Started building my Welsh slate quarry garden line

[climaxpwr]

Started preparing the right of way for my 2' Welsh slate quarry hauling railway.  There will absolutly no power fed to the track, main power will be a Roundhouse Katie in blue, manual control as the line will be built at chest height in treated wood planter boxes.  Formal loco naming will be held once the locomotive is recieved.  She is on hold at the local steam loco supplier till my Marklin HO layout sells to pay the remaining bill.  Track for now is predominatly old metal Mamod track but will be gradualy replaced with Peco SM32 track and points.  Actual track laying will commence as the weather permits, been a very mild winter so far here in Erie, PA so lots of stuff has gotten done in the garden, even though its mid December.  I will get some in progress photos next time its not raining.    Cheers   Mike

[kimbrit]

this should be an interesring one, pics please when you get going.

Kim

[John Busby]

Hi climaxpwr

You may find this link use full

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/16mmngm

If the Mamod track Is not knackered why would you want to replace it??

The only problem is the points as the point lever will get in the way it has similarities to jubilee track as used on some quarries lines.

Pictures of progress would be most interesting

regards John

[climaxpwr]

The only reason to replace it would be the fact its hard to find second hand here in the state or in the UK for that matter.  Brand new its quite expensive to purchase.   There will only be a couple of points.  The biggest issue with using it is that it needs a solid roadbead underneath it, like a treated 1x3 plank of wood.  The track as you know is made totaly from brittle diecast zinc or something.  I like the looks and the very light rail profile.  If we move to the home I may inherit from my late grand mother, I plan to build an elevated table, kind of like a big plant box, out of treated lumber, with about 4-5 inches of dirt inside so I can have a true garden railway, just at a bit above waist height for easy live steaming.   Then I can support the 1x3 underbed for the track right from the wood bottom of the layout and build the dirt up to the level of the wood.  With it all being presure treated wood it will last a long time.   The other possible track I might use is the treated wood ties and flat bottom rail from Brandbright in the UK.  I would like the smell of the treated ties, adds to the reality of the railway.  Thats the romance of a 16mm narrow gauge line, its a real railway, not just a model.  Right now its mainly in the aquiring stage, working up the funds for the steamer and more track, and slate wagons.   I will get some pics of the current garden site, which will be temporary as its to low and gets invaded by my golden retrievers on occasion.    Cheers  Mike

[Anonymous]

Mike this soumnds all very interesting where do you hang out?

Did you know Jigstones have a welsh slate patterned set of moulds for making your own concrete blocks 70 mm X 35 mm X 17 mm plus a lot of others?

Rgds Ian

[climaxpwr]

I read out about something similar in Tag Gortons book that I have.  I also like some of the buildings put out by Welshpool Pottery over in the UK.  It looks like I am going to go with a Accucraft Edrig in green, and it will get a coal fired boiler coversion from DJB in the uk, it costs as much as two more Edrigs, but is the least expensive way to get into coal firing.  The railway will be quite simple in design and construction for the next couple of  years as I aquire the loco and coal boiler as well as some slate wagons and a guards van.  I do need to get some more mamod 32mm curves as I dont have enough for a complete loop yet.  As well as some straight track.  The current wait for the coal boiler is mid 2007, which is fine as I need to save up a bit more for the coal conversion.  Just have to find an Edrig now, the ones in the UK will run me around $200 more than one state side, but havent had much luck finding one yet.  I have one found in the uk for 374 pounds plus shipping.  I have the money right here, just need the place to send it.     Cheers   Mike

[climaxpwr]

My new Accucraft Edrig should be here tomorrow or the first of next week. I cant wait to steam him up!  I started mouting my diecast Mamod track to treated planks of wood, still trying to figure out how to do the curves easliy with the minimal amount of wood used.  I will get some pics uploaded once Edrig arrives.  Ya need a swamp buggy in my back yard right now, the whole county is under flood warnings here in Erie, PA.  Been raining heavily all afternoon and still is right now. My yard has standing water in almost every area right now.     Cheers  Mike