Garden Railway

(click on the pictures to enlarge)

After moving house in 2003, I had to give up a 6ftx4ft model railway layout due to a lack of space for it at our new home. Therefore, my model locomotive collection was put into storage. However, in late 2004 we began planning something new, mainly to allow us to get the 15 or so locomotive’s out of their boxes for a run. After some planning and a bit of remodelling in the garden, the first stage of the railway, a short circuit, began construction in April 2005 and was completed by June. During the first stage of construction, the garden she was also adapted so that trains could run in and out through specially designed “trap doors”. These lift up and also lock from the inside. Inside the shed, there is a shelf (around 8ftx2ft) which the trains run onto. On the shelf nowadays are three passing roads (the Fiddle Yard), as well as a small dead-end reception siding, which also includes a Good’s Shed.

When people think of Garden Railway’s, many of them will think of the larger gauges, such as 32mm or 45mm. However, it is possible to make a working garden railway using the well known modelling gauge ‘00’. This has been made possible by the manufacture of track with silver-coated rails, rather than the original steel track. We of course used silver-coated track and, considering that some sections have been in place for around 4 years now, it has lasted quite well. The track (and trains) are powered by 12V, which is supplied from the transformers in the shed. There are 5 different “power points” on the main track, which allow for a satisfactory conduction of the current.

Following a full years operation, we decided that the railway still wasn’t long enough. Therefore, a new route had to be found and this job fell to me. The new route would require the building of three new stone walls and at least two new wooden bridges (which would carry the track). The extension was began in July 2006 and throughout the next couple of weeks we spent hundreds of pounds on stone, breeze blocks and cement, as well as compost to fill the new flowerbeds that we built. Therefore, by August 2006, the railway was around four times longer than it had been before, with two new stations and much more route availability. Since then, the railway has evolved a great amount. We have added many more features including sidings, a passing loop, engine sheds, shops, houses, an extra station and, of course, a Pub!

The flowers have also grown well, as have the new trees we planted back in 2006. We also have an electrically operated turntable now, which is powered from the main shed. This turntable, situated half way down the line, allows the turning and storage of up to 6 locomotives at any one time. It isn’t only the railway that has grown either, the locomotive collection has also expanded somewhat. We now have over 30 locomotives and an endless amount of coaches & wagons to haul behind them. This collection allows for a great variety of trains from Saddle Tank hauled ‘Pick-Up’ Freights to 8-coach Express’ hauled by one of our 4-6-2 Duchess locomotives.

The railway is named the “Sutherland Steam Railway”, after the nearby main road of all things. We now have four stations with the main base being “Sutherland”. Here there is a pub, engine sheds, signal box and a few sidings. The next station is ‘Grantham’, which is modelled as a small request stop with only a small waiting shelter. A small row of shops/houses has also been added to give a the feel of a hamlet. Trains then pass Ashford Junction which is where the line to the timetable diverges to the left. There is also a signal box here, and a level crossing. Soon after the junction is Ashford Station which is another request stop. This station has been fitted with interior lighting, a feature which we hope to add to all of our buildings before Christmas 2009. The lighting is also powered by 12V, supplied by another transformer in the shed. After Ashford, the line curves sharply to the right, around the turntable site, before descending into Chilvers Coton station. This is the terminus of the line station-wise. However, trains can continue through the station, a route which will then take them back to the shed after crossing a small walkway via a wooden bridge. The terminus includes a Run-Round Loop, water tower, lengthy platform, newspaper stand, signal box and gantry.

I must say that it hasn’t been easy to get the railway to its current state. It has taken many days of staying outside in cold weather (and rain, and wind!) to achieve what we have. However, as most model railway builders will say, “it’s still not finished”. We have many more jobs to do, the first being a few locomotive overhauls and some track renewals (due to frost damage). One thing I will say though, is that a garden railway is about as close as you can get to the real thing! You have contend with the weather, maintain the track, carry out Permanent Way operations and be aware of high winds and risks of snow. However, on a hot summer’s day its probably one of the nicest hobbies and, one that we have immensely enjoyed building up since April 2005. And, as I said, “its not finished yet!”.

The video below shows 'Sutherland Steam Railway' in action, click the play button to watch