Cambridgeshire Progress Report

[John Candy]

End of Year Report

The one question I am often asked is, "When will you be finished and ready for visitors?".
My reply is, "Depends upon the weather, getting the large quantity of pointwork built and (to a lesser extent) my builder, who is needed to bring a motorised auger to drill some deep and difficult holes for the main terminus supports".

The weather has been exceptionally good for the time of year and, over past few weeks, there have been only a few days when it has not been possible to do something constructive.

Current situation is that I have used all my stock of timber (had two very large deliveries of 5x2 over the past month) and, apart from the main terminus, the majority of timberwork has been completed.

The re-cycled plastic trackbed board has been laid over the majority of the route and yet another batch is on order for delivery after Christmas.

I have a quantity of steelwork (courtesy Mike and Aylesbury Gasworks!) which will be combined with the timber to form the base which is to fill voids in the expanse of the main junction station area.

To complement the photo which appeared in the recent G3 Society Newsletter and to give more of an idea of the state of construction of the line, I conducted a photo survey yesterday and compiled the attached "Inspection Report" in the format of a slideshow (click on link below).

http://lakes-pages.com/page2.html

Apart from the cost of materials, the cost of tools and equipment needed to efficiently undertake a project on this scale is in the region of 1000GBP (much of the equipment unlikely to be used again).

It occurs to me that a "Garden Line Construction Advisory and Assistance Panel" might encourage more people, who may be teetering on the edge, to take the leap and start construction. The loan of equipment could form part of the scheme.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

John.

[MikeWilliams]

Congratulations John.  A fantastic achievement.  Your pace of building the railway, building your wagons and assembling kits makes me wonder whether you ever sleep and makes me feel very old!

Mike

[John Candy]

The fact that you haven't heard much from me lately should not be taken to mean that nothing has been happening here!

In fact, the last few weeks have seen a lot of activity, with two more orders for "Ecoboard" collected from Filcris and another batch on order for collection next week.

Track laying has been progressing rapidly and some attached photos show progress.

The major junctions have been laid on the northern approaches to the main station and the southern approach to the station is also well advanced.
All the running lines are a minimum 20ft radius.


Looking away the main station at the northern end (vacant area on right, accessed by double slip, is for loop and sidings) with two main lines to right and high level single track branch diverging to left. This series of crossovers allows trains in either direction to switch between mainline and branch and vice versa. The station area is out of sight behind the camera.





Looking towards station throat from southern end (tunnel mouths behind camera) with loop on left and two mainlines on right (the platforms will begin where the loop ends).





Looking along same length but in opposite direction (station area behind camera).



In order to complete the double track mainline, only two more turnouts are required and then the rest is plain track (but a lot of it)!!

The most difficult and time-consuming aspect has been aligning the junctions to get the correct track-spacings in the station throat (to allow for five through platforms plus a north-facing bay) and the alignment of the mainline/branchline junction.

With a bit of luck, the low-level mainline will be operational by June, then the high-level branch will be tackled (to date only the track across the viaduct has been laid).

John

[blagdon]

Well done John - looking good; meanwhile at Chew Magna now 'Mrs Pirate' is back home but not very mobile on elbow crutches; the PW Department has been able to re-align and re-lay the coal siding and add the Williams Models brass buffer stop at the end of the headshunt.

Ian the Gauge '3' Pirate

[John Candy]

Best wishes to "Mrs Pirate" for a speedy recovery.

How about some photos of your trackwork........including that new buffer stop?

Regards,
John.

[John Candy]

The way things are progressing, the double track mainline will be completed within a few weeks.

There will still be a lot more work involved before the project is completed (tracklaying on the high level line has barely started and the junction station platforms, six of them, need to be fabricated) but the time will have come for test running to iron out any track problems and mark out clearances for platforms and other structures.

To assist with this it would be useful to have a trial running session with some of the larger locos and rolling stock likely to be brought to "get-togethers".

It should be borne in mind that the line is primarily suited to radio-controlled stock, since there are quite a few obstacles which would be a hazard to anyone trying to run around after a train! Some of these obstacles will, eventually, be removed (e.g. the pond which will be in-filled when it has drained) but at present only "well-behaved" locos will be suitable.

I don't have a date in mind at present but sometime in July will probably be settled upon.

This will not be a "get-together" as such but a preview and proving session, with the aim of ironing out any "wrinkles".

Numbers will need to be limited to around 6 to 10 participants and a buffet lunch will be provided.

If you would like to attend, please email me, with a list of the stock you would bring.

If there are too many, then the names will have to be drawn out of a hat and anyone left out will be at the top of the list for a "re-run" later in the Summer.

Will take some more photos next week.

Regards,
John.

[AllWight]

Sounds good john. Please may I join you for the trial testing day.

Mark

[John Candy]

Mark,

An "O2" 0-4-4T will be very welcome....not sure about "Thomas" though ....depends on whether he will be "well-behaved"! 

John

[AllWight]

Thomas is always well behaved. Will probably stick with the IOW  locos rather than the island of sodor.

Mark

[John Candy]

"Up & Over" .... the access problem!

The fine weather of the past few days has seen me mixing several Cwt. of concrete and mortar.

The problem (or one of the problems) of my line is that of access, since to reach the furthest corners requires three crossings of the tracks.
The first one to be tackled is on the northern approach to the main junction station, with a bridge of 5ft. length, spanning 6 tracks.

Foundations were excavated and concrete poured on Wednesday and, yesterday, four supporting abutment brick pillars were built and rendered.

This morning, the bridge (not built by me but ordered from www.tonywardfurniture.co.uk ) was temporarily positioned to check levels, etc.
Am waiting on a yet another (the second this week) delivery of concrete blocks, cement, sand and ballast, in order to build the steps up to the bridge deck.

Intention is to "decorate" the sides to represent a plate girder bridge with an arched top edge, to match the deck profile.

Tracklaying is on "hold", pending availability of more pointwork.

More reports soon.

Regards,
John.

[MikeWilliams]

Has autumn come early to Cambridgeshire, or is that sawdust on the track?  The bridge looks good John, string, attractive and a nice shape.

Mike

[John Candy]

Mike,

Those are petals from lilac, weigela, etc.!!

John.

[John Candy]

Bridge construction completed yesterday.......






........and this morning the 100kilo load test (courtesy of Mrs.C in her purple "Cloggies" and pink Sun hat!!!

[AllWight]

Looks as though the P way gang and civil engineering departments are keeping busy and with such pleasant weather.

Mark

[454]

Seen similar bridges in our local garden centre which does "Japanese Water Garden" themes, prefer the bridges over rail track though not garden ponds. Keep this impressive progress up John, this member cannot wait to visit to test the track.

Dave
454