New Lines.

P

Paul M

Registered
Country flag
Probably a bit late for most folk on this forum, but there's an interesting method of track laying in the new 16mm Today magazine using plastic plumbing parts. Seems a neat answer to many problems.
 
He has 2 different diameter waste pipes one inside the other and screw clamped for height adjustment. This is topped with a double water clamp. The track bed is built on blue plastic water pipes covered with builders mesh, all held together will cable ties, and back filled to support the track. Seems very quick and easy to get the track level. Not so good for raised layouts, but good for ground level. The article explains in great detail with sketches.
 
Was reading this just today, appears a very good system for ground level and slightly higher lines. Well worth joining the 16mm society for some of the ideas that come out in the superb mag.
JonD
 
Although it might be quite difficult to keep the water pipe rigid, you will have to really pack the soil tightly under the mesh work
 
Paul M said:
Although it might be quite difficult to keep the water pipe rigid, you will have to really pack the soil tightly under the mesh work
Click to expand...

Brunel tried piles - considered to be a failure:).

Are we talking 'blue pipe' as in MDPE (or HDPE for large diameters?). It normally comes in coils up to 180mm pipe diameter - does it come in straight lengths also? It would sure beat rot and decay.
 
Trammayo
It's the smaller blue pipe that's used to link domestic properties up to the water main. I've only seen it in coils.
As you say, it should be rot proof. If it ain't there's going to be big trouble in years to come :rofl:
 
Paul M said:
Trammayo
It's the smaller blue pipe that's used to link domestic properties up to the water main. I've only seen it in coils.
As you say, it should be rot proof. If it ain't there's going to be big trouble in years to come :rofl:
Click to expand...

I guess I have difficulty with how rigid it would be and, as you say, it would really need the soil compacting. Intriguing concept though.
 
The pipe and Expamet combined when tied together with Cable Ties would I imagine create a pretty stable structure, not walk onable like much of my line is but more than adequate. A good friend of mine used 1/2 plumbing pipe for a spiral using a boiling hot water system to get the curves he required in the pipe. He used Grey Pipe where the mag article uses blue, probably pretty similar stuff. Though I have bought the grey in straight lengths whereas I have seen the blue in coils. The spiral created was pretty stable and in many places as the soil compacted supported in mid air. In the recent 16mm society article the ground supports are spaced 4-500mm apart so a good degree of stability will be obtained by that. Ground fill will of course over time sink the surface but as the top has small size ballast that can just be filled in, though with the size of ballast on the Expamet being pretty large in this case it looks like varying fill with other material to the track side and below the Expamet may be required over time. For those unsure what Expamet is, it is used for Screed and Wall Support with Concrete and Plaster. Can be obtained from a Builders Merchant as can all the parts of this system. In fact my local Wicks could supply the whole kit and caboodle.
JonD
 
I think the weak link would be the cable ties. Even the black (outside) type only seem to last a couple of years.
 
G-force1 said:
I think the weak link would be the cable ties. Even the black (outside) type only seem to last a couple of years.
Click to expand...

But if they were buried in the ballast, then the UV would not get at them..

I have seen several year old ties.. They are pretty brittle, but do hold unless disturbed.
 
One good thing about this system, it looks fairly easy to make alterations to your set up, always a problem with more solidly built lines. I'll be rebuilding my line soon, I hope, so I will definitely give this method a lot of thought. The cable ties could be changed for stainless steel ties for a longer lasting solution.
 
Andrew B. Middleton said:
How about a photo of this method of track-laying, I can't even imagine it!
Click to expand...
Problem is we would be commuting copy right infringement of the 16mm Society Magazine. Do you not know anyone that is a member? On the other side if you want to join any Garden Railway group, this is the one to be in.
JonD
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom