A simple Gauge 1 garden line
- Thread starter Steve Cook
- Start date
Steve Cook
Flying Squad
iploffy said:
Ta for the laugh out loud moment
Steve Cook
Flying Squad
CME & Bottlewasher said:Really great work mate - simple yet effective (I thought Down Ampney was until we started building it).
Ta, I've lost track of where you got up to, I'll pop over for a look-see...
Love the 63xx too
CME :wave:
Aye, just wish it were mine
Everytime I look at Simon's, can't help but want one of my own......Steve
Simon
Flying Squad
It's maturing really nicely Steve, shocking to think that it is now a whole year since our running session in your garden 
I bought a small conifer and another ground covering alpine plant for my line today on a family trip to the garden centre (they were out of stock of rooting compound for cuttings). I haven't planted them yet as I can't decide on best position. I did manage to do a lot of grass cutting and clearing around the new steel track base though, this is because Dave the welder is due back this coming thursday and we will hopefully get the next long curved section of steel base in place, together with welding in a bridge over the stream and hopefully the new lift out bridge section for the path.
Not being too hopeful then :
I bought a small conifer and another ground covering alpine plant for my line today on a family trip to the garden centre (they were out of stock of rooting compound for cuttings). I haven't planted them yet as I can't decide on best position. I did manage to do a lot of grass cutting and clearing around the new steel track base though, this is because Dave the welder is due back this coming thursday and we will hopefully get the next long curved section of steel base in place, together with welding in a bridge over the stream and hopefully the new lift out bridge section for the path.
Not being too hopeful then :
Steve Cook
Flying Squad
This threads in a bit of a mess at the moment with missing photos etc - it didn't survive the software move and the number of photos in some posts exceeds what is currently allowed. Nevermind, you'll have to do with an update instead
I've not been hugely proactive on the line for a year or so, I got some plants in last year and did some watering, thats about it
In fact, I think I only ran a couple of times on it after soldering a couple of the failed joints, I need to try harder this year!
Simon C stayed over this weekend on his way to the 16mm AGM show at Peterborough, we had a good show and with motivation running a bit higher, got out into the garden this morning. The ballast method I used has turned out to be not very durable, the quick drying concrete not surviving the onslaught from the last two winters, the birds and the neighbourhood felines.
The Lonicera on the other hand has had a whale of a time, finally shooting past the railhead and bushing out properly
As usual, I left the extra growth until it met over the track, thats my signal to get cutting! Simons travelling hut makes an appearance too
Have another shot, courtesy of the man himself
A quick run with the Pannier tank showed that the soldered joints on both ends of one section had failed, not the best place to get stuck
I've not been hugely proactive on the line for a year or so, I got some plants in last year and did some watering, thats about it
In fact, I think I only ran a couple of times on it after soldering a couple of the failed joints, I need to try harder this year!Simon C stayed over this weekend on his way to the 16mm AGM show at Peterborough, we had a good show and with motivation running a bit higher, got out into the garden this morning. The ballast method I used has turned out to be not very durable, the quick drying concrete not surviving the onslaught from the last two winters, the birds and the neighbourhood felines.
The Lonicera on the other hand has had a whale of a time, finally shooting past the railhead and bushing out properly
As usual, I left the extra growth until it met over the track, thats my signal to get cutting! Simons travelling hut makes an appearance too
Have another shot, courtesy of the man himself
A quick run with the Pannier tank showed that the soldered joints on both ends of one section had failed, not the best place to get stuck
Steve Cook
Flying Squad
Some ugly track gang bloke gets the soldering iron out to sort the feed problem out
Then the wagons came out for a spot of track testing
The Lonicera got a good haircut with the shears, some of the cuttings going back down with Simon.
After a bit more playing with the wagons, the Autocoach came out of its box, and promply fell off the rail Luckily it stayed on the track bed. The problem was that the track had lifted in places, trapping bits of ballast underneath. The finer flanges of the new wheels couldn't cope with the transitions that occurred mainly around the track joints (there is no springing on the axles of the bogies, only the bogie is sprung to the body). Given that the ballast in such a naff state anyway, it was no hardship to start stripping it all off. All of the problem areas have had the ballast removed and a couple of track pins inserted to get the rails flat again. A bit more testing and we got mostly reliable running, there is still some fettling to be done but thats what the rest of summer is for
Last job of the day was to trim up some of the plants at the station end of the line to represent trees - it appears that some of the Lonicera at this end feels the need to have a good sprout upwards, seems a shame not to make the most of that.
I'm looking forward to seeing how the growing goes this spring, the ballast rework needs to be done (after the Shepshed show) and I want to get rid of the garden storage box - its currently hiding the best bit of the line and I want to put a bench there so I can sit and watch trains run.
I'll also have a better go at keeping the thread updated....
Then the wagons came out for a spot of track testing
The Lonicera got a good haircut with the shears, some of the cuttings going back down with Simon.
After a bit more playing with the wagons, the Autocoach came out of its box, and promply fell off the rail
Luckily it stayed on the track bed. The problem was that the track had lifted in places, trapping bits of ballast underneath. The finer flanges of the new wheels couldn't cope with the transitions that occurred mainly around the track joints (there is no springing on the axles of the bogies, only the bogie is sprung to the body). Given that the ballast in such a naff state anyway, it was no hardship to start stripping it all off. All of the problem areas have had the ballast removed and a couple of track pins inserted to get the rails flat again. A bit more testing and we got mostly reliable running, there is still some fettling to be done but thats what the rest of summer is for Last job of the day was to trim up some of the plants at the station end of the line to represent trees - it appears that some of the Lonicera at this end feels the need to have a good sprout upwards, seems a shame not to make the most of that.
I'm looking forward to seeing how the growing goes this spring, the ballast rework needs to be done (after the Shepshed show) and I want to get rid of the garden storage box - its currently hiding the best bit of the line and I want to put a bench there so I can sit and watch trains run.
I'll also have a better go at keeping the thread updated....
lancer1027
Western Thunderer
Hi Steve,
Nice pics. The Auto coach looks SUPERB. Dont suppose you've got any Hydraulics
. Already got me coat
Rob
Nice pics
. The Auto coach looks SUPERB. Dont suppose you've got any Hydraulics. Already got me coatRob
Steve Cook
Flying Squad
Cheers RobHi Steve,
Nice pics
Rob
And yes I have, they're just not built yet
Think it'll be a GWR branchline for a while to come yet..
Rob Pulham
Western Thunderer
Looking good Steve shame about the problems but it looks like nothing insurmountable.
My good lady has been gardening and working out what we could do for a line in the garden - all positive signs.
shame about the problems but it looks like nothing insurmountable.My good lady has been gardening and working out what we could do for a line in the garden - all positive signs.
Steve Cook
Flying Squad
Looking good Steve
Bit of a pain, but it was an experiment - it just didn't work out as hoped. Like you say, nothing insurmountable, justa bit time consuming to sort out.
Fantastic news
I need to mooch round the forum and catch up on what the other 'gardenists' are up to....
Steve Cook
Flying Squad
Nothing compared to what you've just gone through Ian, paltry problems for me
Autocoach is going into maroon I'm afraid, just how I like 'em
The debate I've had with Simon today is whether I should just paint and glaze the thing, or correct the issues with the toplights. Its 50/50 - when you're up close the toplights are offensive, when its running down the garden you don't care Seeing as it spends its time either in a box or on the line, I'm drifting more towards a bit of paint...
28ten
Guv'nor
Fix 'emNothing compared to what you've just gone through Ian, paltry problems for me
Autocoach is going into maroon I'm afraid, just how I like 'em
I was looking at one running today and it would make quite a difference. I was trying to convince the owner as well.....
Steve Cook
Flying Squad
How did you get onFix 'em
Its back in the box now while I try and focus on Boomers Wood - its getting hard fighting distractions
Steve Cook
Flying Squad
Thanks Mike
Can't beat a model in the sunshine, I'm waiting to see what the Guv comes up with Its a good size, but still feels tiny against Gauge 3The photo with the hedge-trimming taking place certainly gives a good idea of the size of Gauge 1. Also that a layout doesn't have to be complicated to be fun!!
I'm quite sure what I'm trying to do isn't everyones cup of tea, but I'm enjoying it and its better than not having a line at all. Just wish there were more hours in the day to get it all done...Steve
28ten
Guv'nor
The problem is that if the toplights are replaced, we might as well do the brake gear, and if the brake gear gets done then there is the auto gear....... I dont know how accurate the bodyshell is and if it warrants the cost of the work, but thats not my call.How did you get on
Its back in the box now while I try and focus on Boomers Wood - its getting hard fighting distractions
Steve Cook
Flying Squad
I think a large amount depends on the intended use of the thing and where one draws the line. Not sure how good its dimensional accuracy is, and I can't deny that better brake gear and autogear would improve the model - especially up close and in photos. But out in the garden it looks pretty good, the sunlight reflecting off the surfaces and its general shape and likeness all contribute to a nice model, marred only by the toplights. I couldn't base an opinion on the cost of the rework either, that is very much down to an individuals perception.
Must admit that glazing the toplights with them in a better position would be far easier
I've just got the box down and had a look. It needs the toplights to be a replacement set of etches, the current versions are square cornered on the inside and I don't fancy my chances of getting 78 curves right. I'm struggling to think of an easier way...
Steve Cook
Flying Squad
One of the reasons for having no points on the line is that it doesn't matter what track standard anything has, as long as the flanges aren't massive and it'll run on 45mm gauge track. Its been a long time coming, but the line has finally seen some live steam action
I bought an Accucraft Ragleth a few weeks ago - I'd been putting off getting an engine for ages, but with an iminent price rise coming and a visit to the 16mm AGM with Simon, my resolve disappeared and a shiny new toy arrived.
The first steam up was conducted with the engine mounted on a couple of blocks of wood atop an old baking tray
The rotating parts were oiled with the recommended 3 in1, the lubricator filled with steam oil, the boiler filled with filtered rain water and then the gas tank was brimmed. The gas was turned on and when the pulsing had stopped, the fire was lit
After a while, the boiler starts to emit the excess water as it heats up
And when steam issues from teh same valve, it can be closed and the engine starts to raise pressure. A few minutes later and its possible to get steam and motion, hurrah
After few more minutes of running in both directions to get the cylinders warmed through, she was dumped on the line.
At this point in time there was then lots of running up and down the garden Open the regulator, sprint to the other end and watch her trundle down, reverse the direction and repeat until the gas runs out..about 35 minutes of fitness then After about 20 minutes or so she started to settle down and I was able to crank the burner down until it was barely a whisper, keeping steam around 30 psi or so and quite happy running at a sedate pace up and down the line. I can also confess to grinning like an absolute idiot through the whole process All that took place a couple of weeks ago whilst the sun shone for a couple of hours on the Sunday - Boomers Wood has taken up the intervening weekend, so it was nice to see the sun out again today and Ragleth got a second running in turn.
She did well today, more slow running meant I squeezed about 40 minutes out of the gas tank, there didn't seem a lot of water left towards the end... Still, all seems OK, so she spent 10 minutes in the sun cooling down before the lubricator was drained and the overflow valve and regulator cracked open to prevent any seizing as all returns to room temp.
I bought an Accucraft Ragleth a few weeks ago - I'd been putting off getting an engine for ages, but with an iminent price rise coming and a visit to the 16mm AGM with Simon, my resolve disappeared and a shiny new toy arrived.
The first steam up was conducted with the engine mounted on a couple of blocks of wood atop an old baking tray
The rotating parts were oiled with the recommended 3 in1, the lubricator filled with steam oil, the boiler filled with filtered rain water and then the gas tank was brimmed. The gas was turned on and when the pulsing had stopped, the fire was lit
After a while, the boiler starts to emit the excess water as it heats up
And when steam issues from teh same valve, it can be closed and the engine starts to raise pressure. A few minutes later and its possible to get steam and motion, hurrah
After few more minutes of running in both directions to get the cylinders warmed through, she was dumped on the line.
At this point in time there was then lots of running up and down the garden
Open the regulator, sprint to the other end and watch her trundle down, reverse the direction and repeat until the gas runs out..about 35 minutes of fitness then After about 20 minutes or so she started to settle down and I was able to crank the burner down until it was barely a whisper, keeping steam around 30 psi or so and quite happy running at a sedate pace up and down the line. I can also confess to grinning like an absolute idiot through the whole process All that took place a couple of weeks ago whilst the sun shone for a couple of hours on the Sunday - Boomers Wood has taken up the intervening weekend, so it was nice to see the sun out again today and Ragleth got a second running in turn.She did well today, more slow running meant I squeezed about 40 minutes out of the gas tank, there didn't seem a lot of water left towards the end... Still, all seems OK, so she spent 10 minutes in the sun cooling down before the lubricator was drained and the overflow valve and regulator cracked open to prevent any seizing as all returns to room temp.