Garden Rail Saturday; A little Tin Hut

Work on the garden line has taken a bit of a back seat recently, partly a consequence of the weather, and partly because I'm up to my armpits in other work. But, we did manage some work over the summer, and one of those projects was this hut. Our plan is to give our line something of a Light Railway atmosphere, key to which will be 'wiggly-tin' architecture. We thought it best then to try the concept out before we go making loads of stations, engine sheds and things.

The inspiration- if we had room for a proper garden shed, this is what we'd get. New-build versions of the classic railway Permanent Way tin shed. This one, still in mint, box-fresh condition, is in the yard at Ingrow, Keighley and Worth Valley Railway.

New gadget! Who doesn't love a gadget? Being as this was mostly an Amy project, she purchased this gizmo and the tin sheets inspired by a project she'd done at work.

She also designed the frame, which we laser-cut from 3mm acrylic.

Butte-joints; if we were doing this again, we'd probably go for slot-and-tab joints here.

Clad with the sheets, and lashings of superglue, after cutting in some curves to the top panels with lashings of superglue.

A little late, we realised the corrugations on the roof should have gone side-to-side, not end-to-end, but that's why we've done a prototype.

Weathering inspiration; this part of the project was left to me (Ben), inspired by the shed at Oakworth Station. 

Two coats of black spray, then a lot of weathering in shades of brown, some Nuln Oil, and dry-brushing with grey, before blasting with acrylic varnish spray.

And here, in print.

 

Railway Research Trip; The Steeple Grange Light Railway

Another research trip, another railway, and something a bit interesting and unusual. 

Derbyshire has quite a few preserved railways, but nowt as eccentric as this one. The Steeple Grange Light Railway is built on the track-bed of a standard-gauge quarry branch line, itself an offshoot of the famous Cromford and High Peak line. We parked up at the National Stone Centre, then strolled down the track bed to the station.

This was the target of the visit; ZM32, the ex-Horwich Works shunter, one of the smallest locomotives employed by BR. The whole line here though is rather fun, comprising preserved industrial locomotives and stock, including quite a few mineral-sector battery locomotives. The passenger vehicles are ex-Coal Board mining stock 'Manriders'.

A lovely little machine; the plan is to something inspired by this loco for Garden Rail.

The ride on the train was great fun; propelled up by ZM32, the view from the end of the Manrider was an interesting way to see the line. Plus, as it was ex-mining stock, we were sat very low down in the carriage.

Up at the terminus, which was delightfully basic, and very modellable. 

The trackwork is nicely overgrown and weathered.

Back at the station; I know I'm sad for liking this stuff, but I was very taken with the moss growing on this old wagon turntable which was propped up against the retaining wall.

There's actually two lines here, a short one going off from the main station into another bit of quarry. A quick run on the open carriages (again, eminently modellable) with a battery locomotive.

Pic in Trackside magazine.