Viaduct - Seemed like a good idea at the time

[ge_rik]

At last getting to the finishing stages of my viaduct ...... only around 1500 more individual balsa blocks to go!


I wanted something lightweight which I could move in and out of the way to access the patio area. Opted for an exterior ply frame, covered in balsa wood blocks. I think I`ve applied somewhere in the region of 2200 individually cut and shaped blocks so far, and have got only around 1500 more to go inside and underneath the arches.


The blocks will then be grouted and the whole thing sealed with wet rot hardener, a resinous product which turns soft wood rock hard. It`ll then be painted to resemble the local sandstone. Already done a trial run on the stone embankments for my SM32 mine feeder railway:

I`m more concerned about the plywood than the balsa, so will bring it inside during the winter months and then only deploy it during running sessions.

Would be interested in any advice as to how to protect the plywood from the elements.

Rik

 

[PhilP]

Now there is a labour of love! Hats off to you!

I would have thought the wetrot sealer would be pretty good protection?? Perhaps something like Cuprinol clear first, and try to keep the bottoms slightly raised?

 

[gregh]

That's a fantastic piece of work. Looks great and certainly will add to the line's picturesque setting.

But maybe you need to get back on your medication Anyone attempting this must have a problem.

 

[ge_rik]

But maybe you need to get back on your medication Anyone attempting this must have a problem.

I didn't when I started .....

Rik

 

[dunnyrail]

Superb job created with much love and patience.

Ply and Wet never seam to match in my view. Even Marine Ply appears to be pretty poor in the Garden Railway environment. Believe me have seen the results on both with long term exposure.

However a little tip that may help. Get some off cuts of Filcris Plastic Decking or even Plastic Soffit Material. Cut a piece just narrower than the base of what is to be on the Ground. Screw it to that base, you have now to a limited degree created an interface that is pretty well indestructable between your Wood Construction and the Ground.

Hope this helps.
JonD

 

[ge_rik]

Superb job created with much love and patience.

Ply and Wet never seam to match in my view. Even Marine Ply appears to be pretty poor in the Garden Railway environment. Believe me have seen the results on both with long term exposure.

However a little tip that may help. Get some off cuts of Filcris Plastic Decking or even Plastic Soffit Material. Cut a piece just narrower than the base of what is to be on the Ground. Screw it to that base, you have now to a limited degree created an interface that is pretty well indestructable between your Wood Construction and the Ground.

Hope this helps.
JonD

Thanks Jon
Sounds like a good plan. Like you, my experiences with so-called 'exterior' ply have not been good, so far.

Rik

 

[Madman]

That's an amazing piece of work !!

 

[playmofire]

Amazing work and dedication, and a superb result!

 

[beavercreek]

Absolutely stunning.....a real credit to you.
Are you going to soak it in something like cuprinol 5 star before varnishing or PVA coating to keep all that hard work looking good for years to come?

 

[trammayo]

I wanted something lightweight which I could move in and out of the way to access the patio area. Opted for an exterior ply frame, covered in balsa wood blocks. I think I've applied somewhere in the region of 2200 individually cut and shaped blocks so far, and have got only around 1500 more to go inside and underneath the arches.

OK Bud (sorry couldn't resist that )

I would say that it is sheer dedication and determination. It looks superb. And the rot hardener is a great idea - it really works!

 

[ge_rik]

Absolutely stunning.....a real credit to you.
Are you going to soak it in something like cuprinol 5 star before varnishing or PVA coating to keep all that hard work looking good for years to come?

I did consider that, but I tried Cuprinol on another plywood project and that delaminated after a couple of years. I wondered if the Cuprinol contributed to the delamination by attacking the glue ???

Rik

 

[beavercreek]

I did consider that, but I tried Cuprinol on another plywood project and that delaminated after a couple of years. I wondered if the Cuprinol contributed to the delamination by attacking the glue ???

Rik

Re the delamination
I must admit when I suggested the Cuprinal 5 star it was because I have used it on all of my wooden buildings, which are built on a wooden frame principal with red cedar wooden planks, strips or split logs attached to build the outside walls.
If the marine-ply glue is water based (waterproof PVA probably) it should be okay but if they have used a sprit based glue then the cuprinol may well attack it slightly.

 

[Ian_S]

Thought about coating the timber in fibreglass resin? - That's quite simple to do and is impervious to moisture

 

[ge_rik]

Thought about coating the timber in fibreglass resin? - That's quite simple to do and is impervious to moisture

The Wet Rot Hardener seems quite resin-like. What I like about it is that it soaks into the balsa and the underlying plywood before hardening. Might try coating the inside surfaces of the viaduct with something, though.

Rik

 

[3Valve]

Want one

 

[ge_rik]

Well, it`s taken a while, but I`ve just finished painting the last (of around 3500) sandstone (balsa) block, so thought I`d take a few pictures of it in situ.






There is still work to be done. The ends of the parapets need to be finished off with maybe some pillars and it looks a bit stark at the moment, so I`ll tone everything down with a mucky colour wash and then dry-brush on some weathering. A lot of the sandstone around here is covered in lichen and algae, so I`ll try simulating that. She`ll then get a couple of generous coats of matt varnish.

Phew!!!!

Rik

 

[PhilP]

Serious labour of love there Rik!

Love the 'chiselled block' effect on the faces..

 

[ge_rik]

BTW - I've blogged wot I dun here - http://riksrailway.blogspot.com/2015/09/how-i-constructed-viaduct.html

Rik

 

[gregh]

Great Blog. It really must take a lot of time to get all the photos as you are doing the work.
Oh, and the viaduct is fantastic too.

 

[ge_rik]

Great Blog. It really must take a lot of time to get all the photos as you are doing the work.

I'm just in the habit of taking snaps as I go. Sometimes though, when I come to write up, I realise I've been concentrating so hard on constructing a particular bit that I;ve forgotten to take photos. There's a bit in the viaduct built where this has happened....

Rik