LESSONS LEARNT & New developements, replacements, repairs, after winter onslaught

[Granitechops]

Been here before, " Spring into Action" etc, etc.
but this year its not just cleaning up debris of twigs, dead leaves & so on
somethings need updating, track bases that proved to be less lasting than anticipated
lineside scenery that have been superceded & now the space can be utilised for something else
Bridge maintenance
Plant restructuring - pruning & transplanting
For example, The Stoneyard last September (2010) looking a bit folorn & weed stewn

this was first used for a photoshoot back in June 2006, when it was the only space for a working stoneyard
Where the plants are along the front there is where the second track now is

This was long before the Canal Basin developement
Howard in the stoneyard this morning about 10am
That tree on the left is the little one in the previous pic! ( quite slow growth for 5 years, probably because its in a raised well drained bed)

 

[Granitechops]

Re:New developements, replacements, repairs, renovations, after winter onslaught

So dig out the loose stone & uncover the bricks that were used to save on the volume of sieved gravel used originaly

Try in place the sleeper retaining wall ( been waiting for an oportunity to try this out since seeing it done by an OZ/NZ member on GMad)

like the real thing, sleepers are fixed into the stone pile so the weight of the stone holds the barrier in place ( I of course used offcuts so most are not full length, but it still works)

Fill with stone till it escapes realistically

 

[Granitechops]

Re:New developements, replacements, repairs, renovations, after winter onslaught

The gaps left between the layers of front sleepers by the ones into the bank,. gives plenty of drainage & saves on the Dam effect

itinerant platform tried in place, One for Mel, Howard looking at an ad for a certain railway

import platform seat & coach for test run past

Too big a gap, so raise platform one block higher

looking down back of Halt

 

[Granitechops]

Re:New developements, replacements, repairs, renovations, after winter onslaught

Since the Canal Warfe & Basin developement
http://www.gscalecentral.net/tm?&m=57332&high=canal+basin&mpage=2
There are now much bigger areas for working loose stone, so the idea is that the new Halt will serve those tourists taking the heritage trail around the quarries to join a train here that will take them to Lidon mine for an underground trip , an as yet unexploited facility

Using as yet to be built wagons such as these pictured in May 2003 at Morewhellam Quay

 

[yb281]

Re:New developements, replacements, repairs, renovations, after winter onslaught

Excellent as ever Don. I still get very tempted to try 1/12th, especially when I see your and Steph's railways plus the stuff that Steve Warrington sells.

 

[Granitechops]

Re:New developements, replacements, repairs, renovations, after winter onslaught

Thanks Ross,. thanks Mel
close up of poster that Howard is looking at

Origin of poster
I photographed this somewhere on a heritage railway, was it at Llanfair?

 

[Granitechops]

Derelict station

clear out slate debris & plants

slate slabs broken & chipped edges

Damp seems to be coming through from back, as butresses, separate components are not so affected by peeling paint

Frost spalled off corner of stonework

 

[trammayo]

Looking good - and so life-like

 

[Granitechops]

First step, wire brush off loose stuff
use screwdriver in mortar course & rebrush firmly
Seal with Thompsons Water Seal
paint with grey acrylic paint

splash with black wash

dab with burnt sienna

smear with damp cloth

do same with off white

 

[yb281]

Nice job Don. Must admit, I liked it over-grown and abandoned, but I'm just weird .

 

[New Haven Neil]

I'm with Mel - being both weird and liking it overgrown!

Fantastic shots as usual Don - brilliant.

 

[Granitechops]

Thanks Nigel
& Neil &Mel,
I like it overgrown & neglected too, reminds me of early pics of Tallylyn
But its been like that ( Limekilns station that is) for about 3 years now
& its time the railway got some income from such an asset!!!

 

[Granitechops]

Replaced 2 corner slates that never got cut to size, after adding tunnel to end of platform,
& finding more had to be cut off the corner than I originally thought

filled in under platform edge right out TO EDGE, ovgerhang looked good
but visiting youngsters wanted to walk all over the platform before they could be stopped

leaving broken slates that I have now been able to fill out to the edge with the new wall facing in place to support it

 

[Granitechops]

Corner of concrete that the frosts spalled off were just cleaned up
& painted to match rest of stone to represent frost spalling in real life!!
but the shelter is looking deserted

so obtain some J shaped wood moulding, glue 2 lengths together for seat & back
cut some 1.5 inch alim angle to size & super glue to wood, to form leg ends
& paint with humbrol enamel

Find seated people to test for comfort

overall view, top Platform ( Upper limekilns) needs building
woods already cut with new saw blade
& then stairs need adding to join the 2 levels together

The Azaelias are blooming lovely this year, & unusually,
both the pink & red ones are flowering at the same time
usually there is a break of 2 -3 weeks between

 

[Granitechops]

For the conecting steps, this tree stump will have to be removed or reduced

 

[Granitechops]

BUT
before the top platform can be built investigations have to take place,
as it looks like subsidence has taken place
fortunately the track was built on treated timber over this section, but that may also need replacement aftyer 4-5 years
concrete was not used for the track bed over this section as the raised bed the Azaelias & Acer are in was of narrow profile & therefore low volume for moisture retention. But as the Acer has grown about 3 foot already this year, I dont think I will have to worry much abouit that one, its roots have probably reach natural ground level by now. It is possible that the subsidence was caused by a huge ant nest that formed there 3 years ago

 

[Granitechops]

Well apart from a 15 inch section by the bridge that was plywood the rest would have gone on for 4-5 years more I recon, but once it was out the whole section wil be set on a concrete base
Track removed, exposing treated gravel board on 2 40mm x 18mm bearers

plywood rotting, but not bad for 4-5 years, probably used as I was impatient to complete track & had no more treated timber to hand

 

[robsmorgan]

Brilliant Don,
Really like the realism of good weathering.... keep up the good work! :admire:

Rob

 

[Granitechops]

Thanks Rob
dodging the drizzle & spots of rain, got the top cleared & concreted