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  • Member since
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  • From: Sandy Eggo, CA
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Posted by Ray Dunakin on Sunday, December 10, 2006 8:02 PM
The fastest, easiest material I've found for retaining walls is something called "Keystone blocks". They are solid concrete blocks that are shaped such that you can stack them and they lock together without the need of mortar. In our area, there are two sizes, a large size for taller, more substantial walls; and a smaller size called "garden wall" blocks for walls up to about 3 feet high. (These things may be sold under a different name in other parts of the country.) I used the garden wall blocks build the (new) retaining wall to raise the low end of my hill, in order to reduce the slope. They are cheaper than cinderblocks because you don't have to add in the cost of cement, rebar, etc. Just dig a shallow, level trench; put down a bit of 3/8" crushed gravel for a base; and lay down the blocks. There is a small lip on the lower rear edge that catches on the block below it, preventing slippage.
 Visit www.raydunakin.com to see pics of the rugged and rocky In-ko-pah Railroad!
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  • From: Slower Lower Delaware
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Posted by Capt Bob Johnson on Sunday, December 10, 2006 8:56 PM

I used the block stuff almost like mentioned above.   My main walls are 28" high and are of a 4" high by 12"wide flat block.  Top course is glued down using plain old el cheepo construction adhesive of the exterior type.  despite TJ's baiting, it has held for 5 years and there is a 19,000 gallon pond held within it as well as the fill for the layout.

Up above for on the mountain part i'm using the 3"high by 9"wide garden style block that has the positioning lip, but after getting 5 pallets of it in place, I find that nobody in my area is carrying it any more and I need at least another 7 pallets!   Drop back and punt!

My problem was not a hydro blowout, but an overflow as the pond guy didn't listen to my idea of how to do the overflow and there is not enough carryoff ability to prevent flooding.  Too much PITA to correct it the right way, so am figuring some other method of providing overflow.

Now, the next time cannonboy comes up here, he's gonna have to learn how to drive a tugboat on the pond!

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Posted by tangerine-jack on Sunday, December 10, 2006 9:30 PM
Interesting you should mention that Bob.  I've been eying the live steam RC boats from ELMIK, I think one would look good on your pond.

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

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  • From: Dacula, GA USA
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Posted by Coogler Rail Line on Monday, December 11, 2006 8:00 PM

Thanks everybody for their input.

 

Ray, My wife is pushing for the keystone block idea. I think that you may have nudge me over on that side of the fence.

Now, does anybody have a idea on how to get fill dirt cheap?  i have no idea where to start there.

 

Thanks,

Chuck 

 

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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 12, 2006 7:49 AM
Welcome to the world of garden RR.  A lot of good advice is given here and other places.  I'd do a little more research on what you want to do.  As all have said larger curves are the way to go.  Build the RR the way you want and try to choose the best method to use to power your trains wheather it be battery, straight DC or DCC or RC.  I prefer SS rail as less cleaning than brass.  Just a few thoughts for ya and if you ever attend any of the RR shows here in town look up our club display and meet some great folks that can help you out.  Later RJD GGRS
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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 12, 2006 5:06 PM

Contact your local landscaping company for quote on fill dirt.  Look in the yellow pages also....

 

 

 

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Posted by Capt Bob Johnson on Tuesday, December 12, 2006 5:28 PM
When you buy it from a landscaper you are paying the middleman.   Try a big road construction or site preparation firm if they are also a sand and gravel seller.   I bought 39 - 10 wheeler loads of packing sand at $189.oo delivered, while landscaper wanted $500.00 for the same load from the same pit and delivered by the same trucks.
  • Member since
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  • From: Dacula, GA USA
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Posted by Coogler Rail Line on Saturday, December 16, 2006 5:45 PM

Well, Phase I is almost complete.  The landscape timbers are in place to raise the bed up.  I still have to hammer a few more spikes in but I am worn out for today.  Next step is to get the gravel for the drainage plastic pipe that is to run close to the timbers.  I will do that Monday since I am vacation until the 2nd of January.

The wife's boss has taken notice of the track and cars that we have bought on ebay had have had delivered to her workplace.  Her boss wants to bring their family to see our railroad.  Nothing like a little pressure and stress!   Shock [:O]

 

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Posted by tangerine-jack on Saturday, December 16, 2006 7:11 PM

Think of it as motivation to get the job doneBig Smile [:D]

 Don't forget that everybody on this international forum is waiting for you to show some pix of your progress.......  no pressure!

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

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Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, December 17, 2006 6:27 PM

Jack you are wrong there i am not waiting for any photos, i am waiting to get over my hangover.

We had a party here Saturday night for my 70 th and i had an unexpected visit form 2 of my children and 5 of my grandchildren up from Sydney a 1000 km away.

Rgds Ian

  • Member since
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  • From: Dacula, GA USA
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Posted by Coogler Rail Line on Sunday, December 17, 2006 7:27 PM

Happy Birthday Ian!Smile [:)]  It sounds like it was a special day for you. 

 The Pictures will be up tomorrow after I get a couple of truck loads of gravel for the drainage pipe.  We also have permission from a developer to get rocks and concrete debris for filler.  We are blessed this week with high temps in the 70 degree F range and nice sunshine.  A cold front is expected Christmas to drop us down in the 40's. 

 The wife wants this completed by Christmas so I can put ceramic tile down the week after Christmas.  She also wants the piles of track out of the house and in place.

 

 

  • Member since
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  • From: Dacula, GA USA
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Posted by Coogler Rail Line on Monday, December 18, 2006 3:52 PM

Here we go.  Today I got some gravel to partially bury the drainage pipe and one load of fill dirt.  Today was challenging day.  I am on vacation this week but a co worker called with a couple of questions on a on going project at work....one hour of the day gone.  My wheel barrow broke so a one hour trip to home depot for a new one.  \

As you can see my supervisors at the jobsite was disappointed with my progress....and my lack of ability to throw balls at the same time I am moving dirt.Black Eye [B)] 

 

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Posted by Coogler Rail Line on Friday, December 22, 2006 4:34 PM

Dissappointment.Dead [xx(]

I have the bed 90% filled but due to the weather I was unable to work yesterday afternoon or today.  The lanscape place that I bought the fill dirt for $5 a scoop is closed until the first of the year.  It looks like at least the first weekend after that if the weather is good.  I neec at least one more load of drainage gravel and maybe 4 scoops of top layer dirt.  I was considering a sandy mixture for this for better drainage.  If anyone is considering doing a project of this size I would say do it...it can be done...it will be a lot of hard work but I hope that it will be worth it in the end.

I have a existing privacy fence that we have restricted me to bringing in the dirt only one wheelbarrow full at a time.  I worked my tail off this week and my body is sore.  I gues that the positives is that this will give m more time to plan the layout.Sad [:(]

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Posted by tangerine-jack on Friday, December 22, 2006 6:49 PM

That's OK, real railroads have set backs and construction delays as well.  You will be 800 times more satisfied building the garden railroad than if you did an HO pike in the basement.

Good, job!

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

  • Member since
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  • From: Dacula, GA USA
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Posted by Coogler Rail Line on Friday, February 9, 2007 4:36 PM

Well...here is an update.  Two weeks into January I was able to get another scoop of gravel.  I think that it is ready for top soil.

Well, last week I was involved in a serious car wreck.  I stopped for a school bus stop and the guy behind me didn't.  My car may be totaled but my back is screwed up.  I will have to wait until the doctors clear me before I can do any work.  Black Eye [B)] 

 

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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, February 9, 2007 8:24 PM

I am sorry you have been hurt Coog mate, i hope you get better soon.

Rds Ian

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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, February 9, 2007 8:38 PM

Hey Coogler, hope you get good news from the Doc.  Sore back man that's a bummer.  What have you done about a car?

Your way ahead of me on construction.  Jan. and Feb. just no time to be working outside, unless you have to, here in middle Tennessee.  Are you going to Perry for the big show on the 16th & 17th?

Best regards

 

  • Member since
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Posted by Coogler Rail Line on Saturday, February 10, 2007 8:25 AM

I finally was able to get the other party's insurance to respond Friday..they are suppose to look at the car early next week.  It is probally totaled.

I am tempted to go to Perry...after the series of events this week I could use a vacation.  I was able to go to the show in Atlanta last week ...I was not able to enjoy it much since I was in a lot of pain.  The Atlanta show had a lot of Thomas the train stuff.  I picked up a LGB wine barrel car #45230 and a cute German Garden Fertilizer tank car#44408.  The one garden lay out was pretty cool.  The show was very crowded...I imagne that Perry will be the same.

  • Member since
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Posted by Coogler Rail Line on Saturday, June 23, 2007 10:35 PM

Here is a update.  Thanks to my wife and son we have the area filled with dirt with a garden pond installed.  Things have been going slowly since the wreck because I am limited to what physical activities I can do.  I am facing back surgery to fix my herniated disks.  We have layed track in a test pattern.  We are looking for a supplier of ballast for the pernament layout.  there are a very few suppliers of chicken tack in Gwinnett and they want $5 for a extremely small bag...like a 1/2 lb size.  I may look for a different material.  Today we bought a MRC Power G 10A power supply to run our LGB Mallet.  It seems to do the job well.

I would like to thank all for the advise they have given me and other people on the forum.  Everybody has been super!

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Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, June 24, 2007 2:05 AM

Hope you get to feeling better way sooner.

Remember to get 2, 3 or even 4 Dr.s advise before doing the big cut because I wish I had.

Ask about crushed granit (sp) at rock yards. 1 front end loader for me was not much and filled the back of my trailer up, way to much lol

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