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All change at Blackpool

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  • Member since
    November 2005
  • From: Blackpool, Lancashire, UK
  • 448 posts
All change at Blackpool
Posted by kimbrit on Tuesday, May 1, 2007 7:03 AM

At long last I have my pc back from HP (twice) and it all turns out to be faults in both the mouse and keyboard, new ones supplied and away we go. I have had a major rebuild of the RR and wanted to put a second circuit in with both circuits being served by a common station and double tracked for some of the way. All of the necessary switches were bought, LGB radius 5, and new Aristo track to facilitate the build. I also wanted to raise the RR - yes them there bones are cracking a bit louder these days - but also wanted to keep it as a railway in a garden rather than a garden in a railway, something that I think is difficult when the track is raised. Anyway, work started at the begining of Feb and is more or less there now, here are a few (lot) of pics of the progress.

As was, and has been, for a few years.

New shuttering up and soil from next door, who just happened to be digging foundations.

Starting to take shape, the double track can be seen at the top of this pic and on the incline in the next.

Test loco, love this one.

The track on the right is the new circuit which, at this time, was going to loop around and travel back up the fence line on a gradient to go around the shed to meet up and run with the main line.

And then I started having doubts about it all and when I voiced these doubts Gail told me she had been there well before me! I could now see that I had built my worse nightmare, a garden in a railway. Time for some changes.

Much better - I think! Station with a passing track, 3 spurs in the foreground and 1 curving into the flowebed.

A few shots of the first few runs.

My favourite - night runs.

Well, thanks for looking. Apart from shoveling all of that soil and bringing in all of that gravel it's been quite enjoyable. This set up is now my fourth over the last 20 years or so and, as with all things, there's still plenty to learn. I have had to remove the pick up skates on my USA diesels, they do not like LGB radius 5 frogs, and they still run great without them.

Thanks for looking, cheers, Kim

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 1, 2007 8:28 AM

 Kimbrit

 it looks like you have been very busy up dating the rail road, i just got mine up and running for the summer here in PENNA.   THANKS for sharing your pictures . BEN

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Texas
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Posted by MTCarpenter on Tuesday, May 1, 2007 1:13 PM
Very cool pics!  Thanks for posting them.
"Measurement is the way created things have of accounting for themselves." ~ A.W. Tozer
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  • From: Smoggy L.A.
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Posted by vsmith on Wednesday, May 2, 2007 9:17 AM
Kim, you've been busy, looks good. Good to see another long-timer posting here again.

   Have fun with your trains

  • Member since
    November 2005
  • From: Blackpool, Lancashire, UK
  • 448 posts
Posted by kimbrit on Thursday, May 3, 2007 3:30 AM

Thanks guys. You're right about long timers Vic, where's everyone gone? It's great to see new names on the forum and meet new 'faces' but the content of late has been a little bit slow with very few pics. I'm sure Benny will be posting some soon and your latest creation will be seen, something to do with Doctor Who perhaps, with a boiler and a stack?! Anyway, onwards and upwards as they say, more pics will be coming in from Blackpool as the new plantings and pots take shape.

Cheers,

Kim

  • Member since
    November 2005
  • From: Blackpool, Lancashire, UK
  • 448 posts
Posted by kimbrit on Thursday, May 3, 2007 7:29 AM

Speaking of new pics, here are a few taken this morning. I have added a 3rd track now so moving trains around will be easier and yesterday I built a small harbour in the pond. The stone that forms the quay side is raised with a space of approx 2" underneath for frogs to rest up.

 

 

 

  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: North, San Diego Co., CA
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Posted by ttrigg on Thursday, May 3, 2007 11:40 PM
Kim;

It is easy to see a bunch of hard work involved with your "upgrade".  Thanks for sharing.  I too, appreciate the input from the "senior board members."  Every time you share your knowledge, it improves my skills.

Tom Trigg

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: West Australia
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Posted by John Busby on Wednesday, May 9, 2007 6:03 AM

Hi Kim

Looks like you have well and truly earned your PHD in shovel technology.

Looks realy good

regards John

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  • From: Virginia Beach
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Posted by tangerine-jack on Wednesday, May 9, 2007 6:13 AM

Looking good Kim!  Where did you get the sunshine for the last photos?

Yes, things have been slow around here lately, but in my case I've got so much going on with work and family that I've little time for any hobbies.  I've got about 50ft of new track wating to be put down (maybe the magic track faeries will do it one night whilst I sleep) and a gift card for the local nusery I've yet to use.  Time, that's what I need the most of, anybody got a used TARDIS for sale cheap?

The Dixie D Short Line "Lux Lucet In Tenebris Nihil Igitur Mors Est Ad Nos 2001"

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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, May 9, 2007 5:38 PM
Kim - Great to hear form you again and having pics also! Great work man!
  • Member since
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  • From: Blackpool, Lancashire, UK
  • 448 posts
Posted by kimbrit on Thursday, May 10, 2007 3:37 PM

Thanks for the comments guys, look what's coming next - lit up buildings!!!!! All will be battery driven but the street lamps are going to be 16v ac. Anyway, here's the station building with 5 LED's.....................

Here's the Mikado running through

Cheers,

Kim

 

  • Member since
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, May 10, 2007 3:59 PM
Kim - if the CEO fires you, you already have a job here! Big Smile [:D] Great work man!!!
  • Member since
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  • From: Virginia Beach
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Posted by tangerine-jack on Saturday, May 12, 2007 8:24 PM

You've been very busy!  Good work! 

I met one of your countrymen today while out riding my Triumph, his name is Tim from Hammersmith.  He came to the US two years ago for a vacation and never went back!  Small world it is.

The Dixie D Short Line "Lux Lucet In Tenebris Nihil Igitur Mors Est Ad Nos 2001"

  • Member since
    November 2005
  • From: Blackpool, Lancashire, UK
  • 448 posts
Posted by kimbrit on Monday, May 14, 2007 1:44 PM

Cheers guys,

The CEO knows very well that railway means garden done, no railway then no garden done!! TJ, I thought you were on the verge of reserve call up and here you are driving proper motorbikes around in your spare time, just shoes there's ex-pat Brits everywhere. By the way, we have done great for sunshine this year, better than Spain!

Cheers,

Kim

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