Rebuilding my Railway

I would go for R3's but I don't have the space the railway runs right alongside a path and if I used R3's it'd be on the path!, I don't plan on buying any big locos the biggest I own will be a Sumpter Valley Mallet (In a few days) but that happily handles R1's I've seen. My LGB locos happily handle R1's. I might make a mock up inside but I don't see the need as they all have run fine on R1's. This part of the layout and shed, is going to have a European style for LGB locos so R3's aren't really needed for the sidings. I do plan to hopefully extended the railway with a US section with R3's.

And before anyone asks why did I buy a rather expensive Mallet when I still have a railway to finish.. I got it at a good price!
 
AddictiveBiscuit said:
Would breeze blocks be a suitable base? or are they to big?
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Stockers has used Celcon blocks - same size.

And anyway, why shouldn't you buy the loco first? - I had two locos, two coaches and three wagons before I bought any track :D:D:D:D

Mind you, that seems like a longish time ago now :think::think:
 
Rhinochugger said:
Stockers has used Celcon blocks - same size.

And anyway, why shouldn't you buy the loco first? - I had two locos, two coaches and three wagons before I bought any track :D:D:D:D

Mind you, that seems like a longish time ago now :think::think:
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I have quite a lot of stock now considering I started last year.. Being planning to rebuild it for a while anyway. I've been told it'd be better to start in late March in case of frost damage if we end up using concrete.. Although currently I'm more for the idea of laying blocks in soil as a base, its something I can do on my own with a bit of assistance and can start early on. Might see about taking up all the track tomorrow weather providing!
 
AddictiveBiscuit said:
Would breeze blocks be a suitable base? or are they to big?
Click to expand...

Would recommend that you don't use breeze blocks. I used a few and had to replace them due to frost damage as shown below:

RepairWorksPhase2-08.jpg

The frost impregnated the breeze blocks and the surface started crumbling. Getting rid of them was a real pain and took a lot longer than I expected:

RepairWorksPhase2-08.jpg RepairWorksPhase2-10.jpg

...and the replacement celcon blocks look a lot better!!

RepairWorksPhase2-17.jpg
 
KentKeith said:
Would recommend that you don't use breeze blocks. I used a few and had to replace them due to frost damage as shown below:

View attachment 219314

The frost impregnated the breeze blocks and the surface started crumbling. Getting rid of them was a real pain and took a lot longer than I expected:

View attachment 219314 View attachment 219315

...and the replacement celcon blocks look a lot better!!

View attachment 219317
Click to expand...

I'll have to see what we have.. I'd rather not have to go out and buy blocks. How long did they last for you Keith?
 
The first thing I purchased in G was the LGB Mallet - I had to blag a bit of track from the seller to even put it on.
 
stockers said:
The first thing I purchased in G was the LGB Mallet - I had to blag a bit of track from the seller to even put it on.
Click to expand...

Great thing about a Mallet is that even though they are massive and powerful they go round the tightest curves! I'm trying to get my railway up and running again ASAP so I can run mine and see how it performs instead of laying track around the dining room table :D
 
KentKeith said:
Would recommend that you don't use breeze blocks. I used a few and had to replace them due to frost damage as shown below:

View attachment 219314

The frost impregnated the breeze blocks and the surface started crumbling. Getting rid of them was a real pain and took a lot longer than I expected:

View attachment 219314 View attachment 219315

...and the replacement celcon blocks look a lot better!!

View attachment 219317
Click to expand...
In the circumstances that Keith shows I think that he probably used the blocks sideways. In the past I have used Breeze blocks so that the thin edges have formed an area for a Track base which was filled with cement. I never had any problems with this as the top of the breeze was overcovered with a thin layer of cement and the sides had Concrete Mountains on them. I have used this method on my current line with complete success. Though the tops have had Paving Slabs Cemented on them but the sides were left open for a Year or three with no damage before I cosmetically treated them to a cement scenic cover.
JonD
 
dunnyrail said:
In the circumstances that Keith shows I think that he probably used the blocks sideways. In the past I have used Breeze blocks so that the thin edges have formed an area for a Track base which was filled with cement. I never had any problems with this as the top of the breeze was overcovered with a thin layer of cement and the sides had Concrete Mountains on them. I have used this method on my current line with complete success. Though the tops have had Paving Slabs Cemented on them but the sides were left open for a Year or three with no damage before I cosmetically treated them to a cement scenic cover.
JonD
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Also, there are various types and densities of block. 7n concrete blocks should survive the frost action. Older 'ash' breeze will not. Oddly, the porous Celcon lightweight block seems pretty resilient too.
 
Well that's all the track taken up..
IMG_2362_zps68jmdowe.jpg

IMG_2363_zpsvlczmsdv.jpg
 
Tighten the fishplates slightly ready for relaying, and a bit of copper grease in there wont hurt either
 
Dunk the ends in cheapo supermarket cola.The phosphoric acid will clean them nicely.
 
stockers said:
Dunk the ends in cheapo supermarket cola.The phosphoric acid will clean them nicely.
Click to expand...

I just happen to have some! Bought some from coop thinking it'll taste just the same nope! I was wrong.. How long do you need to leave it in it?
 
stockers said:
Also, there are various types and densities of block. 7n concrete blocks should survive the frost action. Older 'ash' breeze will not. Oddly, the porous Celcon lightweight block seems pretty resilient too.
Click to expand...
Alan I have used all 3 at varying times, Breeze was my latest lot but in the last 4 years on my new line I have been using Concrete ones earlier as they were cheeper but got fed up of the weight of em so breeze have been to the fore on my most recent projects.
JinD
 
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