Realignment - the big one!

[Westcott]

Last year when the main circuit was completed, the main line and the bank to the trainshed were built in front of the greenhouse.
The advantages of this were -
[*]Quick to build[*]Minimum use of track[*]Direct route to trainshed Disadvantages -
[*]SWMBO didn't really approve.[*]Difficult access to the greenhouse, especially for the big lawnmower.[*]SWMBO didn't really approve. However, earlier this year I had to clear the rubbish from behind the greenhouse, and clear underneath the trees behind it. I realised that there was just room to take the line behind the shed instead, and still have the wide curves that I like. Fnarf.
Advantages -
[*]SWMBO approved.[*]Direct access to the greenhouse again.[*]SWMBO approved. So here is the old layout, with the white pipe marking the new main line.
The traindshed bank will also move to the left -

The original trackwork, showing the start of the new alignment -

New route nearly finished -

Overview of the new alignment.
Turf taken from the new route was used to fill in the old trench -

And finally - the videos.
The last run up the old trainshed bank -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uz23xT-wDRo
First run up the new alignment -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bpi7gvcIrQo

 

[whatlep]

Looks really good Hamish!

What's the system of brackets etc. you've used for the trainshed incline?

 

[Westcott]

Hi Peter,

The vertical supports are 2' lengths of 16mm concrete reinforcing bar (rebar) hammered about a foot into the ground, with a 1' length of 22mm plastic water pipe slipped over the bar.
The horizontal brackets are lengths of 25mm aluminium angle clamped around each vertical bar with 2 x 30mm stainless steel nuts and bolts.
The clamping allows very fine and reusable height ajustment.
The track support is 2 lengths of 63mm square gutter downpipe glued together, maximum span about 800mm.

 

[mbiff]

nice curves

much neater too

 

[whatlep]

Hi Peter,

The vertical supports are 2' lengths of 16mm concrete reinforcing bar (rebar) hammered about a foot into the ground, with a 1' length of 22mm plastic water pipe slipped over the bar.
The horizontal brackets are lengths of 25mm aluminium angle clamped around each vertical bar with 2 x 30mm stainless steel nuts and bolts.
The clamping allows very fine and reusable height ajustment.
The track support is 2 lengths of 63mm square gutter downpipe glued together, maximum span about 800mm.

Very cunning! I considered using squared off guttering myself, but thought it might attract rodents! Would the 22mm water pipe be sufficient on its own?

 

[Westcott]

Would the 22mm water pipe be sufficient on its own?

I did try that, but -
It was difficult to hammer into the ground.
Is squashed when I clamped the ali angle to it, and
The foot high section was too wobbly.
Apart from that it was fine.

 

[whatlep]

Would the 22mm water pipe be sufficient on its own?

I did try that, but -
It was difficult to hammer into the ground.
Is squashed when I clamped the ali angle to it, and
The foot high section was too wobbly.
Apart from that it was fine.

So that would be a "maybe" then?

 

[spike]

Well worth doing

 

[Steve]

Nice videos and a brilliant line

 

[MR SPOCK]

Looks like you been busy H, thats given me a good idea of how to reconnect the branch line and even extend all around, excellent job going around the backof the garden buildings, ​

 

[Westcott]

You might not have noticed, but when I took the new video, it was only the bank up to the trainshed that was complete.
The main line over the very uneven paving slabs behind the greenhouse was incomplete.
This was levelled with a layer of coarse mortar.
The video of a run up behind the shed -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzwbeucX99I

 

[owlpool]

great video and line
the track boards/supports you use allow for very smooth running, and pretty stable by the look of them

 

[Westcott]

Hi OwlPaul,
Thanks!
Generally the track rests/floats on a plastic strip ladder roadbed, clamped to reinforcing bar (rebar) every 2 feet.
The rebar is driven about a foot into the hard clay, and is very firm.
I'd love to have a run on your layout some day.
Hamish.

 

[Gizzy]

Great video and interesting construction....