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A Canadian Garden Railway Re-Birth

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David Leech

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Today, a couple of local steam enthusiasts kindly came over to give my rebuilt railway a test.
I am glad to say that all went well.
A couple of little things that I need to fix, but all in all a great success.
The railway was first started in 1981 when we moved into the house.
It was completed a couple of years later and was well used until about 10 years ago when some of the plywood under the roofing felt just fell apart.
The problem was that most of the roofing felt was not glued down and of course water got underneath and that was the end of the plywood.
In a few places, I had glued the perimeter of the roofing felt pieces, and there the plywood was a good as new.
So, rebuilding was begun, but first a new fence was needed, so while I was doing that, I extended it down the side of the house to make use of that area.
Anyway, so I have taken my time to get to where I am today, mainly because the two friends that came over both have good tracks, as does a third who couldn't make it, so I really didn't need to rush the project.
So here is what it looks like today.
I still need to build a bunch of switches so that the two circuits can be connected, but that's a winter job.
Cheers,
David Leech, Delta, Canada
 
#2 · (Edited)
Re-Birth of Track

I am not a certified track inspector but I was one of the fortunate ones to be able to test this fantastic and very well made and level
track rebuilt to the highest standards. As the video shows, the camera receives as smooth a ride as do the tiny 1/32 scale plastic people in the well known David Leech coaches being pulled by two Hudsons and some British coaches pulled by a Castle Class 4-6-0. Congratulations David for putting your perfectionist talents to this endeavor and we are looking forward to future runs on your very well built layout. This is the type of project which gets people back into this wonderful hobby and pumped up to do improve our own layouts......Thanks David also for a great video of the test runs.
All the best, Peter.
 
#3 ·
It looks really nice, David. I like the steam-up section around the side of the house. If I'd known I was going to be running live steam, I think I might have done something similar... right now I don't mind getting down on one knee to steam them up, but I wish the track was closer to the edge of the raised bed. And eventually I'm not going to want to get up and down.

Anyway, it looks like you've done great work.
 
#4 ·
Great layout David, with nice broad curves and very smooth ride indeed.

I find layouts near the ground OK at age 66 as long as there is a portion at table height to steam the locos and make small adjustments to the regulator or the by pass. When I do my moss removal to manicure the ballast I just lay in the ground to do the work alongside the track. This winter I will try covering up the track with some plastic material I can get at the local hardware shop, maybe I can save that chore at spring time. Otherwise it is nice because the train blends in with the garden which acts as scenery.
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
Chuck,
Most of the original posts and 2 x 3 and 2 x 4 longitudinals were still okay.
The post are pressure treated, and the logitudinals are red cedar that has been stained.
All the old plywood was replaced with new â…ť" ply covered with a 'peal and stick' roofing felt.
I am hoping that with the outside overhang that no water will now reach the plywood.
The ground level part of the track has Diebond type composite material screwed into pressure treated wood held in place under the concrete blocks.
As long as I get 20 years out of it, I will be happy.
The side down the fence was all new, as was the steaming up area.
The track is all Llagas Creek with a mixture of the three types of 'G' ties that they have made over the years.
Most of the switches I built, but a couple came from Llagas that I bought used.
I used a 12 foot length of 2 x 4 with a level on top to get the levelling done.
I hope that answers your question.
Cheers,
David
 
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