Blue play sand & Rivers

[mtm1site]

 Has anyone used play sand for rivers?  I am going to try using Blue play sand mixed with mortar then spread onto weed blocker to form a temporary river through my R.R. I know I,ll have to somehow make this mix porous so it will drain properly but, I haven't decided if I want an actual water feature at this time. I may want a real running river as I expand the railroad,but from what I have read there is a lot of work maintaining water features. With my other hobbies I may not have time to maintain it properly. TOM

[g. gage]

A fellow in the Sacramento Valley GRS covered his sidewalk with loose sand and ran water down it in the summertime. His tracks ran about waist to chest high and his scenery was cliffs extending down to the arroyo at ground level. It was very effective and it was great to walk barefoot in on hot days.

 

Have fun, Rob

[ttrigg]

Tom:

A well-designed and engineered water feature can be relatively maintenance free. Mine http://photobucket.com/rosebudfalls has 2,000 gallons of real water, and during the "winter" (like we have such in S. Cal.) I spend about 4 minutes a month in maintenance and then during the growing season (water plants) I spend about 4 minutes each week. My maintenance routine consists of the following:

1. Empty the basket in the leaf catcher.

2. Turn pump off, rotate control lever on filter to "Backwash", turn pump on and run for one minute.

3. Turn pump off, rotate control lever on flitter to "Rinse", turn pump on and run for one minute.

4. Turn pump off, rotate lever on filter to "Run", turn pump on, add 6oz "Declor", 6 oz "Algaecide", bring water level up to normal.

[mtm1site]

WOW! I was totally blown away as I looked at the Rosebud Falls GRR its beautiful. I might have to rethink putting a water feature in my R.R. Your discription of maintaining a river feature is just like maintaining my pool without the bottom cleaning and it sounds reasonable.. It will be a while before I expand my R.R. so if I do encorporate water in it I,ll have to plan carefully. The blue play sand mix idea is just a temporary thing that will ( I think, if it works) make the R.R. look good until the expansion takes place. I must be going into untried territory with this idea as the responses are few. But Man your R.R. is sweet. I may get to that level some day but its going to be awhile.   My other hobbies keep me on my toes in retirement. They involve restoring a 1972 Dodge Challenger,Sailing the Chesapeake bay and a resumption of traveling now that fuel prices are reasonable.   TOM 

[ttrigg]

Tom:

Thanks for the compliment: there are many out there that make mine look like the novice I am.

When you are ready to start your planning for a real water feature, drop me a note (PM or E-mail). I'll fill you in on what is needed for minimal maintenance of water features.

[mtm1site]

  I appreciate the offer ttrigg and I,ll take you up on it when I expand the R.R. It will be a while though. TOM

[ttrigg]

mtm1site

   I appreciate the offer ttrigg and I,ll take you up on it when I expand the R.R. It will be a while though. TOM

That my friend is what this forum is all about, helping each other further the enjoymnet of our hobby.

[mtm1site]

 Thanks! I am glad to be back after not posting anything for so long. I don't know how much help I can be to others but if I see anything I feel confident about I.ll add my two cents worth.  TOM

[4-4-0 Steamer Florida Branch]

Like ttrigg said, water features are not that hard to take care of. I am a landscape designer and installer and have built many water features and I can tell you it will be easier to put it in first that it will be to retrofit later. I use flexible liner with a skimmer basin and bio-falls with filters in both ends and cover all the liner with gravel and use a bacteria additive that helps greatly to reduce maintenance.

[mtm1site]

     Thanks 440-steamer S. F.:    The more I read the more I,am convinced I need to add a small water feature on the R.R. It's going to be a while before I get to it, probably late fall but most likely spring 2010. I have some sailing to do this spring/summer and I work on the R.R. between cruises. TOM

[ttrigg]

mtm1site

   The more I read the more I,am convinced I need to add a small water feature on the R.R.

It also give a reason for bridge building!

[mtm1site]

     ttrigg  I,ve already built another bridge but I,ll probably have to build one that fits the water feature. I have plenty of space in the side yard but time is going to be at a premium this summer.   TOM   

[ttrigg]

Above all else, if you should forget everything said on this forum, please remember This is your hobby; have fun.