The EJ&KLR: Austrian narrow gauge in Cheshire

[playmofire]

Re:The EJ&KLR project

I know exactly how you feel, James, having lost my two closest friends to cancer in the past 13 months. I'm looking to get my Playmobil trains a permanent home outdoors somewhere (round the pond? - maybe a bit limited; in with some shrubs and heathers? - maybe) as a bit of therapy and I'm finding your blog and posts here very useful.

 

[CoggesRailway]

Re:The EJ&KLR project

That is brilliant, photos are ovely. my 2095 wouldn't stand photos that close thanks to a previous owners paintbrush! Your mum is right - it's alive outdoors in a way an indoor railway isn't. And the best bit is you have plenty of room for expansion! Execllenet Photos

 

[playmofire]

Re:The EJ&KLR project

- it's alive outdoors in a way an indoor railway isn't.

That's the great delight of garden railways. I sometimes think that I could reproduce what I'm planning outdoors on a smaller scale indoors but then further thought says that it's then necessary to produce scenery, buildings, backdrops etc., otherwise you just have a baseboard and a load of bare track. But put large scale track outdoors, even just for the day, and you have a railway.

 

[jameshilton]

Re:The EJ&KLR project

Bruce - thank you for the track laying compliment - it's holding up well so far...
Just for you a couple of things...

First up - here is a fantastic resource I've found - you may have seen it yourself - of 1970s/1980s narrow gauge photos from mainly the Steyr and Ybbs: http://www.oostenrijks-smalspoor.com/

Secondly - a few Steyrtalbahn inspired photos...

First we see 298.56 on the afternoon passenger train out in the country...

...then arriving at Molln...

...and passing 798.201, one of the rare Henschel HF110C tank engine conversions.

Later we see 798.201 departing east from Molln...

And later in the day seen passing again, this time 298.56 had arrived first...

 

[jameshilton]

Re:The EJ&KLR project

The most interesting thing is the fact that he has photos of 298.56 with AND without the rear bunker on the Steyr, but you can definitely tell it also had welded tanks, so I'm not sure whether it was a different batch or damage repair! I'm not sure whether to renumber by U to 298.53, which more closely matches the LGB model in details. Long way down the 'to do' list though!

 

[jameshilton]

Re:The EJ&KLR project

Oh dear -it was bound to happen eventually...

Thomas (bought from the Back2bay6 stand at Llanfair this weekend) arrived on the EJ&KLR!
This now gives me a circle of (cheap and nasty) indoor track for 'testing' in Macclesfield though as the set is to live at home - and Thomas only to visit Chester when we go over.

 

[jameshilton]

Re:The EJ&KLR project - Piko railbus arrives

A new arrival - I've got my hands on a second hand Piko railbus from AlpineAndy for a good price, which I picked up this Sunday. Andy is a nice chap, a pleasure to deal with.

The top photo shows it posed next to the (progressing) station building to show scale and size. Despite being a standard gauge model it doesn't look out of place at all with the LGB low roof vans and carriages - about in scale actually. The figures on board don't look undersize, and next to the station it looks fine. It's a long one though - about 50cm, and pleasingly heavy. I've not had a chance to test it yet - heading back over to the EJ&KLR in a fortnight with it.

No plans for detailing or repainting this year - it will be the mainstay of winter operation I expect - with it's 8 pickups (plus 8 when used with the trailer) meaning I hope a tolerance of slightly less clean track! More long term I think I will work out what livery I want, and then once that's decided move on to detailing - and potentially selling the trailer car.

Detailing would involve relocating the standard gauge buffers about 1cm higher on the nose, and adding a central narrow gauge style buffer to each end. I do like the maroon livery though, although I guess navy blue and cream would be more in keeping with my OBB/Austrian theme! We'll see - for now she'll just run and be enjoyed for what she is - a very well executed model, lovely rivet detail, quality paint finish and robust detailing.

For anyone considering it - I'd fully recommend one. When I was searching I was trying desperately for some shots with LGB stock to get a feel for the size - now having one I can say I needn't have worried - but will try and post more photos to help others making a decision in the future.

 

[jameshilton]

Re:The EJ&KLR project - Piko railbus arrives

Spent a pleasant weekend in Chester, so running on the EJ&KLR - as well as some track maintenance, ballast topping up on the embankment and I also have been working on the station.

First up the new railcar did laps whilst I worked on the ballast shoulders - and it's pleasing to note how well the greenery is getting established on the layout here.

More to follow...

 

[jameshilton]

Re:The EJ&KLR project - Piko railbus arrives

So my brother had been out to B&Q a few weeks ago and picked up a decking plank - he has since treated it as well - despite it being 'tanelised' or whatever.

I cut it to size yesterday, dipping the end in sealant. I then dug out a trench along the edge of the station trackwork and did my best to level it, but there is a slight twist in the plank.

Today I cut some roofing felt to size, along with a bit for the station building to sit on. This was glued to the surface using an gooey black outdoor paint I had left over from a few years ago. I then brought the landscaping up to the platform including soil and some gravel at the engine shed end.

 

[jameshilton]

Re:The EJ&KLR project - Piko railbus arrives

So then of course I had to so some running - and with the LGB balcony van conversion finished it seemed fitting to be an EJ&KLR train...

and finally an overview of the layout to show how the plants are getting established now...

Overall a lovely relaxing weekend with the family, with the added bonus of some playing trains.

 

[Gizzy]

Re:The EJ&KLR project - Piko railbus arrives

Looking really great James....

 

[nicebutdim]

Re:The EJ&KLR project - Piko railbus arrives

Coming along really well there, James. If you have some roofing felt left over, cut into squares to cover point motors/controls. It stops water from getting into them and corroding the screws and springs (which later type do suffer with) and keeps the electric point motors clean and dry(er) inside. Plus I think it looks a little better and neater too.

 

[Rhinochugger]

Re:The EJ&KLR project - Piko railbus arrives

despite it being 'tanelised' or whatever.

Tanalith 'C' - copper chrome arsenate. I don't think it's used any more - can't think why :thinking:

You did well to seal the ends; despite the treatmenst being applied either under pressure or via a vacuum process, it is always recommended to seal cut ends. Most moisture in timber is absorbed through the end grain.

I'm actually a mine of useless information

 

[stockers]

Re:The EJ&KLR project

Its now Tanalith E. As you say, the copper, arsenic and chromium one was banned by some Euro nit. bet this E version is not as good.
Agree about end sealing - important.

 

[jameshilton]

Re:The EJ&KLR project

Thanks guys - and yes I suspected the ends were still very prone until sealed - hence dipped and sponged to work in well.

Good tip for the point motor covers - these ones aren't wired up at present but I will consider it as there is plenty left over - even after I do the roof on the station.

 

[Rhinochugger]

Re:The EJ&KLR project

Its now Tanalith E. As you say, the copper, arsenic and chromium one was banned by some Euro nit. bet this E version is not as good.
Agree about end sealing - important.

Yeah, I never used to eat it - but obviously some europeans have strange habits :-

 

[flyingsignalman]

Re:The EJ&KLR project

Nice set of pics. The railway's really looking established now.

 

[jameshilton]

Re:The EJ&KLR project

It's come quite some way hasn't it! Here's a photo story from April, I haven't got a photo from the same angle for the first shot - but it shows on 2nd April the track had arrived and was laid out - so we went from planning and scheming to breaking ground... Then in the months since we've seen some periods of intense but fun activity - with some time for settling in and maturity in between.

2nd April 2011:

24th April 2011

30th April 2011

1st May 2011

15th May 2011

12th June 2011

27th August 2011

9th October 2011

 

[C&S]

Re:The EJ&KLR project

Starting to look really good, James. Once the centre matures a bit so you can't see from one side to the other it'll be even bettrer.

May I make a small suggestion - have you thought of a small row of trees outside the track, so the trains run along a green "cutting" - all helps to make the run look longer and less round-&-round if you can't see the whole oval at a glance.

 

[trammayo]

Re:The EJ&KLR project

Its now Tanalith E. As you say, the copper, arsenic and chromium one was banned by some Euro nit. bet this E version is not as good.
Agree about end sealing - important.

Euro Nit? I can remember doing COSH (Control Of Substances Hazardous to health) assessments and had to withdraw a certain chemical (can't remember the name) from the workplace as it was considered dangerous. On the flip side, it was freely available to the domestic market as a treatment for NITS (head lice) on children!

But, back on topic, your line looks really nice James - I particularly like the second shot in post 163.

As a sealing tip for raw timber ends, on water based treatments, a drop of washing up liquid helps the wood draw in the treatment,