New garden layout

Hey Davy.  I bought some Piko track.  Darn!   "Piko" "Peco" I got a bit confused.  I'm hoping the conductivity of the track won't matter if I am able to figure out the R/C thing.  

I am, however, interested in your used Peco G scale track.  I've ordered in the past from the UK and shipping hasn't been unreasonable.  I haven't really laid out a track plan, so don't know what I might need.  Right now it is likely just a simple loop, but I can see a future possibility of a switch or two.   Should we communicate about that through regular email?  If so, I am cgillette12@comcast.net.  I doubt I would need all that you have, but I trust there would be interest beyond what I might want. 

I'll do some rough measurements tomorrow.

Hi there Colorado, PIKO is a German company, Peco is the  UK company. I tried to email you but it bounced back at me as undeliverable ?? Anyway, try emailing me at David.Cormack3@btinternet.com and I'll see if I can reply that way. But aye I'm quite willing to send you whatever you think you need.  Been up to the wee sma hours so I'm away to bed 6 am !!! , will be back up at 8.00am and be playing bagpipes at a wedding at mid-day ! oh well,. Rick...you still there ?, hope you aren't drinkin another guiness trestle !    ha ha   DAVY 

Aye Lad, was taking a wee bit of a break from the forum.

Things have been off a bit lately. Haven't been feeling that...

As you can see from my previous involvement on this thread, I don't take the train thing too seriously. I like to have a bit of fun... when I come to the forum.

Did have meself half of another trestle module the other day... after moving my lawn.

A dead good reward.

I changed my train orders recently. I had a MTH BN SD24(hi-rail) arrive at my dealers, for me, but it had some running issues and had to be returned. I asked my dealer if they would mind if I changed the order... and get a MTH Premier scale wheels(2-rail) CNW AC4400CW, instead?

No problem. I, also, got them to change my MTH Premier CP H24-66 Train Master to a scale wheels version.

That will be 3 scale wheels units: a CNW AC4400CW, a CP Train Master and a Tarus 3 ES-64-U4. A nice sampling... to go with my lone scale wheels CN ES44DC.

I should be getting a call shortly for the CNW AC4400CW. I'm looking forward to seeing that. Nice livery for a AC4400CW.

Bedtime for me.

Take care,

Rick

Hi Rick, hope you're feelin better. You seem to be into modern diesels,I'm mainly a steam nut but then being born in 1953 and steam on the mainlines in Scotland still being around till 1967, and in coal mine operations till 1981 my love was for steam. I've tried my best to like diesels but I'm afraid they do little for me. Having said that ,I have just bought two old O scale Atlas 2 rail Santa Fe "Warbonnet" F units. Not high quality precision models but I've always loved that iconic American colourscheme and they'll do me fine for now. I don't think the santa fe red/silver warbonnet colourscheme was ever bettered and the old early F and E units still look better to my eyes than any diesel design since. As for steam I generally prefer USRA and USRA derivatives and east coast locomotives.However I always loved the Union Pacific FEF 4-8-4 one of which I've also just managed to get my hands on. I also like the UP Challenger and both these locos are still operational today so I might buy  couple of modern UP diesels and some modern freight cars to set a modern atmosphere to go with these two "modern" steamers.But for now I've just about spent all I can afford to till I get some serious selling of my HO and G stuff done. It gets too easy to get lost in buying eh ?  ha ha !

 Anyway,check this out http://www.railbrit.co.uk/location.php?loc=Polmadie,pictures of Polmadie Locomotive sheds (Engine terminal) past and present.(click on photos for full views) This loco facility was the biggest in Scotland and I used to pass it as a kid ver near every week on the local steam hauled suburban trains which ran from my hometown of Hamilton into Glasgow.Polmadie,pronounced (polma-dee) was steam nuts heaven.

 I remember well when my mother told me that there were "new" trains to take us into Glasgow. It turned out that the "new" trains were God-awfull diesel multiple units. I can remember sayin to my mam when I saw this green bus like creature,"wheres the engine?" ,well that was the start of my loathing of diesels.  The only good thing about these early diesel multiple units was that you could sit at the front looking up the track just to the side of the driver. So for a number of years steam was still around on freight and mainline passenger work ,so every time I went on the train to Glasgow after that I always tried to grab a  seat beside the driver so I got a grandstand view of all the rail activity ahead.Glasgow back then was a hive of heavy industry served by steam but you wouldn't know it today. All the big steel works and industrial complexes with their miles of rail sidings are gone.However ,I have the memories of the steam era.Today the line from Hamilton to Glasgow is ultra modern with electric overhead powered smooth as silk trains that whisk you into Glasgow in silence and where there once was industry its now all new housing estates and new roads and green fields, not a trace of the filthy old steamy soot encrusted industrial infrastructure to be seen.SO SAD. Ah well, didn't get a lot done over the weekend down to work commitments but I'm just about to go and get weaving on the railroad again !  catch you later Rick and guys DAVY

Oh well guys,heres today's progress.Shows newly rebuilt stone wall, rubble base,compost/soil with grit mixed thru on top, next,alpine plants and about a two inch covering of pea gravel. The right of way still to be completed ,but thats the centre formation rebuilt and where the station platform will be going and the by passing  siding. A wee station building, a platform and a couple of US style water columns either end will set the scene in the not too distant future I hope!.

Hi Guys , as I said in a previous post,steam lasted in Scotland in Coal mines up untill 1981 when these pics were taken. This the last place to use steam was Bedlay colliery just a few miles from where I live. This mine was worked by steam from 1905 till 1981 and diesels were never on the property in all those years. There were some 0-4-0 tanks "pugs"worked the mine as we called them in Scotland along with this old Hunslet 0-6-0T. I foot plated this loco in its last year of operation. It now resides forlorn and cold in the Summerlee heritage park in the nearby town of Coatbridge.You can just make out one of the "pugs" in the bottom right hand corner of the 2nd picture.NCB stands for National Coal Board. The 4 wheel mineral wagons you see too,once so proliferous  all over the uk are now a thing of the past too.   

Now just while I'm posting, some of you guys stateside probably have an impression of Scotland as a permanently misty wet place and it has to be said that yes we do get more than our fair share of the wet stuff ,but what few folk know is that we have beaches as white as any Carribean island and scenery to go with them and well,when the sun shines theres not a place on earth I'd rather be .We are a tiny country but we have some variety of scenery. Enjoy.... North West Scotland.

Good morning meson(it's morning here on the west coast... 8:45, as I write this),

Just got back from dropping off my critter at the vet, for surgery. He, my critter, hates going to the vet.

Correction: the CNW I previously mentioned is actually MTH's new Dash 9 model... not an AC4400CW. They look fairly similar, though.

Some interesting equipment on that site you provided. Lots to see.

I wouldn't mind having some steam, but the models I like are usually fairly big; and I'm crowded inside(the room my trains are in) as it is.

Just about bought myself a nice Premier 4-8-4, a few years back. Had a MTH Duchess ordered a few years ago too, but it arrived at my dealers DOA. So back it went and I cancelled that order.

BTW, my dealer's location is thousands of miles away from me, so I get my dealer to test all my new equipment, prior to having it shipped to me. A real buzz killer... anticipating a new arrival and it arrives defective. Best to find that out before it gets shipped out.

Your layout is coming along nicely. I can picture trains running there.

At first, when I saw that beach scene, I thought I had clicked onto the wrong thread. Nice looking beach...

Cheers,

Rick

Forgot to mention EMD E and F units in my last post. Some of the most aesthetic looking locomotives ever built.

I also like Alcos FA's, and their PA's have grown on me, too.

You are correct Davy... I do like modern diesel-electric locomotives, but I've have equipment  from all three generations of diesel-electric production.

Re: Glasgow's former heavy industry appearance... I imagine that industrial allure hook catches many appreciative eyes. That whole industrial revolution thing... definitely has a unique charm. Tactile when viewing... you can feel what you are seeing.

Rick

Davy,

I saw a show on African tigerfish, yesterday, and it got me thinking...

Perhaps a strategically placed moat, well stocked with tigerfish, might help to keep intruders in check/at bay...

A few Hydrocynus Goliaths roaming Loch Rick might make a nice wholesome feature, for you and your back garden/layout guests to enjoy.

Sort-of like Pit Bulls with fins...

Take care,

Rick

Hi Guys, spent the day tidying up the small lawn next to he house now that the wall is finished. Also turned it over and got it ready for re-turfing which is half finished tonight . Should finish it tomorrow. In a rush tonight,need to scoot  DAVY

Hi Guys, well heres todays progress.Got soaked to the skin in the rain laying turf in but thats the area next to the house almost completely made over. next move is back up to the paddling pond area to finish that patio,then I might finally get some more track laid and do some actual train stuff for a change. Anyway things moving along OK. As for tiger fish Rick ,maybe some Pirhanna too,then invite the wife to go for a swim eh ?? ha ha !!

That's a fine looking job you did installing the new turf, Davy. Well done!

Best pictures, yet... of your layout. The lawn and rock work compliment each other very nicely.

Very impressive, me son.

Cheers,

Rick

Hi Rick, aye things are startin to come together. Justr took this next picture from the kitchen diner. Sat a couple of locos out at the station area for this picture. I'll be sittin at the dinner table watchin the B&O,L&N,Santa Fe and whatever else takes my fancy. (The swing seat is just dumped there to get a coat of paint before it gets put back up in the top left hand corner of the garden near the paddling pool.2nd picture looking out the dining room to the left and theres the engine serrvicing and the wye area,the  coaling tower and standing  locos will be a pleasure to my eyes  room with a railway view eh ? can't wait to get the trains runnin !   DAVY 

 Looking good Davy!!  I see alot of dead "G" gauge trains laying around, whats up with that?  BTW the lawn looks great, maybe you could fly over to Idaho in the states and finish the lawn in my back yard.  I may be looking at knee surgery again and that will put a halt to any progress on the back yard and the upper loop on my outdoor layout.  Such is life, I need a good tune from your pipes.  Looking forward to see your trains run.

Chuck

Not bad, being able to watch from inside... Those midges of yours will be a little disappointed, though.

BTW, I've seen a few bad turf jobs... where there's been spaces left between the pieces of turf. It looks like you laid yours nice and tight.

See ya,

Rick

Davy, you may be interested to know, Darstaed are doing a Jinty and a Pannier in NCB livery, and a 2 rail version is on the way. There is a Scottish Distributor, Chris Reeve.

 I was thinking of pouring a concrete raised roadbed for the G scale track and then shoving the track in when still wet?

 Then, when closer to dry, hosing it down to expose the aggregate? Ever try this?

Hi Joe, never tried it. To be honest I think it might be quite a messy business and tricky to do. But might work.I'd definately do a trial run with a short piece of track as an experiment 1st though. I could see curves being a real problem too unless you were using set track. Would certainly be interesting to see how you got on. But I certainly would only do an experimental run first because I'd be doubtfull. I have seen something like that done with ponds.  It was the sloping side of a pond.Some kind of chemical was applied to the surface of the concrete while it was setting.Once the concrete was set a hose was applied and it left the gravel exposed,lookedlike a gravel beach kind of effect.But then I thought,well ,why not just scatter gravel onto  the surface of the wet cement ??? Anyway Joe , nothing ventured nothing gained.  Cheers  DAVY 

 That maybe a better idea? I could put smaller gravel on top and not risk harming the surface? That method also may keep the track cleaner?