Re-birth of the Osmanthus Forest Railway

[forester]

My wife decided she wanted a walk-in wardrobe, so we bought the flat next door which also has a garden. First a few pix of the old layout and the 'Beeching' era, before demolishing the separating wall.

(First posts on this forum in a long time, please bear with me if pictures don't attach etc)

Geoff

 

[forester]

Seems to work so I'll continue......

Works to the apartments and the garden were extensive, we lived in one flat whilst the other was hacked about, then repeated the process.

 

[beavercreek]

Bought the flat next door....for a wardrobe!....now there is a solution......I think I'll pop around to the neighbours and have a word................

 

[forester]

The first builder we engaged started everything but finished nothing. Things slowed to a halt, it became apparent that he had financial problems. Not good news! However the replacement got stuck in and work progressed.

Unlike the first time, an element of planning went into the garden to accommodate the layout which is a loop + a few sidings. Total length of run would be increased to around 70m. Detailed planning for the layout commenced.

 

[Don Gilham]

Very nice Geoff - any track plan ?

 

[forester]

I worked out that everything on the ain loop could be R3 minimum, except for a few turnouts to the first layout which remain R1. The layout is essentially all LGB. Track was ordered and Garden Railway Centres shipped the goods.

We ordered a shed to store all the kit. The shape is not ideal but it is commodious and does the job, (not least because I don't possess a great deal of stock!). These two photos show the extremity of the new loop + siding.

The remainder show the track in position before laying trackbed.

 

[jameshilton]

Geoff - that opening line is an absolute classic.

One thing I love about this forum is the real global nature yet small community feel. Lovely to see photos of a line that could be in any one of our gardens, yet so far away from where I live in the UK

 

[forester]

I have a very simple trackbed, vegetation is removed, soil is levelled and compacted by hand and foot respectively, a thin layer of stone is layed and the track sits on top. I did try using a layer of polythene in the past to prevent weed growth, but it was not effective in HK's climate.

Last few pics for now show the railway + garden getting established. I'll post more showing more trains when I've taken more photos!First is the longest 'straight' - we wanted to keep the garden as spacious as possible so the railway follows the outer edge. Gentle curves would be nice but difficult to fit.

 

[forester]

Whoops, last pic shows the longest straight, and I've repeated another. Apologies.

 

[beavercreek]

Great pics Geoff. Your garden has a wonderful outlook and the layout fits right in.
As to the wardrobe.....................

 

[forester]

Great pics Geoff. Your garden has a wonderful outlook and the layout fits right in.
As to the wardrobe.....................

There were, of course, a few other reasons apart from the wardrobe. But I did suggest to my wife that buying fewer clothes might be an alternative solution..........

 

[mbiff]

very nice

 

[CoggesRailway]

Great thread - like the garden and the railway! keep them coming

 

[Shawn]

Wow thats looking great. I bet its nice having that extra space to run trains. The scenary in the background is beautiful. I would be very relaxed sitting in a chair watching your trains and the mountains in the background.

 

[Richie]

Fantastic work very nice looking line

 

[Steve]

Nice to see you coming out of the closet

 

[Brixham]

I like the way the patio curves with the track...that really is an idea I will use.....one day
Also triangular junctions, again. something I've never tried.

Malcolm