Outdoor layout reborn

[3 minutes of fame]

Hello, sorry it's been a while. My G45 garden layout took a back seat following some issues with rot, so I dismantled it pending rebuild.

So this weekend I got the chance to start the rebuild. I'm using the existing fence posts, as they're all in good condition, while the 19mm plywood track base has been replaced with Filcris recycled plastic "wood". This consists of 50mm x 30mm runners, with 19mm planking. This gives enough flexibility to withstand expansion and damage, while retaining a base level within 2mm over the whole circuit.



To bend the Cliff Barker stainless track into permanent curves - rather than just pinning the flexible lengths in place, I made myself a rail bender from some parts from a defunct 3D printer, and a 3d printed insert. It works very well, and can be easily adjusted.


While picking up some bits from Wickes, I saw these decking modules on special offer at £12 for 4.They are made of a quality flexible plastic, and screwed to the plastic backing frame. Perfect for platforms or bridge decks!



More pictures as track laying continues..

 

[dunnyrail]

Goad to see you back, ply fails outdoors in the end no matter the quality.

 

[3 minutes of fame]

All track now laid on the elevated section. It was nice to run some trains again after a 2 year hiatus

 

[dunnyrail]

Good to see things up n running again.

 

[3 minutes of fame]

I was glad that all the stock ran without complaint. Batteries have held up well, and retained charge, and nothing important fell off!

Next stage is to rebuild the bottom loop and station area and restore continuous running.

 

[3 minutes of fame]

More progress. The station track work should be finished this weekend. I wanted to replace a rather sharp turnout with a better built, gentler radius version, so today was spent cutting up some old Code 200 steel rail and working through a fug of methyl ethyl ketone bonding ABS components to the sleepers.



I'm quite pleased with the end result, which hopefully will provide many years of operation.

This is the only turnout on the layout that needs an operating lever. All the rest are sprung, as they are either trailing, or simply provide access to runaround loops. This makes operating the layout extremely simple, with the only choice being whether to run the train into the Terminal platform or loop.

Hopefully I'll be running trains on the whole layout by Monday evening.