raised track

[barryw]

with increased mobility issues i'm thinking i will build a layout raised from the ground my main concern is how to minimize the impact on the garden not wanting to make the layout dominate the garden any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated on a similar note i would like to cast a 20ft viaduct on a curve in concrete what width would i need to make the arches between the uprights has anyone done it and made a realistic looking job thank you
or is it another pipe dream!!
barry w

 

[mike]

hi barry, it is possable, if you have the time andput the effort in..
mine was built up, 2ft off the ground , on treated timber , fake grass ,roofing felt for roads,cast concreat viaduct,...

 

[hagen]

David Jenkinson did have such a layout, but finding pictures of it online has proven fruitless. But here is a german chap's go at a viaduct
http://www.buntbahn.de/modellbau/viewtopic.php?t=7330&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0 < Link To http://www.buntbahn.de/mo...torder=asc&start=0

Also, you might consider simply going for Cain Howleys premade items.
http://www.cainhowleystructures.co.uk/viaduct--bridge.html < Link To http://www.cainhowleystru...k/viaduct--bridge.html
Rather reasonably priced I think, but postage is not cheap at all... £600 to get two "starters" to Norway.. grumpf....
So looks like I have to "steal" Bertel's idea

 

[barryw]

Mike thank you i have always admired your efforts unfortunately or fortunately i need to build it in the middle of the garden possibly on 4x4 posts and will need to plant around the structure to minimize the inpact

Hagan
what a wonderful link a fantastic railway why beyond my ability's, shame google interprets badly in this case but once again thank you
barryw

 

[railwayman198]

I think one of the Pecorama layouts is 'plank on stick' construction with privet planted either side, so that the end result is the railway running on top of a privet hedge. Sounds weird but looks o.k. in the photos I've seen.

 

[Trainman]

Barry,

Over 5 years ago now I rebuilt my railway on posts. I used a method of "track spline". It is a matter of gathering trellis timber and spacing it and glueing it into straight and pre curved sections. I chose a minimum radii (for me R3) and made a former and screwed and glued it. So far it has all held together splendidly- and others are now looking at the idea. All we do is plant the trees then trim them as they grow up around the track. Therefore you still have the greenery like in a normal railway.

 

[barryw]

I think one of the Pecorama layouts is 'plank on stick' construction with privet planted either side, so that the end result is the railway running on top of a privet hedge. Sounds weird but looks o.k. in the photos I've seen.

Thank you Railwayman i had hoped to get away from that look but i agree with you as to looks i might have to go with that
barryw

 

[Rhinochugger]

Here's one way

 

[dunnyrail]

I think one of the Pecorama layouts is 'plank on stick' construction with privet planted either side, so that the end result is the railway running on top of a privet hedge. Sounds weird but looks o.k. in the photos I've seen.

The Peco layout uses Lonicera to achieve the layout on Trees effect, we have done the same thing at the Ruschbahn but it has taken a while to get going due to being in front of a row of Leylandai. It is beginning to look good now though. However any tallish thin shrub that takes to being razored will fit the bill.
JonD

 

[hagen]

You could built it with real 1/1 bricks, I have seen those done many times in Garden rail

 

[pbmm]

hi barry as you can see the pbmm is off ground and as long as no track is not more than an arms lengh from the edge of your baseboard most things are possible. as for hideing it if its in the center of the garden dont bother just make a feature of it and dont forget the ground is not the only solution to grow shrubs and plants a lot of my greenery is growing in plant troughs inset into the base top and the only the grass is not what it should be like this

 

[pbmm]

o and if your wondering im almost finished a magor rebuild of the pbmm and the pic was taken back in april this year

 

[barryw]

Thank you all for taking the time to respond to my request it has certainly been helpful
pbmm that looks really neat and tidy i had thought of the trough idea for the plants and in anticipation i have purchased a good number of fur trees from focus closing down sale which at the last price were only a pound each down from two for six pounds i think i'm going to pick a part of the garden that is least used and have a small raised run once again thank you all
barryw

 

[Ferrysteam]

Hi Barry,
How about this,they're old plastic shelves we had when we gave our shop up.You can have them any height or size you like and they're cheap.We just put decking boards and roofing felt on top.You can use 1.3/4" plastic pipe if you want it higher.

 

[Ferrysteam]

It's pretty strong as well.

 

[metzbahner]

If I had a garden layout I would raise my track on PVC piping lengths. You can slice and dice these at will, they are meant to go into the ground so they won't deteriorate, and they are strong...and i would imagine, relatively cheap cost wise. you can either use them as posts or you can build little stacks like abutments out of them either way they would last.

 

[metzbahner]

I LOVE THIS PICS OF YOUR LAYOUTS GUYS...KEEP 'EM COMING!!!