James Day
Guano Corner Rly - Runs weekly - Guano permitting
Dear All,
Last Sunday we ran the last trains on the Mk2 Version of the GCR. The next day the line was lifted ready for some civil engineering that starts in March (We are having a proper land drain system installed under the muddy patch that should be a lawn).
Over the next few days all the parts lifted were carefully washed, serviced and then packed away ready for Guano Corner Railway Mk3!
Please take a look at these videos taken by my chum....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9th6t357Qw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Y9oDOFJp7Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVmqbZYIvnY
The line had been laid back in June and was effectively a loose-lay conventionally controlled system with standard LGB EPL block signalling and automation. Although a couple of minor alternations to the track layout were made over the next 7 1/2 months it fared pretty well in all weathers.
Trains had been run around once a week since June, sometimes more, even in rain and snow! The only exception was November when the whole line disapeared under the leaves, which made running impossible. It then needed a concerted effort to clear the rails and get the line workable again.
The track joints were tightened prior to laying and treated with Halfords copper grease and this kept the weather out pretty well. This was my first 'permanent' outdoor layout. Previous layouts had either been either temporary outdoor set ups that lasted up to a fortnight, or indoor affairs, both long lived and short lived ones at shows.
Track cleaning was usually done by sending a Playmobil 0-4-0 out with an LGB coach fitted with a track cleaning attachment. I have found that the waterproof emery sold by Squires is more effective that ordinary emery cloth, which does not like damp rails. After this any stubborn patches were hand cleaned with a grinding block.
A couple of the older LGB R3 points have had bridge wires added to the link point blades to the wing rails, to ensure that they make good contact. The catenary on the branch was not live, but it could be made so, however this would complcate the simplicity of the shuttle module!
The signals are an adaptation of the modern Playmobil Battery powered signal, mounted on an old style EPL Drive supplementary switch. The switch changes the aspect of the signal and switches the power to the track at the same time. The diode lights inside them are fed from 18V AC and this makes them look like they are flashing when filmed. Apologies for that!
Once the earthworks are complete, Guano Corner Mk3 will be started, which will be pretty much the same concept, but with alterations to the layout of the main station and interact the branch with the mainline at two places instead of just the one.
There are more films of the layout on You Tube -Search for 'Guano LGB' and you can find them all.
Best wishes,
James
Last Sunday we ran the last trains on the Mk2 Version of the GCR. The next day the line was lifted ready for some civil engineering that starts in March (We are having a proper land drain system installed under the muddy patch that should be a lawn).
Over the next few days all the parts lifted were carefully washed, serviced and then packed away ready for Guano Corner Railway Mk3!
Please take a look at these videos taken by my chum....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9th6t357Qw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Y9oDOFJp7Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVmqbZYIvnY
The line had been laid back in June and was effectively a loose-lay conventionally controlled system with standard LGB EPL block signalling and automation. Although a couple of minor alternations to the track layout were made over the next 7 1/2 months it fared pretty well in all weathers.
Trains had been run around once a week since June, sometimes more, even in rain and snow! The only exception was November when the whole line disapeared under the leaves, which made running impossible. It then needed a concerted effort to clear the rails and get the line workable again.
The track joints were tightened prior to laying and treated with Halfords copper grease and this kept the weather out pretty well. This was my first 'permanent' outdoor layout. Previous layouts had either been either temporary outdoor set ups that lasted up to a fortnight, or indoor affairs, both long lived and short lived ones at shows.
Track cleaning was usually done by sending a Playmobil 0-4-0 out with an LGB coach fitted with a track cleaning attachment. I have found that the waterproof emery sold by Squires is more effective that ordinary emery cloth, which does not like damp rails. After this any stubborn patches were hand cleaned with a grinding block.
A couple of the older LGB R3 points have had bridge wires added to the link point blades to the wing rails, to ensure that they make good contact. The catenary on the branch was not live, but it could be made so, however this would complcate the simplicity of the shuttle module!
The signals are an adaptation of the modern Playmobil Battery powered signal, mounted on an old style EPL Drive supplementary switch. The switch changes the aspect of the signal and switches the power to the track at the same time. The diode lights inside them are fed from 18V AC and this makes them look like they are flashing when filmed. Apologies for that!
Once the earthworks are complete, Guano Corner Mk3 will be started, which will be pretty much the same concept, but with alterations to the layout of the main station and interact the branch with the mainline at two places instead of just the one.
There are more films of the layout on You Tube -Search for 'Guano LGB' and you can find them all.
Best wishes,
James
