the switch bank out of the weather and put it in place.
And then I retreated to the a/c.
More wiring early Saturday, I hope.
Rhinochugger
Retired Oik
Having an idle moment in late afternoon, I took hold of the former main-line plank and looked at the alignment for the long-pondered branch line.
Marvellous what one can do with a spare garden chair, and the level was almost dead-on.
Just needs a bit of trimming at the junction end to fit.
Got the first set done:
Switch bank in place.
16-gauge automotive wiring attached to a Split-Jaw insulated clamp. When the switch at the other end of the wires is closed, the current bridges the gap.
The other end of the wires. I tested the switch with a multimeter, and it works as intended
At this point, the sun was over the house roof and the heat was making itself felt, ...
Marvellous what one can do with a spare garden chair, and the level was almost dead-on.
Just needs a bit of trimming at the junction end to fit.
Got the first set done:
Switch bank in place.
16-gauge automotive wiring attached to a Split-Jaw insulated clamp. When the switch at the other end of the wires is closed, the current bridges the gap.
The other end of the wires. I tested the switch with a multimeter, and it works as intended
At this point, the sun was over the house roof and the heat was making itself felt, ...
Chris Vernell
45.29 N, 75.75 W
A bright, cool morning got me outside to cut some leftover lumber into trestle pieces for the projected branch line.
I had thought I would have to buy some 2x8s to aupport the "10-foot diameter" (actually 3-metre) curves and risk the wrath of the Comptroller General, but it turned out that a couple of pieces of 2x6 left over from the back-steps project work fine, so I duly applied Mr Chopsaw to cut six segments.
I will have to buy a couple of 10-foot 2x4s for the next stage, as the two I bought last year have twisted while stored in the shed. They will be cut into shorter lengths for cross-bracing.
I had thought I would have to buy some 2x8s to aupport the "10-foot diameter" (actually 3-metre) curves and risk the wrath of the Comptroller General, but it turned out that a couple of pieces of 2x6 left over from the back-steps project work fine, so I duly applied Mr Chopsaw to cut six segments.
I will have to buy a couple of 10-foot 2x4s for the next stage, as the two I bought last year have twisted while stored in the shed. They will be cut into shorter lengths for cross-bracing.
Chris Vernell
45.29 N, 75.75 W
Assembled the first bent for the branch line.
The wood is PT and cedar leftovers from other things -- some several years old. I will stain it before fastening it to the plank
The wood is PT and cedar leftovers from other things -- some several years old. I will stain it before fastening it to the plank
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Chris Vernell
45.29 N, 75.75 W
Next job, assembling the curved roadbed that will turn the branchline crossing the grass to follow the back fence. "Curved" is actually a set of straight 2x6 segments with angled ends. Six segments for a 60-degree curve.
The 2x6 roadbed segments are held together with 2x4 "fishplates", glued (Titebond III) and screwed in place.
The 2x6 roadbed segments are held together with 2x4 "fishplates", glued (Titebond III) and screwed in place.
Chris Vernell
45.29 N, 75.75 W
Bright, cool morning 
, so forth I sallied ...
... and by 0820 EDT I had levelled the trestle deck on the bent, screwed them together and aimed the assemblage northwest towards the back fence ...
... and ready for the next stage, the curve to take the line from northwest to west(ish). This will take some time: the ground is definitely not level.
, so forth I sallied ...
... and by 0820 EDT I had levelled the trestle deck on the bent, screwed them together and aimed the assemblage northwest towards the back fence ...
... and ready for the next stage, the curve to take the line from northwest to west(ish). This will take some time: the ground is definitely not level.
Chris Vernell
45.29 N, 75.75 W
After lunch I dragged out the table saw and ripped a couple of pieces of 2x4 to make joiners for the straight and curved trestle sections.
The end of the curved section will "hook" over the end of the straight to allow quick removal.
That takes care of level; I am still pondering line.
The end of the curved section will "hook" over the end of the straight to allow quick removal.
That takes care of level; I am still pondering line.
Chris Vernell
45.29 N, 75.75 W
So this morning I went out to fit the curved trestle section to the straight and level it so I could measure for the bents.
The six-foot level came in handy.
I wouldn't want to run a train over such spindly supports
; however, ratcheting clamps in expander mode make levelling easy.
The deck blocks are there to weigh down the penny pavers, for which I cut away the "turf" (a.k.a. weeds), and provide a raised base for the clamps. The deck blocks will be removed once I have built the real bents.
Outbound view, and a view of the Hydro transformer that makes it necessary to have the branch trackbed easily removable: "No obstructions within 10 feet (or 3 metres, since we are officially metric
).
Having applied the tape measure, I have drawn plans for the two trestle bents, which will be shorter than their neighbour because the ground ain't level. Mr Chopsaw will be out again Saturday morning.
The six-foot level came in handy.
I wouldn't want to run a train over such spindly supports
; however, ratcheting clamps in expander mode make levelling easy.The deck blocks are there to weigh down the penny pavers, for which I cut away the "turf" (a.k.a. weeds), and provide a raised base for the clamps. The deck blocks will be removed once I have built the real bents.
Outbound view, and a view of the Hydro transformer that makes it necessary to have the branch trackbed easily removable: "No obstructions within 10 feet (or 3 metres, since we are officially metric
).Having applied the tape measure, I have drawn plans for the two trestle bents, which will be shorter than their neighbour because the ground ain't level. Mr Chopsaw will be out again Saturday morning.
Chris Vernell
45.29 N, 75.75 W
Saturday morning saw me hauling out the chopsaw and ... well, chopping lumber for two more bents. I took a break from the midday sun 
, and other activities intervened, but in the evening light after supper they were ready for trial fitting.
And, by jiminy, they worked out to be exactly the right height
: no need for the shims I had planned for. The penny pavers aren't quite in the right place, but I may not bother with shifting them.
I am arguing that an easily removable trestle is not an obstruction, and I hope never to find out otherwise.
Overall view of the railway with the new branch. Next stage, building a board for the branch terminus, which will be similar to the quarry siding "board", the brown thing at centre right. I already have most of the wood cut for it, but I have to buy two new 10-foot 2x4s for the length; the two I had both twisted in storage over winter. One I sliced up for the underpinnings of the curved trestle section; the other will suffer a like fate in due course.
, and other activities intervened, but in the evening light after supper they were ready for trial fitting.
And, by jiminy, they worked out to be exactly the right height
: no need for the shims I had planned for. The penny pavers aren't quite in the right place, but I may not bother with shifting them.
I am arguing that an easily removable trestle is not an obstruction, and I hope never to find out otherwise.
Overall view of the railway with the new branch. Next stage, building a board for the branch terminus, which will be similar to the quarry siding "board", the brown thing at centre right. I already have most of the wood cut for it, but I have to buy two new 10-foot 2x4s for the length; the two I had both twisted in storage over winter. One I sliced up for the underpinnings of the curved trestle section; the other will suffer a like fate in due course.
Chris Vernell
45.29 N, 75.75 W
Went to Home Depot this morning to get lumber for the branch terminus. I had been intending to buy 10-foot PT 2x4s, but if they had any I couldn't see them. The summer DIY season is winding down, and HD's selection is pretty 'orrible. So I picked out the three straightest 8-footers and a 2x6, brought 'em home and started to put them together.
Two of the 8-foot 2x4s, with cross-pieces I cut last year. I will cut the third 2x4 to make an extension piece, somewhere between 2 and 4 feet long (for a complete "board" from 10 to 12 feet long. The two "fishplates" are offcuts from last year's backsteps project, hence the angled ends.
The site of the terminus. A ten-foot "board" will reach the tree; anything longer will squeeze past it. The deck blocks mark the mandatory 10-foot clearance from the Hydro transformer.
Two of the 8-foot 2x4s, with cross-pieces I cut last year. I will cut the third 2x4 to make an extension piece, somewhere between 2 and 4 feet long (for a complete "board" from 10 to 12 feet long. The two "fishplates" are offcuts from last year's backsteps project, hence the angled ends.
The site of the terminus. A ten-foot "board" will reach the tree; anything longer will squeeze past it. The deck blocks mark the mandatory 10-foot clearance from the Hydro transformer.
Chris Vernell
45.29 N, 75.75 W
Nice sunny Sunday for the last long weekend (Labour Day) of summer, so I laboured to set up the framework for the branch terminus.
A spot of measuring, some simple arithmetic (blessed be the calculator), some chopsaw work, et viola, three legs. Clamped two in place, double-checked the level from the trestle (almost perfect), inserted a multitude of screws, then fiddled with the single leg to set the level along the terminus framework; slightly high at the outer (tree) end, but bubble still within the lines, so more screws.
Then added the two-foot extension to bring the length up to 10 feet; I'll apply diagonal bracing to help support it. Can't move the leg farther out because of a large root bulging out of the ground. There's six inches clearance between the framework and the tree, which will allow it some growing room.
The framework is tarped over now because of forecast rain. Work will (I hope) resume later this week.
A spot of measuring, some simple arithmetic (blessed be the calculator), some chopsaw work, et viola, three legs. Clamped two in place, double-checked the level from the trestle (almost perfect
), inserted a multitude of screws, then fiddled with the single leg to set the level along the terminus framework; slightly high at the outer (tree) end, but bubble still within the lines, so more screws.
Then added the two-foot extension to bring the length up to 10 feet; I'll apply diagonal bracing to help support it. Can't move the leg farther out because of a large root bulging out of the ground. There's six inches clearance between the framework and the tree, which will allow it some growing room.
The framework is tarped over now because of forecast rain. Work will (I hope) resume later this week.
JimmyB
Now retired - trains and fishing
Phil they are called Deck Blocks (in the UK)
Heavy Duty Deckin' Block - Wrekin Concrete Products - Telford, Shropshire, Midlands
Heavy Duty Deckin' Block - Wrekin Concrete Products - Telford, Shropshire, Midlands
Chris Vernell
45.29 N, 75.75 W
"Deck blocks" in North America, too. Indeed, I have a bunch under my deck and under my shed. Much easier than trying to dig post holes to frost level (48" hereabouts) in stony ground, and they keep wood posts away from earth.