Simple construction of large or small trackside structures

[GNB]

I recently constructed some simple lineside structures/buildings using an inexpensive (£2.50) plastic weather proof endtile available from B&Q.

Here`s some images of the structures.

This small maintainance depot is the simplest and was constructed using one endtile attached to a small piece of decking plank with a support hidden at the back. The short mounting piece has two holes drilled into it to match the `pegs` seen at the intersections of the ribs. It held in place with rapid setting Evostick wood glue applied to the pegs and the section of the ribs in contact with the wood.

The structure of the underside of the tile together with the construction detail of the timber support attached to the underside of the tile is shown in this image. You can see on the tile undersurface, at the base of the image, the four large rectangular clips. These allow you to link the tiles together to form large relatively stiff structures.

An example of a larger structure is shown here as what could be described as a large station canopy. The rigidity of the tiles allows three pairs of tiles, each pair attached together by their clips, with each pair bolted together on their opposite axis. For this group of six tiles there is only one central support that is simply attached to the tiles using the stiff cross ribs on the underside of the tiles.

Detail of the construction of central support is shown in this image. It`s constructed from timber decking off-cuts, screwed together with attachment slots cut into the top to locate onto the ribs on the undersurface of the tiles.

The weight of the base is sufficient to locate the structure without problems. The clearance height was 10`.

Its not difficult to see other possibilties for this inexpensive material.

Have fun .

PS - The tiles were labelled composite paving tile edge, size 40x20x4.5 cm. Their B&Q stock number is 5052931491230. The underside of the six linked tiles is shown on the attachment.

 

[trammayo]

I tried to find them on B&Qs web pages before - either by their (inappropriate) description or by stock number.

Unfortunately, I have little tolerance for websites selling or describing products that have no input from someone with knowledge of the products!

Needless to say, I didn't manage to find them! It's a pity really but I didn't want to wade through 84 pages for something that could be quite useful!

 

[korm kormsen]

the headline mentioned "simple" - rightfully so.

 

[dunnyrail]

Rather natty idea. Roughly what part of BQ they likely to be found please?
JonD

 

[Madman]

Now, what are these tiles ? What are they used for in real life ?

 

[GNB]

Sorry trammayo I'm not responsible for B&Q's stock control , I too failed to find them on their webpages otherwise I would have furnished you with the link (promise!).

As to the question of their true purpose by Madman, they appear to be an edge section (hence the slope) for a larger, linking, rectangular fibrous plastic patio tile, of which I have no experience.

Thanks Dunnyrail, in our local B&Q they are to be found adjacent to the other rather more traditional stone and wood based garden building products in the outdoor section of the B&Q warehouse. They were still in our local B&Q superstore when I looked last Wednesday.

Apologies to korm kormsen, I did emphasise that they were simple structures. Maybe I should have more accurately described the as minimalist . Nonetheless they suited my purpose and I was quiet pleased that the canopy structure worked so well and you can't beat the simple £15 plus offcuts for the total cost.

You can build them into more complex structures if you so desire. Here's another way I used one, as the entrance/exit into a green house for a rack railway.

 

[Robert Howard]

Thanks

Always looking for ideas using cheap off the shelf components

 

[trammayo]

I was blaming B&Q At least I know now it wasn't just my lack of patience (or me losing it all together!). As my visit to Galway was cancelled (postponed to Dec 31st - vist GP instead), I never got to B&Q

 

[dunnyrail]

Thanks Dunnyrail, in our local B&Q they are to be found adjacent to the other rather more traditional stone and wood based garden building products in the outdoor section of the B&Q warehouse. They were still in our local B&Q superstore when I looked last Wednesday.
[/quotew]
Brill GNB, now know ehere to look if I decide to indulge in some. Do not beat yourself about the head too much on your minimalism. I think that they are a good example of thinking out of the box when you see something. They certainly pass the 1 Yard Viewing point in my view. For me I may use them in a 2 or 3 Yard viewing environment where I have plans for some Factory Units at the back of my Magdesprung Station.

Many thanks for your posts.
JonD

 

[Madman]

"As to the question of their true purpose by Madman, they appear to be an edge section (hence the slope) for a larger, linking, rectangular fibrous plastic patio tile, of which I have no experience".


That's interesting. A plastic patio : When I was about 10 years old, my parents had the walls of our kitchen tiled with yellow (popular color then) plastic tiles. I can still remember the guys installing it in our row home in Philadelphia. As the years went by, the mastic started to become brittle and once in awhile a tile would come loose :'(

 

[GNB]

A few reminders of what this thread was trying to show before the images went AWOL. At least the summer will return and the garden will come back in to the railway!

The first two images couple of views of the centrally supported structure.

The last image shows an even more minimalist structure that can be used as a maintenance depot/simple halt.


Enjoy!!

 

[stockers]

Nice pictures.

I had a nose around to try to see why your pictures in the middle of this thread don't show but earlier ones do. They are/were all on GSC (rather than a hosting service). Sorry - cant see why they have gone - but they do appear top have done so..

 

[dunnyrail]

Re the missing pictures,mit is rather strange where they have gone. Some of my early ones on my Layout Thread have gone too, most are prsent. Think it could be in my case where they have been edited by another member or Mod due to wrong orientation. From what I can see, the current App that runs the Forum appears to correct pics.
JonD