A Garden Railway Pipedream: the odyssey continues

simond

Western Thunderer
I agree with Martyn, flowing curves, smooth...

I wonder, well, probably too late now, but wouldn't epoxy be a better means of preventing corrosion one the hidden wiring?

Best
Simon
 

Dikitriki

Flying Squad
Hi,

The weather has been awful the last few days, though it looks OK for tomorrow.

Last Wednesday we started work on the temporary bridge where the viaduct will go. Same basic construction as before.

P1010454a.jpg

There's just a slight curve, and the odd spacings of the poles are to enable us to use the cable trays left over; we had just enough! It's only temporary - we hope - but I am aware that temporary things, if they work, have a habit of becoming permanent.

On the one sunny day last week, we got the concrete base for the steam up and storage areas done. There's enough space to walk around and between comfortably. Lady D has made her mark:)....as has a pheasant:mad:

P1010455a.jpg

This week we hope to get the top boards on the 'viaduct', and a full circuit on Saturday :D

Richard
 

oldravendale

Western Thunderer
Its the angularity of the curve Brian, and the camera angle I guess - it is in fact flat!

The edges of the boards will be finished with a nice curve.

R
How could I possible doubt that the boards would be flat, Richard?:)

And why hasn't the Lady Dikitriki inscribed a love heart in the wet cement?:rolleyes:

B
 

Dikitriki

Flying Squad
Hi,

We had a really good day yesterday. While never sunny and threatening rain all day, it remained dry until we packed up. We got the boards on the missing section and substantially tracked it. I think I will realign the gentle curve just a wee bit when we lay the missing section, and then cut the board edges to match the track - they were deliberately left over-wide. We have a work party Saturday, and if it stays dry, we will be able to run a full circuit by the end of the day:D

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P1010459a.jpg

Richard
 

Pencarrow

Western Thunderer
Hi Richard, looks like you're on the home straight (or curve) now. Speaking of which, I'm not convinced you can still call this fantastic effort a pipedream - looks very real to me!
 

Dikitriki

Flying Squad
Hi Chris,

You're right of course, but there's still an awful long way to go, particularly in terms of blending it in with the garden. I was looking yesterday when we started....and it is a 'we'. Mid-June last year; that's under 16 months from first sod to first circuit. Bloody good going I reckon.

I've now completed the one-half of the crossover that is needed to complete the outer circuit (plus the gap in the above post). It's 3 1/2 feet long, and my PW bench has taken over the dining room table. I do get the odd reminder from time-to-time that I'm not supposed to use it for my trains.....

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P1010461a.jpg

Richard
 

Yorkshire Dave

Western Thunderer
Is the Vodka on the left to keep you going.... :)

I noticed you used dining table - certainly a bit larger than my kitchen table. Banqueting table next?

As part of the blending in to garden will you eventually be ballasting the track?
 

Dikitriki

Flying Squad
Yahoo:) Yippee:)

We have a full circuit:D

More to the point, I have tested an Aster loco through the points and it sailed through faultlessly. I am now very confident in the Dikitriki G1 track standard.

To mark the occasion this Scale 1/32 loco appeared with the safety valve blowing off....

P1010463a.jpg

Courtesy of Kathy, Steve's better half. Thank you.

Richard
 

Dikitriki

Flying Squad
Hi,

The sun has come out briefly, so I was able to take some pics of yesterday's progress.

Firstly the first point of the crossover was laid, filling the gap in this area. The gap on the inside circuit is now the only gap to be filled to give us two continuous runs.

P1010465a.jpg

P1010466a.jpg

and this gives an idea of the flow through the pointwork:

P1010468a.jpg

We also completed the trackwork across the 'viaduct' which has a horrible air of permanence. I still have to trim the inside of the boards. I love the long gentle curve, something that you can only really get outside in this scale.

P1010467a.jpg

P1010469a.jpg

We also soldered some droppers for the bus and started to bridge the rail panel gaps, so DCC running may even happen this year. Anyway, we are open for visitors, so PM me if you are interested.

Cheers,

Richard
 
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