Started Work On The Branchline Extension

[DCB]

Saturday was a bright spring morning up here in sunny Edinburgh, so, a clearing party was assembled and work started on the planned branchline extension to the bottom of the garden. I used to have a line running here a few years ago, but, it fell into a sad state of disrepair. As a result the track was lifted and stored away and the main loop nearer the house was kept operational. After finding more time for my garden railway last summer, I wanted to re-open the extension to the bottom of the garden. However, I didnn`t want to land up with the same issues that caused its demise previously.

After clearing the ground some old boards were used to align the track, making sure the necessary clearance was available coming off a tight R1 curve from the line leading behind the greenhouse. All okay so far. I checked levels and spacing from the back fence, this to allow room for a small station halt to be built at the bottom of the garden. In its previous incarnation, the line ran round the garden shed in a big reversing loop. It worked well, but took quite a bit of work to keep the track clear behind the shed. This time, I`m going to stop short of the shed with a small station, a reversing loop and a couple of headshunts. Should be enough to make life interesting at the end of the branchline.

First pic is of the corner, I`ll need to buid some form of a bridge here as this is a lift out section across a gate.

Second pic, is of the run along the back fence towards the new station.

A wee visit to B&Q needed to get some new gravel board to lay the track on and a bit more clearing needed before the base and line are layed properly. Looking good so far though, dso, it might be ready for Easter, but that depends on the weather 

 

[Beddhist]

I think you will need lights and bells in the corner, where the door is!

 

[DCB]

Spent Sunday afternoon pottering with SCARM and checking what track I've got lurking in the garage. Worked out what will be needed to make my wee station at the bottom of the garden. Took some extra measurements outside to finalise what new timber I need, so, things are definitely picking up speed.

Not had such an enthusiastic start to the season since I laid out my first garden railway ideas almost 12 years ago. Hopefully the Spring weather will establish itself and keep me in the mood for progress.

 

[DCB]

Took delivery of the two points I need to complete my track layout in the new station area. Next task is to pick up new gravel boards and get them painted. This could be a busy couple of weekends coming up

 

[Riograndad]

Hope weather holds out for you,tis summertime now

 

[DCB]

Last weekend was a washout. I didn't even get all my new timber properly painted before the heavens opened. It's only gotten worse since then. Snow on Sunday .....

Hopefully this weekend will be better

 

[DCB]

A busy day in the garden today. Started by clearing out some old plants before setting out my new boards properly. Managed to get the levels sorted without too much trouble. Laid out the track to make sure it all goes where it is supposed to go. One minor heart stopping moment when I wondered about clearance as the track comes off the curve, but all was okay, just, in the end. Still to lay track permanently and do the electrics for isolated sections, but that should get done this coming week. Station platform to be created and painted,so that to should get tackled this week. Good progress made so far. Gave the flower bed a good tidy afterwards and readied it for spring planting.

 

[DCB]

Well, having a week off that coincided with the warm spring weather meant that progress was swift over Easter week. The station platform was made and fitted, final trimming of trackwork was completed and isolation sections completed. By Thursday of the week I was ready to electrically test the newly installed trackwork. All went well and since it was a good day, trains were given a run over the new branchline. Very happy with what I've managed to get done to date, still some minor things to do before ballast goes down, but, I'm a lot further ahead than I thought I'd be at this time of year.

Just got to clean and check the rest of my railway before I can get trains running across the garden. All I need is one more dry, clear day to help get that work done

 

[DCB]

Cold wet weather over the past four weeks have kept work a bit behind. I have however managed to get my new station platform cut, painted and fitted into position. A platform shelter and some figures make it look as if it's been there for a good while. The rest of the railway had the track cleaned, but, after the recent weather I'll need to go over it again.

Just finished a new signal box for my main station area and a new station building awaits construction.

All I need now is some more good weather