CoggesRailway
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Re:The EJ&KLR project
All looking really good!
All looking really good!
The EJ&KLR: Austrian narrow gauge in Cheshire
- Thread starter jameshilton
- Start date
jameshilton
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Re:The EJ&KLR project
I've been away for a week on holiday - I took my notebook with me and did some doodling (as seen on my Franco Belge thread in the 'Locomotives' section). However when I got home I found my second hand but un-used track (6 short straights) and bargain mint boxed open wagon had arrived. £50 for the lot
The holiday was to co-incide with my brothers wedding so although it was lovely (including a ride on the NYMR) it was quite emotional and I found myself missing Dad more than I had done for a few months. Therefore when we got back I was determined to make some progress on the railway. I found some horticultural grit (3 bags for tenner) in the local garden centre and headed over to Chester.
Those worried about the stability of the sharp sand road bed needn't have worried. It's not shifted at all despite a week unprotected with heavy rain and strong winds! Anyhow - I intended to just get the embankment done to protect it from any further weathering as although it hadn't shifted I thought better safe than sorry... however Mum joined in and before long we'd done over half the line! I hurried inside and cut down one of the 10000 straights to finish the loop and in two and a bit hours the ballasting was complete. It's hard to tell final colour as it's damp but I suspect it's a mid-buff colour. Spurred on despite the weather we planted the various items we'd both sourced from garden centres and supermarkets over the past month - and it's starting to come to life... although there is a long way to go with the planting!
I'm still to start on the station building but hoping I can convince my brother to source and sort some tanalised decking timber for the platform area - to be covered with tar paper / roofing felt.
So today was good - therapy - I feel much happier again. I think Dad would be both proud and excited about progress... and like me itching to give his Shay a run around the newly ballasted track... that will have to wait though as I want to let things bed down a bit before topping up, cleaning up and giving it all another test run!
I've been away for a week on holiday - I took my notebook with me and did some doodling (as seen on my Franco Belge thread in the 'Locomotives' section). However when I got home I found my second hand but un-used track (6 short straights) and bargain mint boxed open wagon had arrived. £50 for the lot
The holiday was to co-incide with my brothers wedding so although it was lovely (including a ride on the NYMR) it was quite emotional and I found myself missing Dad more than I had done for a few months. Therefore when we got back I was determined to make some progress on the railway. I found some horticultural grit (3 bags for tenner) in the local garden centre and headed over to Chester.
Those worried about the stability of the sharp sand road bed needn't have worried. It's not shifted at all despite a week unprotected with heavy rain and strong winds! Anyhow - I intended to just get the embankment done to protect it from any further weathering as although it hadn't shifted I thought better safe than sorry... however Mum joined in and before long we'd done over half the line! I hurried inside and cut down one of the 10000 straights to finish the loop and in two and a bit hours the ballasting was complete. It's hard to tell final colour as it's damp but I suspect it's a mid-buff colour. Spurred on despite the weather we planted the various items we'd both sourced from garden centres and supermarkets over the past month - and it's starting to come to life... although there is a long way to go with the planting!
I'm still to start on the station building but hoping I can convince my brother to source and sort some tanalised decking timber for the platform area - to be covered with tar paper / roofing felt.
So today was good - therapy - I feel much happier again. I think Dad would be both proud and excited about progress... and like me itching to give his Shay a run around the newly ballasted track... that will have to wait though as I want to let things bed down a bit before topping up, cleaning up and giving it all another test run!
jameshilton
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Re:The EJ&KLR project
Well Mike it's all underneath a layer of ballast now - so as much chance of getting sand into a locomotive from just general wind blown debris We'll see how it all fairs - I've taken inspiration for construction from a Garden Railways book - along with JRinTawa's construction methods - adapted for materials I could source locally. I've enough ballast to keep topping up and tamping for years to come
One thing that strikes me is how much more planting is needed to give some texture and variety in height to the 'middle' of the layout.
Well Mike it's all underneath a layer of ballast now - so as much chance of getting sand into a locomotive from just general wind blown debris
We'll see how it all fairs - I've taken inspiration for construction from a Garden Railways book - along with JRinTawa's construction methods - adapted for materials I could source locally. I've enough ballast to keep topping up and tamping for years to come One thing that strikes me is how much more planting is needed to give some texture and variety in height to the 'middle' of the layout.
Re:The EJ&KLR project
James, what about building a rockery around your tree stump and incorporating a short tunnel at that side to break things up a bit. The rockery will add height, the tree stump will be hidden and the tunnel will provide a scenic break for train viewing.
James, what about building a rockery around your tree stump and incorporating a short tunnel at that side to break things up a bit. The rockery will add height, the tree stump will be hidden and the tunnel will provide a scenic break for train viewing.
jameshilton
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Re:The EJ&KLR project
Thanks guys - a tunnel sounds interesting, perhaps a future development. Phil - I've a full bag and 3/4 left over so I hope it's more than a year but we'll see how it settles and disperses
Thanks guys - a tunnel sounds interesting, perhaps a future development. Phil - I've a full bag and 3/4 left over so I hope it's more than a year but we'll see how it settles and disperses
jameshilton
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Re:The EJ&KLR project
They're just push fit with graphite paste Jon - I figured the loop was small anyway and this first layout is more an experiment. People seemed split 50/50 on the merits of them on a small layout, however it won't be hard to fit the over the fishplate ones in future if required.
They're just push fit with graphite paste Jon - I figured the loop was small anyway and this first layout is more an experiment. People seemed split 50/50 on the merits of them on a small layout, however it won't be hard to fit the over the fishplate ones in future if required.
Re:The EJ&KLR project
James -
That's going really well, congratulations. I particularly like the bridge over the little valley. Is that due for a future water feature, I wonder? I also agree with the suggestions for a higher area perhaps incorporating a cutting or tunnel to add a bit of drama (but iof course t's your line....rule 8 etc. etc!). Meanwhile also like the free-flowing curves you've laid in - gives the line a nice narrrow gauge look.
Looking forward to seeing developments during the rest of the year.
James -
That's going really well, congratulations. I particularly like the bridge over the little valley. Is that due for a future water feature, I wonder? I also agree with the suggestions for a higher area perhaps incorporating a cutting or tunnel to add a bit of drama (but iof course t's your line....rule 8 etc. etc!). Meanwhile also like the free-flowing curves you've laid in - gives the line a nice narrrow gauge look.
Looking forward to seeing developments during the rest of the year.
jameshilton
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Re:The EJ&KLR project
Dropped into the EJ&KLR today to drop off the new flat cars, the refurbed OBB bogie coaches and some second hand track for the indoor line.
I was hoping we'd have some dry weather so that I could run trains, alas it rained ALL day. I did manage to plant the last of the conifers (I bought 8 more a few weeks ago) and I also spent 30 minutes topping up and repairing ballast where things had settled. On the whole though, despite some torrential downpours in the last few weeks it all looked in excellent condition with no evidence of subsidence.
Already I'm looking forward to the greenery maturing, I can see some potential with awesome camera angles.
Anyway with the rain set in for the day Elly and I put together the indoor line and ran that all afternoon...
Nice to get an LGB running fix - it's been weeks since I ran anything!
Dropped into the EJ&KLR today to drop off the new flat cars, the refurbed OBB bogie coaches and some second hand track for the indoor line.
I was hoping we'd have some dry weather so that I could run trains, alas it rained ALL day. I did manage to plant the last of the conifers (I bought 8 more a few weeks ago) and I also spent 30 minutes topping up and repairing ballast where things had settled. On the whole though, despite some torrential downpours in the last few weeks it all looked in excellent condition with no evidence of subsidence.
Already I'm looking forward to the greenery maturing, I can see some potential with awesome camera angles.
Anyway with the rain set in for the day Elly and I put together the indoor line and ran that all afternoon...
Nice to get an LGB running fix - it's been weeks since I ran anything!
jameshilton
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Re:The EJ&KLR project
Photos from today's running session on my blog...
http://ejklr.blogspot.com On my ...'ll put the best ones on here tomorrow night.
Photos from today's running session on my blog...
http://ejklr.blogspot.com On my ...'ll put the best ones on here tomorrow night.
CoggesRailway
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Re:The EJ&KLR project
That's a stunning picture well done!!
That's a stunning picture well done!!
jameshilton
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Re:The EJ&KLR project
From Austria...
to the USA...
Lots of fun for a few hours but since 4 it's been showering/raining on and off
Hoping it dries up now the sky is brighter so I can run a few trains before dusk.
From Austria...
to the USA...
Lots of fun for a few hours but since 4 it's been showering/raining on and off
Hoping it dries up now the sky is brighter so I can run a few trains before dusk.
playmofire
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Re:The EJ&KLR project
A cracking layout and photos. Thanks for sharing them.
A cracking layout and photos. Thanks for sharing them.