Eastsidepilot
Western Thunderer
I assume the person in this shot is clearing his hallway ready for the railway to arrive
Breaking Ground - Finescale - of a sort
- Thread starter Richard Insole
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- peter insole
Yorkshire Dave
Western Thunderer
Peter Insole
Western Thunderer
Yes, she is Col! 
Pete.
Pete.
Or just carry on through the house opposite as the door is already open.A nice curve to the right and then... wheeeeeeeee
There is a precedent.
The original Isle of Wight Ryde tramway went through a house..
Peter Insole
Western Thunderer
I'll let you into a secret ovener, the building in question is the current loco, carriage and wagon works, and already so full of .... (paraphernalia) - that the lady in view is actually clearing the way in preparation for chucking it (and me) out on the street/downward slope!!
Confused? As well you might be, for much like the Isle of Wight it would seem, we do things somewhat differently here in Suffolk!
Pete.
Confused? As well you might be, for much like the Isle of Wight it would seem, we do things somewhat differently here in Suffolk!
Pete.
Peter Insole
Western Thunderer
Although Mr. O is still keen to press on, I was concerned about the potential for misalignment on a gradient when it comes to joining the steel and aluminium rail sections.
Yesterdays weather was already a bit on the warm side, but with the forecasters threatening even higher temperatures for the coming week I determined to keep going regardless - with the aim of getting the final, awkwardly inclined and curved link completed!
I was absolutely exhausted by the evening...
but wahoo! We are all the way through!
Today, I am not only still very tired by the effort, I have also just returned from my annual Diabetes eye check. The otherwise familiar side effects of the dilation drops seem to be a bit more severe than usual, and I am having some difficulty typing this report - so I will just post the images... and explain more later:
Pete.
Yesterdays weather was already a bit on the warm side, but with the forecasters threatening even higher temperatures for the coming week I determined to keep going regardless - with the aim of getting the final, awkwardly inclined and curved link completed!
I was absolutely exhausted by the evening...
but wahoo! We are all the way through!
Today, I am not only still very tired by the effort, I have also just returned from my annual Diabetes eye check. The otherwise familiar side effects of the dilation drops seem to be a bit more severe than usual, and I am having some difficulty typing this report - so I will just post the images... and explain more later:
Pete.
Peter Insole
Western Thunderer
Hands up all those who thought I was telling porkies!
Even while levelling work was continuing on the tramway, I received an urgent order from Mrs. I., for a wagon. I dispatched the loco and a basket load down the line, with the good lady following on foot.
The train was subsequently returned under proper command:
The funny thing is; it looks for all the world as if the wagon was specially designed for carrying these collapsible containers!
Back to the subject of the (now very) permanent way; as had been mentioned previously, (post #640) in my haste I was not nearly careful enough to ensure that the surface of the concrete and exposed aggregates was sufficiently below the top of the rail. There were rather too many spots that were catching the wheel tyres, but the best method for lowering eluded me for a while. I eventually settled on trying out a "bush hammer" bit set in Mr. O's appropriate drill.
Starting as early in the mornings as is reasonable to avoid annoying the neighbours, (and the worst daytime temperatures of the heatwave) the tool did an absolutely wonderful job - at the garden end anyway! Unfortunately, the section that had been battered by a deluge immediately after laying proved to have been compromised, and sadly the hammer broke rather more of the surface away than I would have liked.
I found that chipping away with a cold chisel was better, but too much damage had already been done, and which in places is so visually distressing to my eye that I feel I will have to mix a fine slurry to repair it!
The work may have been a bit frustrating, but at least trains can now reach right to the end of the line without rattling too much!
There was one troublesome, vertically misaligned rail joint that was a tad uncomfortable to ride across, but a quick whizz with an angle grinder this morning sorted that out:
Completing the gate and path linking section, along with the aforementioned tidying jobs can wait until we get some slightly more sensible weather!
In the mean time, I am delighted to declare the entire out and back length of the main line is now available for full services... albeit with a strongly advised speed restriction remaining in place at the transition alongside the goods shed!
Pete.
Even while levelling work was continuing on the tramway, I received an urgent order from Mrs. I., for a wagon. I dispatched the loco and a basket load down the line, with the good lady following on foot.
The train was subsequently returned under proper command:
The funny thing is; it looks for all the world as if the wagon was specially designed for carrying these collapsible containers!
Back to the subject of the (now very) permanent way; as had been mentioned previously, (post #640) in my haste I was not nearly careful enough to ensure that the surface of the concrete and exposed aggregates was sufficiently below the top of the rail. There were rather too many spots that were catching the wheel tyres, but the best method for lowering eluded me for a while. I eventually settled on trying out a "bush hammer" bit set in Mr. O's appropriate drill.
Starting as early in the mornings as is reasonable to avoid annoying the neighbours, (and the worst daytime temperatures of the heatwave) the tool did an absolutely wonderful job - at the garden end anyway! Unfortunately, the section that had been battered by a deluge immediately after laying proved to have been compromised, and sadly the hammer broke rather more of the surface away than I would have liked.
I found that chipping away with a cold chisel was better, but too much damage had already been done, and which in places is so visually distressing to my eye that I feel I will have to mix a fine slurry to repair it!
The work may have been a bit frustrating, but at least trains can now reach right to the end of the line without rattling too much!
There was one troublesome, vertically misaligned rail joint that was a tad uncomfortable to ride across, but a quick whizz with an angle grinder this morning sorted that out:
Completing the gate and path linking section, along with the aforementioned tidying jobs can wait until we get some slightly more sensible weather!
In the mean time, I am delighted to declare the entire out and back length of the main line is now available for full services... albeit with a strongly advised speed restriction remaining in place at the transition alongside the goods shed!
Pete.
Peter Insole
Western Thunderer
Thank you so much to everyone for all your kind comments and "likes". I am relieved to report that the tramway extension is already proving to be a massive hit with drivers and passengers alike, let alone casual onlookers! A good many passers-by, local residents and their visitors that might not have previously shown any inclination of speaking to me have been stopping and declaring their utter delight, especially when there is a train out on the line!
The need of a decent, and perhaps marginally more comfortable, two seater bogie carriage is becoming ever more pressing.
Although it is not original, as the young Professor Zach Bond (of the Romsey Horticultural Tramway fame) had successfully built his own version of a Bassett-Lowke, 1924 Wembley Exhibition coach, scaled down from 9 1/2 inch to 5 inch gauge, I particularly fancy the style of the design. It is not as if I don't have enough to be getting on with, but a set of eight new wheels have now been acquired for just such a vital project!
Meanwhile, services on the railway were called for yesterday... yet again for our large, family group!
This time, my wife surpassed herself by organising not only a barbeque and paddling pool entertainment, but a teddy bear trail as well.
Although I don't wish get involved in any debate here, I do tend to agree with her that Lord Braybrooke, and his great friend David Curwen created the Audley End Railway primarily for their own pleasure, but with a very healthy degree of philanthropy at it's heart. It was not just local for us, but when our sons where young we regularly visited it... thoroughly recommended it and frequently brought along other friends and their families. It was also clearly a favourite meeting and relaxing place for many, many people over the years. Undoubtedly, all thoroughly appreciated the free use of the generous spaces provided, and it was easy to succumb to "pester power" for notably affordable train fares. Mrs. I. remains unequivocally unforgiving of the great man's daughter, who seemed to regard her inheritance purely as a commercial opportunity. While I do accept that such an approach is likely to be viewed as the only way of ensuring the survival of the legacy, it has nonetheless lost much of it's appeal to us - and indeed the next generation - not least because of the sheer cost of initial entry for a family group, let alone other entertainments, refreshments, souvenirs and a train ride!
It is only now evident to me that from the moment I started out on our own (miniscule by comparison with the A.E.R!) grand project, my dear lady has been eagerly looking forward to the opportunity for re-living treasured memories!
Thus on Saturday morning she set to work:
(Apparently Moomins adore rolling in Lavender?!)
While bears, lions and spotty dogs can be rather blatant...
some other furry creatures prefer to be sneaky - and keep a wary eye on the food preparation area!
The occasional clown even seems to be determined to reach high places!
Unfortunately, the 30 plus degree heat of the day, coupled with the thoughtful provision of a pool and an armoury of high powered water pistols precludes the publication of appropriate pictures of the younger members of the party enjoying themselves...
A couple of shots of a pair of grownups doing the full tour will have to do instead!
If success of the event can be measured by the level of exhaustion felt by every participant at the end of the day...?
After the joyous juvenile participants were dried off, reunited with some of their attire and sent home, the clear up only got as far as locking away the machinery... so all the various small creatures and other characters were left to their own devices overnight...
This is what we found in the morning:
Is this a case of murder most foul...
or simply one poor fella that had a touch too much of the nectar?!
Pete.
The need of a decent, and perhaps marginally more comfortable, two seater bogie carriage is becoming ever more pressing.
Although it is not original, as the young Professor Zach Bond (of the Romsey Horticultural Tramway fame) had successfully built his own version of a Bassett-Lowke, 1924 Wembley Exhibition coach, scaled down from 9 1/2 inch to 5 inch gauge, I particularly fancy the style of the design. It is not as if I don't have enough to be getting on with, but a set of eight new wheels have now been acquired for just such a vital project!
Meanwhile, services on the railway were called for yesterday... yet again for our large, family group!
This time, my wife surpassed herself by organising not only a barbeque and paddling pool entertainment, but a teddy bear trail as well.
Although I don't wish get involved in any debate here, I do tend to agree with her that Lord Braybrooke, and his great friend David Curwen created the Audley End Railway primarily for their own pleasure, but with a very healthy degree of philanthropy at it's heart. It was not just local for us, but when our sons where young we regularly visited it... thoroughly recommended it and frequently brought along other friends and their families. It was also clearly a favourite meeting and relaxing place for many, many people over the years. Undoubtedly, all thoroughly appreciated the free use of the generous spaces provided, and it was easy to succumb to "pester power" for notably affordable train fares. Mrs. I. remains unequivocally unforgiving of the great man's daughter, who seemed to regard her inheritance purely as a commercial opportunity. While I do accept that such an approach is likely to be viewed as the only way of ensuring the survival of the legacy, it has nonetheless lost much of it's appeal to us - and indeed the next generation - not least because of the sheer cost of initial entry for a family group, let alone other entertainments, refreshments, souvenirs and a train ride!
It is only now evident to me that from the moment I started out on our own (miniscule by comparison with the A.E.R!) grand project, my dear lady has been eagerly looking forward to the opportunity for re-living treasured memories!
Thus on Saturday morning she set to work:
(Apparently Moomins adore rolling in Lavender?!)
While bears, lions and spotty dogs can be rather blatant...
some other furry creatures prefer to be sneaky - and keep a wary eye on the food preparation area!
The occasional clown even seems to be determined to reach high places!
Unfortunately, the 30 plus degree heat of the day, coupled with the thoughtful provision of a pool and an armoury of high powered water pistols precludes the publication of appropriate pictures of the younger members of the party enjoying themselves...
A couple of shots of a pair of grownups doing the full tour will have to do instead!
If success of the event can be measured by the level of exhaustion felt by every participant at the end of the day...?
After the joyous juvenile participants were dried off, reunited with some of their attire and sent home, the clear up only got as far as locking away the machinery... so all the various small creatures and other characters were left to their own devices overnight...
This is what we found in the morning:
Is this a case of murder most foul...
or simply one poor fella that had a touch too much of the nectar?!
Pete.
Looks like a case for Agatha Christie or Inspector Clouseau. Never clown around on the railway.
Eastsidepilot
Western Thunderer
Can't blame it on the third rail !.......noooooo! Pete you've done enough !
Heacham
Active Member
I love your railway and your approach to building it as a fun project for the family, now the track is finished you can have a rest enjoying it. There is something about the terraced houses that reminds me of the area around Garrets Leiston with the red brick and yellow detailing.
all the best
Simon
Peter Insole
Western Thunderer
Thank you so much to all! I am afraid that while the weekend event was something of a grand opening - without the specific ceremony, (!) I can't quite rest yet as there is still much work to do!
High priority on the list is at least one more completely daft, but hopefully fun project that we have so far managed to keep "secret" from the children!
Pete.
High priority on the list is at least one more completely daft, but hopefully fun project that we have so far managed to keep "secret" from the children!
Pete.
