Nearly made my mind up!

S

Sarah Winfield

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I think I'm going to opt for the lightweight "deckin" blocks which could give me a railway height of 9 to 12"..

Has any member used cable trays for supporting their track please? I was thinking of a cable tray say 12" wide which I could cut into shorter pieces for my curves. This would be screwed to wood batons the thickness of the slot in the block which would hold quite stable and securely.

Not too temporary and not too permanent.

I would welcome members thoughts or advice.

Sarah Winfield
 
Sarah Winfield said:
I think I'm going to opt for the lightweight "deckin" blocks which could give me a railway height of 9 to 12"..

Has any member used cable trays for supporting their track please? I was thinking of a cable tray say 12" wide which I could cut into shorter pieces for my curves. This would be screwed to wood batons the thickness of the slot in the block which would hold quite stable and securely.

Not too temporary and not too permanent.

I would welcome members thoughts or advice.

Sarah Winfield
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Sarah, I remember at least one person on the previous forum (G Scale Mad) - yes, so now you understand where a lot of it comes from, the madness that is - who used this method, and I think we also had one member in the antipodes with a slightly drier climate than ours.

One of the issues is that it is only fairly lightly galvanised, as it is not intended for exposed conditions, and also that you end up with unprotected cuts. It has attractions in its size and ready availability, but personally, it's not one of my favourites.

You can drill, plug and screw directly into lightweight blocks, and many members, myself included, tend to only fix their track at approx 6ft -10ft intervals to allow for any thermal movement; probably on the basis of the last few months that'd be shrinkage rather than expansion :devil::devil: The idea being that the track can move in and out a smidgen on a curve, and won't therefore pull at the rail joiners - seems to work OK, and my first railway was down for about 6 years, current one is in its second full season.
 
It's not working out at all well. I can't seem to buy locally the pyramid shaped lightweight blocks. I like the idea of these as they can lock the track support for security and they have a nice big base. I can obtain them but the cost of carriage is as much as the blocks themselves.

There is an alternative, please see https://www.manomano.co.uk/filter/laying-and-maintenance-of-decking-372?sellers=2301146 but again I seem to be having problems obtaining this system local to Christchurch in Dorset.

It might be back to the drawing board,

Sarah Winfield
 
I've used cable tray for bridges, but I had to cut them with an Angle Grinder.

I am planning to use some as a roadway with the tracks passing underneath, on my new layout....
 
image.jpg Hi Sarah
Unlike 'Rhino' , I'm a big fan of cable tray, the bridge above was built some 10 years ago, there is a lift up section to the left, to give access . The hinge is a 'ladder hinge' which came from an old pasting table. The pillers are thermolite blocks, cut to shape with an old wood saw and glued together. The cut ends of the metal can be sprayed with Galvspray, obtainable from 'Toolstation' to stop them rusting . The support wire , which is purely cosmetic, is 10 mm earth wire. With 15mm copper pipe crimping 6mm earth wire and crimped and bolted with lugs on the deck. On the other end ( if you spin the wire in a drill chuck, while holding one end in a vice, it stiffens it up nicely) the tray is slotted , which provides drainage and allows me to fix track with electrical zip ties. I shape the cut rail at 45* in the direction of travel to aid lining up of the track, on the lifting section. I have seen people use weed membrane under the track, which allows for ballast.
I have used the tray on curved sections of track, cut with a jigsaw and pop riveted to fix it.
I will be having a 'G scale open day here in South Oxon, in August, if you can travel? If you would like to see it for real There are quite a few of my Solent friends coming already. Just email me for details
Dave
 
Sarah Winfield said:
It's not working out at all well. I can't seem to buy locally the pyramid shaped lightweight blocks. I like the idea of these as they can lock the track support for security and they have a nice big base. I can obtain them but the cost of carriage is as much as the blocks themselves.

There is an alternative, please see https://www.manomano.co.uk/filter/laying-and-maintenance-of-decking-372?sellers=2301146 but again I seem to be having problems obtaining this system local to Christchurch in Dorset.

It might be back to the drawing board,

Sarah Winfield
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OK, I may have missed some earlier discussions - Sarah, are you working off hard landscaping (slabs, concrete etc) or soft (grass, earth beds)?
 
Those pedestral from manomano are a very good idea. I was quite surprized when I saw your idea. First time I see this for a railroad.

Looks quite suited to your need with around 10 inches height and they are easily adjustable; This can be useful for fine tuning the track.
The cable tray are galvanized steel ? if yes just select a very good paint to make the painting once.
 
Rhinochugger said:
OK, I may have missed some earlier discussions - Sarah, are you working off hard landscaping (slabs, concrete etc) or soft (grass, earth beds)?
Click to expand...

I have about 6' of slabs outside the back of my house. From the end of the slabs to the end fence is nearly 14' of stone chippings. Hence that lightweight decking supports would have been fine.

The "pedestal type adjustable decking support" from ManoMano might offer an alternative if I can find a stockist locally.

The other way I considered was lightweight blocks similar to breeze blocks.

I continue to investigate ways of supporting my track.

Sarah Winfield
 
Sarah Winfield said:
It's not working out at all well. I can't seem to buy locally the pyramid shaped lightweight blocks. I like the idea of these as they can lock the track support for security and they have a nice big base. I can obtain them but the cost of carriage is as much as the blocks themselves.

There is an alternative, please see https://www.manomano.co.uk/filter/laying-and-maintenance-of-decking-372?sellers=2301146 but again I seem to be having problems obtaining this system local to Christchurch in Dorset.

It might be back to the drawing board,

Sarah Winfield
Click to expand...
Exactly what I suggested in one of your other threads! Work a treatime and easily adjustable
 
I have been considering the working height of my railway, and though I can see all the benefits of a raised (24 inch(ish)) track bed, I feel it will just not look right in my garden. Reading the "Coffee Lounge" daily I notice a lot of railways have there track beds at ground level, and I do thing these (generally) look better, though there may be some height to add relief.
 
If I had mine at ground level it would be necessary to dig a 5' trench next to it to save me having to bend down all the while.

At 73 I can still get down to ground level but like getting out of my bath I must use ways and means of getting upright again.

Sarah Winfield
 
There is / was a member named Granitechops, his railway was built especially as he was in a wheelchair. Where there is a will there is a way, and relatives.
 
JimmyB said:
I have been considering the working height of my railway, and though I can see all the benefits of a raised (24 inch(ish)) track bed, I feel it will just not look right in my garden. Reading the "Coffee Lounge" daily I notice a lot of railways have there track beds at ground level, and I do thing these (generally) look better, though there may be some height to add relief.
Click to expand...

Although a ground-level line will probably look 'better', and you can use natural planting, we all have to consider how long we want to be able to enjoy the hobby, and our degree of mobility, both now and in the future..

Do seriously consider a raised line if you are of advancing years, or are already having mobility issues. - It may not look as 'nice' but consider Mr Duffy's 'Lazy Grange Bay III'..
 
PhilP said:
Although a ground-level line will probably look 'better', and you can use natural planting, we all have to consider how long we want to be able to enjoy the hobby, and our degree of mobility, both now and in the future..

Do seriously consider a raised line if you are of advancing years, or are already having mobility issues. - It may not look as 'nice' but consider Mr Duffy's 'Lazy Grange Bay III'..
Click to expand...
I fully agree with your comments in your last paragraph. My railway is at a hight of 34 inches and it allows me to operate it comfortably standing or whilst sitting down.
 
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