Running on Grass Year Two

[Lordraglan274]

After many years in my concrete back yard, terraced house style, the railway was upgraded to my mums garden in 2010. This is a major improvement, but local planning regulations currently rule out a permanant formation. However after a decent effort with the mower, the track is laid and we all have an enjoyable weekends running.
First job is to get the track clean, so out comes the works team.

Additional help is on-hand if needed in the siding

The single track main line is used in both directions of course.
Here the Chigago and North Western passenger climbs upgrade, the heavy cars needed extra power so a UP dash9 assisted.

A light freight was coasting down the hill with one of the Challengers in charge

Union Pacific passenger trains were out with both Dash9 and F units

One advantage of a total lack of line side structures is that the theme can change after lunch.
So here we have live steam in the Isle Of Man, with Caledonia blasting up the incline.

Just a few photos from the weekend, and the track will stay in situ for another few days then be taken up until the next time.
With care the track is fine and stands the constant up/down without problem, it takes about two hours to set up and take down but the plus side is the track doesnt get too dirty (no comment about the steamers contribution to track cleanliness, although the chuffers are a godsend!)

 

[stevedenver]

looks like great, spontaneous fun
there is something i think that i love about the ceremony and freedom to chose the layout points etc for THAT particular set up

i too set up each season and then tear down and start over again-i have had a variety and i simply love it-its truly back to childhood for me-love the simple logistic of setting out and lighting buildings, stops etc-sometimes rack sometimes point to point trolleys or logging-just whatever im up to -

nice stock you have too -well done -i like your approach

 

[Martino]

Reminds me of getting my father's late 20s/ early 30s O gauge stuff out as kid and setting out on the lawn at home.

Happy days and why ever did I sell it all when I was in my teens?

There's something special about a large gauge set up on the grass......

Well done that man.

 

[jameshilton]

Looks like fun - I know the feeling of setting up a different line each time, I've got a 'carpet' setup in case it's raining when we want to run the EJ&KLR.

For the ultimate 'temporary' setup check out www.thefunnyman.nl
This chap and his father lay a new layout every time, but with full scenic detail. They then photograph and film it extensively. Last summers two videos are exquisite. I emailed him earlier in the year and he did hope to do some more this summer.

 

[Don Gilham]

Lovely stuff Syd - such a shame it can't be permanentised (or whatever the word is ! )

 

[3Valve]

Nice one. Ran on grass myself earlier in the year. Most fun I'd had in ages.

 

[CoggesRailway]

That's quite a collection of motive power! Nice...

 

[whatlep]

Getting back to basics and having FUN. Top man!

 

[Lordraglan274]

It looks like late 2011 will actually be the last of the grass based operations as permission has now been given to laying a permanant formation. The garden drops down on quite an incline as can be seen in some of the earlier photos, plus a few dips, so it is intended to construct a sweeping embankment to remedy this. The main loop will be double track as well, and of course I will take plenty of photos of the construction.
The last train to run on the grass formation was the Doodlebug set and fortunately I took a photo of the run, so it has unintentionally gone into the history books.

 

[trammayo]

Well thats brilliant news (not that we didn't enjoy your lawn based operations) - loads of contruction pics I hope!

 

[Hofabooz]

Hi

Great to hear you are making a new laylout cannot wait to see it take shape.
Please post as many pics ans you can.

Regards

Mark

 

[Lordraglan274]

Yes I will certainly start a thread on the construction when it starts in earnest, planned for late May/early June. In the meantime some clearing is being undertaken, the two greenhouses are starting to be demolished this afternoon as they stand in the way of the planned formation. They are being re-located to a friends garden, free of charge as long as he supplys plenty of labour! They have concrete bases that will need to be broken up though, so it isnt going to be a quick job.
Here is the last shot of the greenhouses in one piece.

 

[beavercreek]

More power to your elbow Syd, those concrete bases will take some shifting!

 

[jameshilton]

What good news! I look forward to watching it develop