The Barkley Garden Loop

[zach2thefuture]

Today, I started what will eventually be a small garden loop in my front yard. It's not much, but I don't have much space to work with and I will only be in this house for a year or two. (Such is the joy of military housing)

The front (in line with the grass, on the piece of wood) will be elevated to match the higher rear portion. Right behind the raised stretch there's a row of tulips planted, which should look pretty nice come springtime.

I've never laid down track outside myself before, so this will definitely be a learning experience. Leveling the track without making it "permanent" will be a bit of a project, but we've all got to start somewhere.

This thread will just be to document the evolution of my little garden railway. Feel free to chime in with input, comments, suggestions and anything else!

 

[dunnyrail]

As you say we all gave to start somewhere, a well tried system such as you are doing is to lay your track on bricks if you can get hold of some. Roughly at least one under each rail joint with perhaps another on longer straight sections. You could use sticks to mark out the route now you have track in place, lift the track put bricks in level them as well as you can then relay track. The bricks could be moved a bit if you got things a little out. Good luck with your project.

 

[zach2thefuture]

As you say we all gave to start somewhere, a well tried system such as you are doing is to lay your track on bricks if you can get hold of some. Roughly at least one under each rail joint with perhaps another on longer straight sections. You could use sticks to mark out the route now you have track in place, lift the track put bricks in level them as well as you can then relay track. The bricks could be moved a bit if you got things a little out. Good luck with your project.

Thank you for the good idea! I was considering either bricks or cutting up some pressure treated 2x4s and using them

 

[Northsider]

Welcome to the Forum! Treated timber will work, and have the advantage (for your situation) of not being  too permanent. A covering of roofing felt will keep moisture off; optionally, laying it on a bed of gravel will help water drain away from the underside, too. Twisting and warping can be a problem, but it isn't too difficult to replace a piece if it misbehaves. Good luck!

 

[Paul M]

As suggested, but as this is going to a temporary set up, why not try both methods to see what suits you best? What works well for some, doesn't necessarily mean it works well for all

 

[zach2thefuture]

Well, day one is in the books. I've already learned a lot, hopefully next time I have a day to work on it things go smoother.

I definitely worried too much with making the raised section even with the rear, I spent all day making the raised section super high when it didn't need to be. Once I lower it all down, the run up to and off will be much more manageable...and look better. The track is barely connected (I need a bunch of connectors and screws) but I can get a train to make it about 3/4 of the way around the loop; and that's success for me!

Still a very long way to go, but progress is progress!

 

[Northsider]

It's only when you start laying track that you realise that the piece of ground that you thought was flat has a slope on it! But that elevated section gives the line interest: how about a trestle bridge?

 

[dunnyrail]

Like the dry river cut, good progress for your temporary line.

 

[zach2thefuture]

It's only when you start laying track that you realise that the piece of ground that you thought was flat has a slope on it! But that elevated section gives the line interest: how about a trestle bridge?

Yep, it looked suitable...until it wasn't!

The plan is to build a small trestle bridge at some point, or just "decorate" the raised portion I built to look more bridgey. Unfortunately, I don't want to put too much time and effort and money into an actual bridge, especially since this layout won't be around for too long and then I'll be moving again

 

[zach2thefuture]

The short stent of warm weather has passed; it'll be below freezing for most of the next few weeks, so no progress for the foreseeable future. Sure, I could work outside in the cold on this...or I could save it for nice weather and not be miserable!

Meanwhile, I found a simple, inelegant but mostly functional storage solution for the small collection I have. I'll be adding a fourth carriage and another pair of the small ore cars soon.

Eventually my father will undoubtedly hand down some more, but for now this is definitely enough for the Barkley Garden Loop. (BGL...LGB...huh, interesting how that worked out.)

 

[Paul M]

The plan is to build a small trestle bridge at some point, or just "decorate" the raised portion I built to look more bridgey.

That is a common ruse in Garden Railway life!

 

[dunnyrail]

Yep, it looked suitable...until it wasn't!

The plan is to build a small trestle bridge at some point, or just "decorate" the raised portion I built to look more bridgey. Unfortunately, I don't want to put too much time and effort and money into an actual bridge, especially since this layout won't be around for too long and then I'll be moving again

I build a small trestle many moons ago forma garden line in Luton UK back in 1994 or so, it got moved to another line in the yard when I build a concrete one to replace it so with care you may be able to do the same.

 

[zach2thefuture]

There will be no progress for the foreseeable future

 

[Northsider]

There will be no progress for the foreseeable future View attachment 337160

That seems fair...

 

[Chris Vernell]

There will be no progress for the foreseeable future View attachment 337160

Fire up the rotary!

 

[zach2thefuture]

Fire up the rotary!
View attachment 337161

This time next year I might be!

 

[Alan McLennan]

View attachment 336953
The short stent of warm weather has passed; it'll be below freezing for most of the next few weeks, so no progress for the foreseeable future. Sure, I could work outside in the cold on this...or I could save it for nice weather and not be miserable!

Meanwhile, I found a simple, inelegant but mostly functional storage solution for the small collection I have. I'll be adding a fourth carriage and another pair of the small ore cars soon.

Eventually my father will undoubtedly hand down some more, but for now this is definitely enough for the Barkley Garden Loop. (BGL...LGB...huh, interesting how that worked out.)

Zach, literally just finished putting the same set of shelves together for my Wife, tricky to start with though, nice collection by the way mate.

 

[zach2thefuture]

Zach, literally just finished putting the same set of shelves together for my Wife, tricky to start with though, nice collection by the way mate.

Yeah, they can be a pain in the butt for sure!

 

[zach2thefuture]

The weather is wet and mostly well below freezing for the next month or so, so there hasn't been any work done.

So, in order to keep on task, I put some 9volt powered LED light strips in my passenger cars this morning. They're not great, but I think they look good enough; especially for the cost and effort (or lack there of)

Hopefully come March I can get back to work on things and it won't take much longer to get things leveled and powered up!

 

[PhilP]

They look fine to me, if perhaps, a little bright?
YMMV, of course.

PhilP