Garden and railway complete re-hash

Hi Guys ,well was able to test waterfall 1 this morning. Running perfectly as planned. There will be a second one to the right and lower down . So pleased that my pre-estimation of the route of the flow was right for its a bandit if it turns out not as hoped for. Anyway,well pleased. Should be finished the whole pond project by tomorrow !! 

Hi Again guys well,wired up the pump proper,both header pools now working . So pleased that both are performing as planned. Just some finishing and dressing  off and planting to be done... another step closer to getting trains running !! (do you get the impression I;m pleased ??  ha ha

Your last two video posts, getting sound but no picture ?

Arthur posted:

Your last two video posts, getting sound but no picture ?

We can hear them pumping. Convert to mp4 format or attach the raw file.

Great looking waterfalls in the video.

Like Arthur and Moonman , I have audio , but no video .  Obviously Seacoast does have video. Don't know what is going on ,but really hope to see what you have completed . Everything to date is first class workmanship . Jim

Hi Guys, sorry ,don't know what the problem is ?? ,and am no expert on computers, I'll see what I can do. Have a pal who might be able to help. Heres some pics in the meantime. 

Hi Guys,in lieue of the videos hope these close up pics help.... still a bit of dressing and planting to do but the weather's roasting here today.... bushed already and I feel like I;ve got nothing much done today !....  

Davy , Thanks for the E-mail . I was able to view the pond in operation . What a great job you have done . This has been highly interesting from the beginning . For one man , you sure have completed a lot . Looking forward to seeing the trains run . Jim

yes, Thank you Davy.

Here is the video recoded:

Hi Guys, thanks for fixing the video Carl 

It looks great, Davy. It has been a long effort, but the results are more than worth it.

Thanks Matt,long haul right enough and still to get to the trains !..... well my five grankids (grandweans in Scots-speak), came in from school yesterday and christened the pond.... ....

It    has been a great effort and I have and still do enjoy watching the progress.

Larry

Hi Larry, glad you're enjoying the trip .... a lot's been done but still a lot to do and the train works  ain't even started  ,this is the last good day for a while according to the weather forecast so trying to get as much done as possible before the rain strikes tomorrow...still,can't complain.... weather's been excellent for a few weeks.  just stopped for a breather.... better get back out there and get on with it  

Hi Guys well here's todays progress, fence painted ,clothes poles painted, and the back patio is now about 3/4 finished, ........and so am I .Absolutely bushed tonight ,good shift though Lower section of the garden almost complete.   Supper and bed ...here I come !! 

Super job! Your fence is just about identical in color to mine. The syone patio looks great, and the pond is great.

Don

Cheers for the compliments Don,.... have you made any plans/moves on your own garden yet ?.  I'm just burstin to get laying track and playin trains    .    Davy 

Hi Guys,well managed to get the back R/H patio finished. Ready to start to the final raised back area,....hallelujah !!  

Hi Guys, been busy with other must-do's however managed to get a bit of the new back fence erected and have lifted most of the O gauge track and laid some G scale in its place. The G circuit will be single track with passing sidings. The O scale layout will be on the back raised strip which I;ve made a start to clearing..... not that you'd know it !! ha ha  

Hi Guys,well despite a very damp day I pushed on and pretty much completed the new back fence.The post man also turned up with my new PIKO G gauge (estimated about 1/26th scale...its BIG) German BR24 2-6-0 I just bought. Beautifull beast. Luv it. Just a wee bit fencing to be done next to my neighbours place on the left hand side.Then I can get on with the back strip where the O gauge layout will now be.

Hi Guys, late shot tonight,back fence finally finished and have a good start made to re-laying the G gauge track,all the O gauge now lifted., re-gauged the turntable to G scale tonight too.I need to lay the G scale line first to see how I go for clearances/heights etc., to pitch the new O scale layout . The O gauge will bridge the G scale at two points. 

Hi Guys ,thought you might like to see the home made turntable in action . 

Hi Guys, been laying G track today, have reached the back area where it will pass under the yet to be laid O gauge tracks.  Still to be levelled and ballasted.  

Looking Amazing! I really enjoy following your posts!

Hi Corey, thanks, ...glad you're enjoyin the ride !!.  

Hi Guys, well onto the final section now.Decided to split the back section where the O gauge layout will be off from the rest of the garden with a double sided fence topped off with flower troughs. The O gauge layout will be layed about just under waist height on external plywood boards covered in torch-on mineral felt. I'll attach the boards to the fences to complete the circuit. Certainly won't be so scenic as originally planned but will take shape a whole lot quicker. I might go for three or four track  running. Anyway,we'll see. Heres the latest progress... intermediate fence under construction... 

Hi Guys, weather ain't been the best the last wee while and also been busy makin a living,however things still progressing. Built a raised rose-bed for my wife as she's been nagging me for ver near 40 years to have roses in the garden,so I gave finally in  Have also pushed on with the new fence a bit and have done a wee bit more stonework at the pond. 

Hi Guys, just pushin on as and when possible, finally tackled a fernickety wee job I've been avoidin...ie, making the G scale lifting section at the entrance to the garden.However all levelled and support abutments cemented in place now. Other progress as per pictures..

Hi Guys, new fence faced ,not so much to do now on the lower area. Next thing is the new O gauge layout in that back section,however need to get the thinkin cap on and make up my mind on a plan,have a few bouncin around ma brain ..... 

Getting real interesting what your going to come up next with!.

Very nice work indeed.

Larry

Thanks Larry, I got about halfway along the inside of the new dividing fence boarded this mornin but heavy rain stopped play. Once I get that done I'll clear my feet in that back section and see what my options are. Have a few ideas  rattlin round my head. However I need to check measurements, maximum curvatures possible etc.,  anyway we'll see. Still have some finishing work to do to the front lower area. So still a fair old bit of work to be done yet.   

Hi Guys,well spent yesterday buildin myself a bench above the pond. Sheltered from the sun in the middle of the day but in full sun later in the day. Made sure to make it broad enough and long enough for a comfy snooze. Also a good place to sit and watch the fish or read a book. Other than that have done a bit more fence painting. Hopefully will finish that tonight.  

Hi Guys, managed to get  the back section's fencing completed and painted ,  a tidy up and clear my feet a bit . This will be the home of the O gauge layout . The route of the G scale road bed will be altered a bit towards the rear fence so it takes up less space.  The locomotive in the second picture is my latest addition to my Piko G collection. Deutsche Reichsbahn BR64 2-6-2 tank. 

Hi Guys, well making a living and inclement weather haven't helped with progress the last few days ,however have pushed the G scale track laying on a bit. The trackbed was laid with double track running in mind however now only single track will be in situ on the G scale line. The G scale on this section will be very much visually secondary to the O gauge once it and its accompanying scenic work is in place.  

 Looking good

Davy,

You have created a beautiful garden. So close to finishing. Time for a cold one.

Cheers guys, ....  it's comin together Carl, the non railway bits of the garden are 95% finished now,however theres a whole load of work on the railway front .Hopefully it'll be finished for the back end of the summer /autumn, then next year its time to play trains !! ,  

Hi Guys,well after a few days off the garden work makin a living I'm back at the garden. Started work this morning on the new O gauge layout. Just a few blocks laid .The O gauge will bridge the G scale at this point I laid a bit of track on the blockwork for the pics just to give you a idea of where this is goin. It will be at least another block high then I'll cement track fixing timber slats on top. Coating the bottom of the fence with bitumin as that portion of the fence will be out of access for repainting in future once the scenic work is done.  

Hi Davy,will the O layout follow the same area and track-plan as the G ?

Hi George,no,the O scale layout will be completely confined to the partitioned off raised back section of the garden between the two back fences.Wont be all that wide but will still have good long runs,and if I get the rockwork and planting right should be well pleasing to the eye too... . This job will be no quick fix. Will take a fair old bit of material and time to complete. I want to try and keep the G scale and O gauge as scenically seperate entities as possible in this section. I'd gladly keep the G scale out of view in this area in one big tunnel if possible however being practical access to the g scale is of course mandatory in case of derailments. But i'll try to keep it as obscure from the O as much as possible. 

Hi Guys, ...this concrete block method is turning out quite good. Taking the time to get the block work dead level then cementing the track-fixing timbers in place is making things go quite smooth. I have four corner curves to do , ver near finished the first one, ...so far so good.  

some  track  just lying roughly in place . 

Wowsers! 

Mornin guys,well started at 7.30am , left side curve track base now in situ..,  

Hi Guys, the left hand main curved trackbed is now in situ and am now onto building up the main straight section which will run along the back fence. Will probably fan out to 4 or more tracks /station etc., 

Hi Guys well a decent mornin's progress,unfortunately I have to go and make a crust this afternoon ,however gettin there.... 

Mornin guys, made a start to some of the scenic rock work, I'll need a whole load more stone and plants before this O gauge layout is finished,anyway, ...its a start..

Hi Guys well started at 7am this mornin and pushed on with the O gauge layout base,got on quite good before I had to go to work. The curving mainline will sweep back in towards the fence ,then  will cross the G scale track again before curving back to join the line along the back fence. Hoping to pull off the look of a mainline cutting thru mountain/hill country. 

As usual nice work Davy. Your project seems to be progressing very well.

Keep the photos coming , enjoy watching your efforts.

Larry

Davy Mac,

I just found your wonderful story a few days ago.  Excellent work!  Please pardon me if you already gave this information; but how wide is this section of your garden railroad, and what size curves are you using to make the big bend?  Thank you so much!!

Hi Guys, Larry...,thanks for your thumbs up and encouragement its always  appreciated. .  Mark (Boyce) thankyou too and glad you're liking the project. As for the curves , I don't know exactly what curvature they are Mark, everything pretty much is done by the eye and guesswork estimation except for the essential  use of a spirit level.  The verticle boards on the fence are 6  inches wide so I reckon that back area is about 10 feet wide on the left side and narrows down to about 7ft on the right. I have never actually measured the length of the plot. I'd reckon the end curve on the layout L/H side already in situ must be around 4 feet radius or thereabouts ?? ....when I get to the right hand side the curvature will be tighter. The biggest O gauge loco I have is a B&O EM1 articulated so hopefully the finished curves will accomodate it. I also have a UP FEF 4-8-4 with a fairly long wheelbase so hopefully they'll have enough side play in their chassis . Pretty sure they'll be fine on the left hand side curvatures but the right hand side curvatures will of physical necessity be tighter.They'll be no problem for diesels or short wheelbase steam engines but the bigger steamers ...fingers crossed  ..... I'll just make the R/H end curve as wide as I can and hope for the best. If they go round the curves good and well if not ...well they'll be goin on ebay... .  (AFTERTHOUGHT>>>> when I'm refering to left and right I'm always meaning relative to looking out from the house). 

Davy Mac,

Thank you on the dimensions.  4 feet radius; that's O96.  I think you should be good.

Hi Mark,  I'll no manage 4 feet curves at the other end though ,I think maybe around 3 ft radius will be my max. ..,if that ???? . Been to the builders merchants this mornin and picked up another 20 blocks but the weathers intermittent heavy rain showers today,....pain in the butt !!  

Hi Mark, this is 2 rail O the larger the steam engine with fixed drivers the larger the curve, 8' diameter might work I don't know about 6' diameter. 3 rail this would work with no issues, 2 rail is a different beast.

Davy, 10' would be better. Give it a try with your current curves & see how your engines work.

Seacoast posted:

Hi Mark, this is 2 rail O the larger the steam engine with fixed drivers the larger the curve, 8' diameter might work I don't know about 6' diameter. 3 rail this would work with no issues, 2 rail is a different beast.

Davy, 10' would be better. Give it a try with your current curves & see how your engines work.

Thank you George!  Yes 2 rail is a different story.

Hi Guys, 10ft diameter is a definite impossibility on the right side of the plot . So if the max curves prove too tight for the bigger locos then I'll sell them off, nothing else for it.  Got nothing done today  other than bringing in another 20 blocks ,however ,better weather forecast for tomorrow, 

Hi Davy , Glad to see that you are making good progress on the upper back end . You seem to get a lot of rain showers in your local area , I'm just wondering if you have allowed for any kind of drainage in the O gauge area , or is this not an issue.  Everything is looking great and I like all the different flowers that you have planted . It's a pleasure to follow your work . Jim

Hi Jim, glad you're liking the project ,thanks. ......" a lot of rain showers"..., .... ha ha ,in Scotland we get the "odd sunny spell" would be more accurate... in the bible it says it was a "disaster" when it rained for "40 days and nights", in Scotland thats what we call the "summer"...lol .  On a serious note though, drainage isn't a problem Jim, that whole section is built up with rubble ,any wee pools appear its a simple case of drilling a hole and the water's gone. Theres a whole load of rubble and stone ,plants and stuff yet to be imported to dress that back section once the track base is finished. The landscaping will be dressed right to the edge of the blockwork.  

Davy Mac posted:

Hi Guys, 10ft diameter is a definite impossibility on the right side of the plot . So if the max curves prove too tight for the bigger locos then I'll sell them off, nothing else for it.  Got nothing done today  other than bringing in another 20 blocks ,however ,better weather forecast for tomorrow, 

 

Never fear Davy, I'm sure you will make it work. You have a great dilemma both G and O scale, it will be great fun.

Hi Guys better progress today ...

Hi Guys ,well cleared my feet a bit this mornin and have pushed on a bit with the O gauge R/H curve construction, the route of the next part of the single G scale line is roughly marked in yellow in the pics.

Lunchtime...., basic trackbed base for the G scale laid and cemented. 

That's a lot of good work you did today.

I am curious how much trouble you have with freezing and thawing where you live in Scotland.  Here in Pennsylvania, it can go down to -20 degrees F, then a week later be just above freezing.  It looks to me you are on top of that problem, but I have a soft spot for Scotland, since my ancestors were from Scotland.

Nice progress. I haven't started mine, and it doesn't look good for this summer.

Don

Mark Boyce posted:

That's a lot of good work you did today.

I am curious how much trouble you have with freezing and thawing where you live in Scotland.  Here in Pennsylvania, it can go down to -20 degrees F, then a week later be just above freezing.  It looks to me you are on top of that problem, but I have a soft spot for Scotland, since my ancestors were from Scotland.

Hi Mark, its only very occasionally we see real hard frost in this area ,frost heave not really an issue. I worked on tonight and pushed the block work on to the point where the G scale passes under the O gauge on the opposite side. Lots of Scots ancestry in the states and Canada. 

rail posted:

Nice progress. I haven't started mine, and it doesn't look good for this summer.

Don

Hi Don, never mind I'm sure you'll make a start when the bug bites hard enough !

Anyway guys, worked till lunch time on the O gauge formation then headed out to a scrap yard to see if I could get my hands on an old bus water pump. Thats what I used for the mechanism for my turntable on the G scale line, luckily the guy in the scrappies had one in stock . I took it to a welder's workshop to get a turntable-bridge welded on.So I will have it back next week. Ordered the bridge at 32" so it can take my B&O EM-1. Hope the EM1 can handle the curves on the new layout....fingers crossed. The welder is goin to weld a tube onto the pulley spindle and then the bridge. Haven't made up my mind yet where to locate the turntable on the layout but its a must for a steam nut like myself. Wee video of the pump and a photo of the layout work at the end of play tonight.... 

Davy Mac posted:

rail posted:

Nice progress. I haven't started mine, and it doesn't look good for this summer.

Don

Hi Don, never mind I'm sure you'll make a start when the bug bites hard enough !

 

I spent much of my time working on a 12" to 1' switching shanty that is now nearly complete. No I have to jump on some home projects. Maybe a start in the fall to have a head start for next year.

Don

Davy,

I thought you didn't have much frost problem, but wanted to confirm.  Parts of my paved driveway will heave up over an inch at times, but I thought you wouldn't have to worry.

Very good idea to use the pump.  I couldn't get the video to play, but it may be because I'm looking at my smart phone that is smarter than me.  I'll take a look see at home later.

I couldn't get the video to play either ,and I 'm on my PC . Seems to happen a lot of times lately , on different threads as well . Jim

Hi Guys, sorry the video isn't playing ???? . I've sent you it by Email Jim. Maybe you can get it to work. Whatever heres some pics of how I did the previous turntable using another old water pump mech. This one I've just bought will be simpler to level because it has a nice flat base with bolt-holes.  1st pic is the new one. next three pics are pics of the turntable on the G scale line when under construction.  

Hi Guys,well spent the early morning puttin together that wee garden furniture set which arrived in boxes last night.  Pic is my wife and her pal christening it ! ....  soon hopefully I'll be sittin there relaxed controlling my G scale by DCC from my new tablet !.  Also have another comfy perch planned for the O scale layout behind the fence !!. 

Hi Guys ,well, hopefully I took delivery of what will be the last or at least almost the last major delivery of hardscaping materials. Also sourced a load of 2nd hand demolition brick which is ideal for building up the sides of the blocked O scale trackbed . I've lost count of how many tons of stuff I've humphed from the side of the road out front thru the house and into the back garden. I have no vehicular access at the back ,which is good from a security point of view but bad when it comes to shiftin stuff from front to back. Oh well no point sittin here moaning ....better get on with it ! 

Hi Guys, oh well, three hours later I;ve put some of the old brick to good use, but now I have to stop and go earn a living. The O gauge track base  is now all joined up on the ground along the back fence.  Will soon have the whole main circuit complete..

Gi Guys, well put a good shift in today, right hand corner now more or less levelled off with hardcore, trackbase built up another tier along the back fence and a start made to the landscaping support brick work along the back of the middle fence....,plus armoured electric cables installed by an electrician friend of mine 

Turntable mech back from the welding shop....

Great looking work! It my just be me but the video is just black screen.

mike g. posted:

Great looking work! It my just be me but the video is just black screen.

Hi Mike, thanks for the thumbs up, not sure what the problem is with the videos.Working fine this end, you're not the first to have the problem,seems to work for some guys and not for others. ???? I'm afraid I'm pretty useless with anything at all complicated computer-wise. However the video is no big deal, just shows the turntable bridge spinning.  It will be set level in the ground and the well built round it. However I still haven't made up my mind exactly where yet . Once I get the main track circuits complete I'll get the turntable installed. I need to take a few things into consideration ,like 1 to 1 scale foot access from one end of the back section to the other, how it will all fit in with the G scale line etc. However gettin there slow but sure ! 

Sounds great, I can't wait to see more!

Late start today....however ,decided to bridge the G scale line. Used some surplus decking boards and some right/angled cleats. These will be cemented over Simple enough procedure. Once in place I bitumined the boards which are already pressure treated so should last longer than me !  

Looking good Davy, I take it the 3 board near the fence is for a siding?

I never saw grooves in decking boards here in Pennsylvania.  Interesting.

Mark Boyce posted:

I never saw grooves in decking boards here in Pennsylvania.  Interesting.

They are for hidden fasteners, typical in the non-wood decking, but the concept would work with wood.

Moonman posted:

Mark Boyce posted:

I never saw grooves in decking boards here in Pennsylvania.  Interesting.

They are for hidden fasteners, typical in the non-wood decking, but the concept would work with wood.

Ah ha!  Thank you Carl!  I have never inspected the non wood kind.

Hi Guys, as for the grooves in the decking,as far as I was aware they are there to improve foot grip ??  The third board on the crossing Mike isn't for a siding its just to support the scenic backdrop stonework. Its already been cemented over and some stones laid on it since I posted the pictures. I'll post new pics in the morning .  

mike g. posted:

Looking good Davy, I take it the 3 board near the fence is for a siding?

Hi Mike, heres the "bridge" this mornin, (after rain during the night) . As you can see the 3rd board is now under stone and cement,I will build more stone on top of this as things progress.  The second pic shows the brickwork along the fence. This is to support bigger stonework /boulders.,as I want to create a mountainous look on that sweeping curve section, along the lines of the 3rd picture ,which was a B&O train on my old defunct G scale layout one winter morning years ago.  

Davy Mac posted:

Hi Guys, as for the grooves in the decking,as far as I was aware they are there to improve foot grip ??  The third board on the crossing Mike isn't for a siding its just to support the scenic backdrop stonework. Its already been cemented over and some stones laid on it since I posted the pictures. I'll post new pics in the morning .  

 

No, they belong on the bottom and are there to let the bottom "breathe" to wick away moisture as well as providing bite points for older hidden fastener systems. The breathing saves the deck joists at the contact points with the deck board versus the flat boards...at least that's what they want you to believe. Mother nature will eventually win.

Moonman posted:

Davy Mac posted:

Hi Guys, as for the grooves in the decking,as far as I was aware they are there to improve foot grip ??  The third board on the crossing Mike isn't for a siding its just to support the scenic backdrop stonework. Its already been cemented over and some stones laid on it since I posted the pictures. I'll post new pics in the morning .  

 

No, they belong on the bottom and are there to let the bottom "breathe" to wick away moisture as well as providing bite points for older hidden fastener systems. The breathing saves the deck joists at the contact points with the deck board versus the flat boards...at least that's what they want you to believe. Mother nature will eventually win.

Hi Carl, oh well, there you go ,ah learns sumthin every day, but over here everybody lays them groove side up hmmmmmm ??????? However I use them for everything but decking. Always find wood decking too ****ed slippery, especially in a wet climate like Scotland. 

Well need to go to and make a living right now ,spent the mornin doin some brickwork along the track base side. Again this is for support for stonework to be added later.  

Davy Mac posted:

Moonman posted:

Davy Mac posted:

Hi Guys, as for the grooves in the decking,as far as I was aware they are there to improve foot grip ??  The third board on the crossing Mike isn't for a siding its just to support the scenic backdrop stonework. Its already been cemented over and some stones laid on it since I posted the pictures. I'll post new pics in the morning .  

 

No, they belong on the bottom and are there to let the bottom "breathe" to wick away moisture as well as providing bite points for older hidden fastener systems. The breathing saves the deck joists at the contact points with the deck board versus the flat boards...at least that's what they want you to believe. Mother nature will eventually win.

Hi Carl, oh well, there you go ,ah learns sumthin every day, but over here everybody lays them groove side up hmmmmmm ??????? However I use them for everything but decking. Always find wood decking too ****ed slippery, especially in a wet climate like Scotland. 

 

Ahhh, we drift from your beautiful masonry work and the great railroad that you are building.

Use 'em as you like, results may vary...back to Davy's Garden

Davy Mac posted:

Hi Guys, as for the grooves in the decking,as far as I was aware they are there to improve foot grip ??  The third board on the crossing Mike isn't for a siding its just to support the scenic backdrop stonework. Its already been cemented over and some stones laid on it since I posted the pictures. I'll post new pics in the morning .  

 

Yes, I wondered about increasing foot grip myself at first.

The winter scene with the B&O warms my heart.  I grew up 1/2 mile from the B&O.  My maternal grandfather was a fireman on trains like that prior to being disabled in WWI - mustard gas.  His route went from Pittsburgh north into the mountains to a place called Mount Jewett.  My parents and then I as well grew up along that route.

Moonman posted:

Davy Mac posted:

Hi Guys, as for the grooves in the decking,as far as I was aware they are there to improve foot grip ??  The third board on the crossing Mike isn't for a siding its just to support the scenic backdrop stonework. Its already been cemented over and some stones laid on it since I posted the pictures. I'll post new pics in the morning .  

 

No, they belong on the bottom and are there to let the bottom "breathe" to wick away moisture as well as providing bite points for older hidden fastener systems. The breathing saves the deck joists at the contact points with the deck board versus the flat boards...at least that's what they want you to believe. Mother nature will eventually win.

Makes sense Carl!!  You are a man of many talents!

Davy Mac posted:

mike g. posted:

Looking good Davy, I take it the 3 board near the fence is for a siding?

Hi Mike, heres the "bridge" this mornin, (after rain during the night) . As you can see the 3rd board is now under stone and cement,I will build more stone on top of this as things progress.  The second pic shows the brickwork along the fence. This is to support bigger stonework /boulders.,as I want to create a mountainous look on that sweeping curve section, along the lines of the 3rd picture ,which was a B&O train on my old defunct G scale layout one winter morning years ago.  

Great Looking work Davy, every time I see what you do I and amazed!

Hi Guys, well after a hectic weekend working I got back into the garden project later on today. Wasn't at it for long but managed to get the base for my wee man-hut or "bothy" as we call such a place in Scotland (derived from the Gaelic "bothan") . As usual , the rough plan is in my head,what this wee place will actually finish up like is anybody's guess . It will be of necessity tiny but if I can squeeze in a comfy wee seat and a wee electric heater for cold winter days then thats good enough for me. At this point it looks a bit sinister eh ?,but honestly my wife isn't under there ..... 

Davy Mac,

I was just thinking this morning about whether you run trains in the winter, but more specifically how many hours of daylight you have in December.  I know you are at a good bit higher latitude than I am in Pennsylvania, and it is usually dreary as I suppose the skies are for you.

Looks like you have a plan, but I hadn't wondered what might be 6 feet under.  

Davy Mac posted:

Hi Guys, well after a hectic weekend working I got back into the garden project later on today. Wasn't at it for long but managed to get the base for my wee man-hut or "bothy" as we call such a place in Scotland (derived from the Gaelic "bothan") . As usual , the rough plan is in my head,what this wee place will actually finish up like is anybody's guess . It will be of necessity tiny but if I can squeeze in a comfy wee seat and a wee electric heater for cold winter days then thats good enough for me. At this point it looks a bit sinister eh ?,but honestly my wife isn't under there ..... 

Davy, I am glad your wife isn't in there, that's a long box she would have been really tall. LOL Great looking work Davy!

Hi Guys, you just have to excuse my warped morbid sense of humour , thats what comes of havin been an undertaker at one time  .... ha ha.  Aye we are quite far north here Mark, about as far/further? north I believe approximately as Toronto ,Canada . Days are short in winter but very long in summer. As for dreary skies, when you live in Scotland you get well used to grey skies and plenty rain off the atlantic ocean,however when the sun shines it makes up for all the grey days. In winter we quite often get really nice sunny but very cold days. On days like that I intend to be in my wee hut running trains ...... in cosy comfort . 

And so the wee begins to take shape

Looks like a great plan!  I see an electric outlet.  I assume you will have a nice window to use to view trains.  I must say, I have seen plenty of photos and videos of folks running trains outdoors in the winter; but I have never seen anyone build a hut to stay warm while doing so.  Excellent!!

Looking good, don't forget the coffee maker!

Awesome Davy

Hi Guys, well, the wee "Bothy" or "Howf", (Scots dialect) , has a waterproof roof. That was my target for today. I've left ample room for a big window or windows looking on to the O gauge line. I'll also install the DCC wi-fi control for the G scale in there too. Wee electric heater and a kettle.  .Might even see if I can get my sleepin bag out there ....I'm daft enough...ha ha. There were a few showers of rain today however the sun came out enough to dry things up at the critical moment so I managed to get the roof bitumen painted. Should keep the water out for now. Ah well ......dinner time !!    

Nice Davy or a pint of your favorite Brew!

Hi Guys, lousy weather thuis mornin ,so went and got a large perspex window pane cut as i decided I like the idea of an uninterupted view of the O gauge layout from the hut...  one of my grandaughters Caitlin  trying the wee hut out for size. 

It now looks like a control tower. A pure like it!

Hi Davy, Looks like home away from home. Just wondering did you seal the caps between the fence boards to keep water and wind out? You know you don't want a draft blowing in while your trying to run trains.

Hi Guys, Yip Carl, startin to look like a control tower right enough, thought that myself too, as for the fence boarding Mike, the fence between me and my neightbour is double sided but even at that I'll be lining it with  plywood  bitumin painted on the back side too. Don't worry I intend to be absolutely comfortable on a cold winter day !!.

Hi Guys, well after a few days off due to rotten weather and working I'm back into the project. Have laid slabs at the mouth of the hut and am in the process of laying the G scale track bed in this area. Quite fernickety here because I'm also making a storage cupboard type thing on top of the slabs to take the lawnmower, garden tools and other bits and pieces etc.,. The G track has then to slip round the side of the hut and under the OO layout at this point ,plus I need to make a set of access steps up and over the OO gauge track base.So quite a bit of work involved just in this wee corner. Anyway,sun's shinin ..so better get back out there ! 

Looking good Davy, I like how you always stay strong on your layout between weather and work. Its going to be great to see the finished product!

 mike g. posted:

Looking good Davy, I like how you always stay strong on your layout between weather and work. Its going to be great to see the finished product!

Hi Mike, fightin against the clock ,doin my ****dest to get things finished before the impossible winter weather arrives. However ,its very time consuming. managed to get the wee garden tools store more or less up ,roofed and one door hung (albeit a bit out of line ). Still it works ,I'll gummy it up somehow to look OK tomorrow when I hang the second door. To be good weather most of this week so should get pushed on a good bit. . Time for a shower and then park my butt in the big chair  

Up sharp this morning , garden tool store finished bar the paint 

The tool store looks great!  How deep is it, so I can get the right perspective?

Now there is a good looking tool shed. You could probably start a side job build them and selling them! Just wondering do you have a place to bring your outside trains inside when its really bad weather?

Hi Guys,thanks for the thumbs up. The tool shed isn't all that deep Mark, about half the depth of the wee hut.However it takes the lawn mower (smal fly-mo type) and other garden tools. I have a big shed right along one side of the house Mike thats full of trains and train related junk thats badly needing cleared out and half the stuff sold off ,...another project for completion once the garden's finished.  Just about to go pick up one of my grandaughters when she finishes school and we're heading to a swim hole in a river in the hills. Hot sunny day here. So just finished for the day. Have the base for the steps over the O gauge line built using old bricks. Once the cement is set I'll overlay them in stone. I've also got the track fixing timbers set in cement between the steps and the hut. So thats me done for the day ! 

Looking Good!

Davy, All I can say is with all the great work I hope you enjoy the day with your granddaughter at the swimming hole today!

mike g. posted:

Davy, All I can say is with all the great work I hope you enjoy the day with your granddaughter at the swimming hole today!

Hi Mike, well, still here,Caitlin decided she wasn't goin swimmin today because none of her pals was available to go with her ,so that was that. Maybe tomorrow..... so I parked my butt out in my wee front garden and watched some other characters having a swim  

Hi Davy, Still a GREAT way to spend the day! Enjoy the sunshine!

Hi Guys, roastin weather here today,.... been working on the steps down the other side of the O gauge layout . Lot of work to go before this is finished.All to be dressed with stone. However the stone has to be sourced,gathered and brought home and dragged to the back of the garden before that finishing job can begin  ...  still.... needs must....   

Hi Guys, well had a break for dinner then had another go when the sun went round the front of the house and  things cooled down a bit at the back in the shade. Heres the state of play at the end of the day. G scale track fixing timbers laid right round the corner and a hand rail cemented in place. While still fairly steady on my feet at 63 I might no be so steady in years to come so I'm thinkin ahead,plus theres always the night I might have had too much to drink and need a wee bit support ...lol  

Way to go Davy, A man after my own heart! Think ahead, I never did then one day it bit me in the A**! Now I take every day new and exciting and plan for the long haul!

Hi Guys, well not much physical progress on the layout today, spent the day collecting stones from a local river for the scenic work on the layout . Another lovely day again, ....worse places to pass a day....mind you humphing the stones up the river side wasn't much fun, just about dead on my feet tonight,but hey ho, no pain no gain eh ?  .So heres me today...(PS hope the movie works ????)

Hi Davy, hard work always pays off in the end! All I got for a video was a black screen and the sound of the river.

mike g. posted:

Hi Davy, hard work always pays off in the end! All I got for a video was a black screen and the sound of the river.

Hi Mike, sorry about the lack of visual on the video, afraid I remain hopeless at curing this problem,works OK this end ???? .As for the hard work, ....does make the effort worthwhile when you achieve the desired results........onwards and upwards !!

Hi Davy, the Video worked great in the Email you sent me. Makes me feel right at home, I grew up and a river just like that with all the green trees here in the Pacific Northwest!!! Always green around here! Thanks for bringing back memories!

mike g. posted:

Hi Davy, the Video worked great in the Email you sent me. Makes me feel right at home, I grew up and a river just like that with all the green trees here in the Pacific Northwest!!! Always green around here! Thanks for bringing back memories!

Hi Mike, ...one thing we're not short of in Scotland is rivers and water ...... ,this river ,the Avon, spills into the bigger River Clyde and as part of ,eventually runs through Glasgow to the sea beyond.....  

Hi Guys, just received this pic from my next door neighbour, was taken a couple of years ago..   glad to say the whale-gut is greatly reduced these days .... My garden used to go downhill to the same level as my neighbour at this side.... however as we all know trains like it more level  ,so had to build up my plot to level of course.... built that wall I'm standin on too, as you can see it involved collecting a few stones ......  

Davy, you ROCK !

Davy, Now that your showing your past, I am starting to thing your just a rock hound and using trains to hide the fact that you like picking rocks!

Hi Mike,love workin with natural stone. Always on the hunt for stones with "character" .Particularly so for tryin to get a kinda scale look adjacent to the train tracks. I picked up some really nice stones today, probably wont get anythin done with them till next week though now as the  good weather has to succumb to rain tomorrow for a couple of days, .....

Rock and rolls  on the baggies!

Hi Guys, well finally gettin around to some scenic work on the O gauge layout. Staged this wee photo shoot just to give you an idea where its goin. I;ve planted the first miniature spruce.Its in very little soil but has slow release fertiliser in the compost. These are very slow growing and it will be years before it gets to any size and with the very small amount of soil it has should be very stunted hopefully having somewhat of a bonsai effect. So the "mountain"scenery makes a start.

Hi Guys, just pushin on with the scenic work today , very time consuming ,but hey ho... gettin there. 

Davy, pushin-on and rockin-on ! Looks great !

Looks great Davy! If I made our yard look like that I bet my wife would let me put trains in it. But we have a huge yard, and I'm still trying to just get grass in! Love your work!

Arthur posted:

Davy, pushin-on and rockin-on ! Looks great !

Cheers Arthur, ....need to get more stones out the river, river level was up the last couple of days due to heavy rainfall,however sunny and dry again so hopefully the water level will be back down off the  patch where I get the rocks. Still need a whole lot of stuff yet to complete things. Once I get that side I'm working on finished I need to make up my mind exactly where the loco stabling area and turntable will be allocated. haven't made my mind up exactly yet. I also have to fit in an access path and the G scale line. Anyway,all good fun ! 

mike g. posted:

Looks great Davy! If I made our yard look like that I bet my wife would let me put trains in it. But we have a huge yard, and I'm still trying to just get grass in! Love your work!

Thanks Mike.  Tryin so hard to get the scenic work and hardscaping done before winter sets in,but everything seems to take so long , still ,its comin together !!    

Looking very good Davy.

I can't wait to get started on my 1st attempt at a small outdoor garden layout this fall. Been accumulating materials all summer for it just watching you and reading.

You sure can intimidate a new outside layout beginner. hee hee just kidding.

Keep up the excellent work. Enjoy watching your progress and especially the techniques you are teaching us new guys that are venturing into the world of G gauge.    Me ........ totally lost.

Larry

Hi Larry, thanks,

Larry Sr. posted:

Looking very good Davy.

I can't wait to get started on my 1st attempt at a small outdoor garden layout this fall. Been accumulating materials all summer for it just watching you and reading.

You sure can intimidate a new outside layout beginner. hee hee just kidding.

Keep up the excellent work. Enjoy watching your progress and especially the techniques you are teaching us new guys that are venturing into the world of G gauge.    Me ........ totally lost.

Larry

Hi Larry,  just bear in mind that some of my techniques might not suit some US climate zones. Severe frost heave being the main one potentially methinks. However having spoken to some Canadian garden railway modellers in the past who have to cope with some severe frosts of a winter,their main frost antedote seems to be good layout drainage. "No water retention = no frost heave" seems to be the order of the day in Canada. I don't know how different your climate is in Tennessee ?.  Anyway ,good luck with your project.  

Thanks for that info Davy.

I will send ya some photos when my G gauge ADVENTURE starts

Just like my O gauge I will be winging it on the fly

Larry

Larry Sr. posted:

Thanks for that info Davy.

I will send ya some photos when my G gauge ADVENTURE starts

Just like my O gauge I will be winging it on the fly

Larry

I'll look forward to that Larry. One real mistake folk often make when tryin to do rockeries etc is to make great big piles of topsoil and stick boulders in it. Just not the way to go. The rocks just sink into the soil and never look right. Becomes a mess in heavy rain etc.,  Better to make your scenery on  a rubble base.Any old rubble's fine ,or crushed rock whatever, then place your finishing rockery stones in place.They'll never move. I then apply a shallow compost/rough sand mix ,stick in your miniature plants/trees etc., and top off with a pea gravel.  Bullet proof tried and tested method. Alpine plants in nature grow in poor thin soils in mountain country,so basically ....copy nature.... 

 .

hi Guys, started to ballast the G scale layout. Granite 6mm chips. Don't know exactly what colour they'll be when the dust washes off them but they look OK.

Looks just wonderful Davy, a lot of work there. Please tell me you didn't get that out of the river also! LOL

mike g. posted:

Looks just wonderful Davy, a lot of work there. Please tell me you didn't get that out of the river also! LOL

Hi Mike, no, I noticed it yesterday while in the builder's merchants yard and bought a few bags. Its fine for the G scale 45mm track but I think it will look too big against the O gauge track. Anyway I'll try some against the O gauge and see what it looks like.There is a finer grade of crushing we call whin-dust, only problem is  its a red rock. And in Scotland we actually do have areas where the mainline 1 to 1 scale tracks are ballasted with red ballast. So would look OK if I was only running Scottish trains but have never seen red ballast in the states or in mainland Europe ???? Anyway, we'll see. I used to get a fine grey quarry grit years ago but the quarry I used to get it from has new personnel and they are health and safety nuts, the old guys that used to work there would let you in to fill bags of the stuff for a few bucks but not these days...   God knows how we survived without health and safety regulations in days gone by.. . 

HI Guys, not a lot done yesterday but I got the G scale track bed edged with stones to retain the ballast along the house face. I can now get the wall strapped and timbered and painted..... just another finishing job of many still needing done !  

I like the Ballasting of the track Davy nice work!

Seacoast posted:

I like the Ballasting of the track Davy nice work!

Cheers George !!

Hi Guys, well got the wall strapped and mostly boarded yesterday,Just about to finish it off and get it painted. Treated timber strips were nailed to the concrete blocks using masonry nails then the strips were bitumined. Then boarding nailed to the timber strips. 

Great work Davy, what's next?