New garden layout

That body of water to the right of the paddling pool, for reference purposes, I'll call it lake Rick, is that what you will be bridging? Nothing says railroading quite like a great span over the water.

Actually, there are a lot of things that "says railroading...", but it was a handy phrase to use, at the time.

I was wondering if those small stone chips and all(stone dust), when the weathers warmer and things dry out..., would that foul the O gauge equipments gears etc.? G gauge equipment manufacturers probably take that into consideration, when they build their models; but, probably not the O gauge firms.

Say hi to your next door downhill neighbors, Ian and Margret, for me. Tell them... Rick from Canada says hi.

Cheers lad,

Rick

Hi Guys,

          Rick, no I'm no bridgin "Lake Rick" (anyway in Scotland it would be Loch Rick! ha ha ). See the left corner among those tree at the back of the paddling pool ?. well theres water runs down a small waterfall and very short stream and tumbles into "Loch Rick". I'll be bridgin that wee stream. As for the ballasting,aye I will need to be carefull but I will make sure to vacuum the whole shebang to make sure that any stones that haven't taken to the cement are removed. Should be OK. Glad you are enjoying the thread Christopher. Oh well, weather's to be OK for the next few days apparently so hopefully we'll get some good progress tomorrow . Cheers  DAVY

If that's Scotland's way... Loch Rick it shall be. Loch Rick... it kind of has a ring to it.

Re: the fine dust, maybe some kind of a clear spray sealant, would keep things tight and dust free.

Rick

Good morning Davy,

I'm heading off to bed in a minute, but I thought I'd mention this -

Even if you vacuum well... there will probably still be some fine dust lying around your track area. The elements will see to that. Ongoing erosion of the surface layer is a given, and that will release the fine particles.

I'm thinking a dry lubricant would work best, for those kinds of conditions. Something that doesn't catch and hold the dust/dirt, like wet lubricants do.

BTW, I'm guessing you have yourself a fine kilt, with all the trimmings... sporn and all?

Rick

Hi Guys, oh well heres the latest. The paddling pond surround is approaching completion. I've also attached a couple of photos of the G scale bridges and track over the stream both of which will be getting lifted and removed right after I post this. The O scale replacement bridge will be a double track single span methinks and will be slighlty higher I'd reckon. 

 As for dust and stuff Rick,I don't enviseage a huge problem. But well see. Scotland has a generally damp climate so dust isn't often an issue. As for a kilt ,I have 3 and everything that goes with them. I'm often asked by women if theres anything worn under my kilt ,I always respond " No madam, nothing worn under my kilt, its all working fine would you like to try it !"  ha ha.Incidentally the new right-of-way for the O scale trains will go right thru where that plastic bag of gravel is sitting left of the paddling pool in the last picture here.  Anyway guys,away to get on with things as its a good forecast today and wet tomorrow .So I better go and make hay ! Cheers  DAVY   

The O gauge locomotives I have, have their idlers gears exposed. Similar to real trains, when O gauge equipment passes over track, small fine particles of stuff gets airborne. The rail equipments body-mass disturbs the still air, as it passes over the track, and that swirling vortex of air can pick up small lose particles/debris... in it's path. 

Are ya paying attention, lad? Are ya getting this...

A tech from one of the manufactures actually suggested that, I shouldn't use anything that could trap contaminants in the idler gears; because trapped contaminants can cause impaired operation... including binding and ultimately, the truck(s) can seize up.

I actually had to replace a seized up truck, once. I tried everything I could think of..., but I just couldn't get the wheels to budge.... and turn again.

BTW, hair, especially longer hair, can really foul up a truck... if it gets caught up and  wound in tight.

 Re Kilts:

A while back, I did some research on the famous Scottish rigs(kilts); and the good ones... are quite dear(expensive). There's also a wee bit of protocol that goes along with it...

I wouldn't mind sporting a big bad beard and a kilt one day, me son. I might have to resort to borrowing one of me mom's old plaid frocks though, if the official route becomes too challenging and expensive.

An idea:

When you finally complete this great new O gauge layout of yours... don one of you favorite kilts, strap on the bagpipes and have a proper opening ceremony. You might want to make a video of the occasion and post it here, as well.

Your a good lad, Davy.

Cheers to ya,

Rick

Better yet. Submit this article to garden railways magazine, they are part of the Kalmbach company, if it gets published they you pay for it.

Hi Guys,well another day's work . Had a mini disaster this morning, laid a good few stones and pointed them then disturbed the whole thing by accident and had to start again !,oh well never mind,just had to do it again. Well guys as you can see the bulk of the paddling pool stonework is complete, most of the rear and sides now planted with the small trees and rockery plants.The double track right of way will be to the left though not as far down in that hollow because the track bed will be up a good bit higher. Next job is to bring in a load of crushed rock and make a new patio and edge the right of way etc., but not tomorrow because the wetaher's to break and I have other things to do. Post a video ?., aye well Rick maybe I will. ha ha ! As for the track dust ,I'll be carefull.  As for posting with Kalmbach George, its an idea ??.

Anyway guys here's the days work.  Catch you in a couple fo days.  Cheers  DAVY 

Davy really like what your doing there in the garden. This is off topic but I noticed from a previous post that you play the accordion. I also play "Scottish" accordion and have a question for you concerning the music. If you have the time and feel inclined please email. 

 jwsj@bellsouth.net. Thanks John

Hi John,

          Glad you like the garden efforts.I will email you about the accordion. Cheers Davy

I have only one bridge on my outdoor line to rebuild and I have been holding off using this thread as an excuse, but more accurately to reassess the "engineering" behind it, or more accurately again, what the roadbed consists of. Thanks for taking the time to walk us through the paces, which is an invaluable guide to what seems to be a more than viable alternative to a floating track bed. My concern is that in my experience, using LGB rail makes for a pretty bullet proof system in terms of the thickness of the rail resisting being bent by an intentional or unintentional footfall on it. Does Peco have this sort of integral strength?..It"appears" to be less robust..in regard to this. I know that your roadbed makes up for any deflection from above ( I would think)..any thoughts, observations toward these concerns? Could Peco be used in a floating roadbed in terms of it's strength?

Aye lad,

I'm enjoying meself yakking with ya, here. It's almost seems like were pirates... with our phrasing of our words, and all.

A decent subject(your layout) + some fun...

I'm thinking you should have been some sort of a mason or rock worker... you seem to fit it, nicely. You're a machine with the rock and cement.

BTW, is there much of a difference with the Midlothian accent... from yours?

Me best,

Rick

Hi Guys, Electroliner (Bruce?) ...as for the Peco track.Are you refering to G scale 45mm?. Peco do G45 track and the ties (sleepers in UK speak) are very strong. But they are really meant to represent Narrow gauge track and the tie-spacing is wide for standard gauge trains of 1/29th or 1/32nd scale. Ideal though for Bachmann Big Haulers etc.,etc., 1/24th scale and suchlike. Though I used it for my 1/29th. I honestly wouldn't touch LGB or Aristoctraft trackwork with a bargepole,especially brass. Peco is way the better product in my opinion. I hate LGB and Aristocraft switches (points as we call them) Peco is way better in that department that I can assure you from experience. They also now do Gauge 1 track which is also 45mm but meant for 1/32nd standard gauge trains.They didn't do when I got into G scale so I used the G45. Now as for walking on it on a floating road bed, all I can say is that Peco G track is tough stuff. But the rail section is finer than LGB or Aristocraft/USA trains. But I reckon it would take as much punishment .having said that,I would never put any track on a floating roadbed. Especially in gravel. When I say gravel I mean as in smooth rounded river bed/sea bed gravel because it rolls on itself. Ever tried walking on gravel on a beach ? However machine crushed rock is a different kettle of fish because it locks on itself. Thats the same reason they don't use gravel on real railways. Round stones roll,sharp stones lock. I have plenty Peco G45 track-cuts so I can send you a piece to have a look at if you like ?. Anyway if you want a bit of it send me your adress .My email is david.cormack3@btinternet.com

 Rick,.... my accent is West Central Scotland/Glasgow,Midlothian is quite different.As for working with stone. I love it. Natural stone has a way of just looking right somehow. Maybe thats the Highland bit in me eh ? ha ha  Cheers  DAVY   

"Quite different" ya say... as in the Midlothian accent sounders a wee bit kewler?

I tried to find some good examples on youtube, but I didn't find much.

Re: construction materials used... I personally favor materials that possess a sort-of visual tactile quality. Stuff you can almost touch with your eyes. Wood, iron and definitely stone, fit into this category. With their aging qualities being the most appealing. Nothing says old quite like mold, mildew, rot, discoloration and rust; and iron, stone and wood take on these appearances tres bien(with a grave accent over the "e"). That's French, Davy.

When I first got into O, I used a product called Sakrete(a fine ready-mix concrete without the larger aggregate mixed in) for many structures... including, some buildings. I even used copper and brass. I like it's patina that appears over time.

Rick

BTW, Sakrete makes great looking stucco. I've used both... yellow wood glue or wet paint, as a bonding agent. The sakcrete bonds well, using glue or paint, and  produces a nice, realistic appearance.

Davy, have ya got any Pict in your genes?

Rick

 All right, if this thread is motivating, I'd better prove it.

  Where did you get the energy??? You must have an army working with you.

Maybe next year some track. I'm going back inside!

Hi Joe, thats a great lookin bit of ground you have there. Loads of potential. You could get a fantastic layout in that space. I am quite lucky in that where I live its fairly easy to obtain rocks and boulders and stuff. Some of that rubble for example I've used is broken brick from a house across the street from me which is having an extension built on and some old walls have been knocked out so I got the rubble from the workmen. I always keep my eyes open for anything that folk are discarding that can be used to build stuff. As for where I get the energy ,don't know,but I do everything myself. Keeps ye fit ! As for that plot of yours,I don't know what your intention is but I can picture how I'd tackle it . But at the end of the day it all comes down to budget,what materials are available to you and what time you have on your hands. And without being cheeky it also depends on how used you are to manual labour. But, in my minds eye I can enviseage a cracking layout on that plot of yours.Not being cheeky but can I ask why you've left those tree stumps so high ? My family were woodcutters (lumberjacks) for generations and I'm quite nifty with a chainsaw and axe myself.....just wondered if you have a purpose in leaving the stumps like that.??

 As for my project, I've been three days away from it because of bad weather and work commitments but I'm having a day at it today.  All the best   DAVY

I have just run across this thread and am really enjoying it.  Thank you.  What struck me from the beginning is the landscaping of your garden.  All of the different types of rock, weathered wood, and greenery really add to the outdoor feeling of the track.  You do not seem to be concerned about uniformity, mixing colors and shapes freely.  That really enhances the natural look in my opinion, not to mention making it very visually pleasing.  Also I expect you have been adding and modifying for years - it has been put together in successive projects, with different objectives which lends a rustic and aged feel. At least that is how it strikes me.

I was wondering where all of those materials came from, and I think you just explained that you have kept your eye out for materials for a lot of years.  I also see a lot of bags of materials that you must purchase from various supply stores.  A river nearby too. 

There looks to be a lot of heavy lifting, digging etc.  Not for the weak at heart - not to mention back.

Thanks again - wonderful stuff.

Hi Guys, thanks for the compliments "Colorado",I'll call you that seeing as I can't find a name for you if thats OK. I am always on the lookout for stuff thats getting thrown away by folks. Most folk a see an abandoned pile of rubble and rubbish , yours truly sees free infill or building material. Its amazing what folk throw away. as a rule of thumb,natural materials unworked by human hand always have a way of looking right. Like river smoothed stones. Many of the stones I've used do have worked faces/sides to them because they have come from old stone built houses that have been demolished,I always use the unworked sides where possible. Once things are in place for a couple fo years the weather gets to work along with moss and stuff , and before you know it it takes on that "been there forever" kinda look. I detest brick and uniform finishes etc. I see so many garden layouts that just look terrible to my eye.

Don't look natural at all.But ,everybody to their own.One man's food another man's poison eh ?.  Anyway,sunshine today so I'm pushing on with things. I wasn't going to re-install a turntable especially with me having built a "Y" but steam locos without turntables is like hot-dogs without ketchup,(or haggis without neeps(turnip) if you're Scottish ha ha !) Anyway my G scale truntable was 3ft 6" ft long but it was too big for O ,so I took it to the local blacksmith and got him to chop it down to 2ft 6". I got it made years ago from an old bus water pump pulley assembly I got from a scrap-yard. Just a metal bridge welded onto the pulley top.The rest of the mechanics get bedded in cement and the bridge turns sweet as honey. I use a washing machine drive belt stretched over a turning handle to turn the table manually. Anyway here';s the method so far. Simply suspend and level the assembly in position then fill the hole with concrete. Now I need to wait for the concrete to cure then I can start to build the turntable well. Anyway pictures speak a thousand words so heres the pics of things so far. I'm not doing a multi track roundhouse style layout just an "end of line" style turntable one or two off roads only. I'm goin to bring the sidings off the Y. Anyway all shall be revealed. I fancy a 2 or 3 road engine servicing facility with coal dock and water colums. Anyway guys back to the toil..... Davy. (Oh and PS Rick,if you are reading this, as you probably know "Scot" land took its name from an Irish Gaelic tribe,but the main bloodstock of Scotland was Pictish .So aye like most Scots I probably have a whole load of Pictish blood in my veins and genetics).

 I was thinking of using the one tree stump  with the pointed edge for a homemade mountain base. I wood carve it and add metal chicken wire. Then some concrete and rock? The train would go around a mountain edge and enter a tunnel. It's actual purpose is to protect the track there from a neighbor's berry tree.

 Halfway down the train would leave the mountain and tunnel and cross a waterfall pond area? I have big dreams but low resources. My back is shot! Time to call in some machinery.