GALLERY, as in openish tunnel

[Granitechops]

In the light of experience just wanted to share this with you, the pros & cons

When I first planned my garden railway, I did it step by step, as I could afford the track etc
But basically it was a dog bone, with just a single track connecting the two return loops

 

[Granitechops]

But as I did not have the room to run the track as just shown,

decided to fold it over so that the two loops were one above the other

 

[Granitechops]

The above plans are not to scale, & are just for a general idea ( havent fully got the hang of this sketchup )

Not wanting the two track to be "in your face " as it were, as we opened the kitchen door

( My Lady is a gardener but not really fully into railways )

I decided that the top loop would be mainly in a cutting, just deep enough to hide the trains.

and the bottom loop would be outside the top loop at ground level,
but
under a planter to provide her with flowers at waist height

but that gave a tunnel that was, give or take a derailment or two, about 24 ft long.

impractical

so decided to make the tunnel a Gallery as in vaguely Swiss style with openings about a cubit apart

( fingertip to elbow )

so it took shape

 

[Granitechops]

Inside gallery

 

[Granitechops]

Add hypertuffa facing to celcon blocks

 

[robsmorgan]

That looks very tidy Don, I've got to do something with my loop to hide the concrete blocks and that is very smart!

Not so sunny today Mid Wales

Rob

 

[Granitechops]

Make stone arches around openings

allow plants to grow

 

[Granitechops]

Entry to gallery from Longstone quarry end, new tarmac in evidence,

you can just see first gallery opening through mouth of tunnel

 

[Granitechops]

Other end of gallery,
blocked off in winter to keep cats springing out on the birds

 

[Bram]

Brilliant idea there Don and it looks good too

 

[Granitechops]

I never got round to closing off the side holes properly
So temporary boards were put in place & held up with spare blocks

Not only did this look unsightly, & cause problems for my lady who has problem with her balance ( Meniers Disease)
but all the leaves etc got piled up along the bottom of the wall by wind eddies

 

[Granitechops]

Fallen Blossom collecting in the corner

 

[Granitechops]

So, as is my wont, I cast around for something to use so I would not have to buy ought

came across a 4 piece fire guard with fine mesh panels, that was out of favour with the domestic authotities

so with various bits of ends of ali angle, treated batten offcuts etc

I made some removable panels that keep wild life out, & still let me see where any derailments have happened

 

[Granitechops]

So that leaves me to make proper panels for the tunnel ends

last year the wind blew a board down & a cat pooped in the tunnel

last month a cat killed a pidgeon & left a the carcase, in pieces in there

 

[robsmorgan]

So, as is my wont, I cast around for something to use so I would not have to buy ought came across a 4 piece fire guard with fine mesh panels, that was out of favour with the domestic authotities so with various bits of ends of ali angle, treated batten offcuts etc I made some removable panels that keep wild life out, & still let me see where any derailments have happened

Love it, there's nothing more satisfying than a bit of creative recycling!

Rob

 

[steven large]

[H2]hi...i were gobsmacked with yr exellent idea..so i like tht in yr photos so what did u put on the surface mate?...what types of materails did u use it?[/H2]
exellent mate.......i like it......