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Layout Construction
As usual we learn by our previous mistakes
so 3rd time lucky I hope. I have chosen a concrete girder method
with a pile at either end to eliminate frost
heave and also if you are running long wheel based rolling stock
you need a good stable track bed. So timewill
tell if this is the correct way to go. The piles are made from
110mm/outside diameter pipe with a single 10mm steel single rod up
the middle. The beams are made so that boxing sits on the
piles and poured in place with a 10mm bar through the
centre.
Above left;
The end of the shed with the new train door fitted. It took alot
of courage & measuring before the first cut! Above middle;
First pile in place, piles were dug and poured the day before so
they are steady enough to take a beam being poured the following
day. Above right; Leveling the 2 piles before the
boxing goes on.

Above left;
Boxing on & 1st pour has been done each pour has been measured
so that it takes one barrow of concrete on the straight &
curved sections. Above middle; Everything ready for the
step & railway crossing to the shed. Above right; The
result, a centre strip of timber was added so it would take
walking traffic with out a problem.

Above left;
Now we start the grade with the top starting to desend. The 1st
curve was in place at the bottom so now we had to meet in the
middle at the same height with a constint grade!! Above middle;
4 span steel girder bridge & piers in place. Above right;
Stage one is finished with a grade of 3% to the 4 span bridge
easing to a 2% to the corner of the shed then on to level track to
& into the shed.

Above 3
Photos; These show different stages of the process, with the
curve sections & good view of the piles with the finished back
straight. The whole of ths 2nd stage has a 2% grade into the shed.
Below left ; The last time the boxing will be used, it is in
place for the final pour. Below middle; At last! The last
section has its concrete in place & the main line is linked. Below right;
Looking at the stage 2 loop completed.

There are at
least a couple of hundred barrows of concrete in the railways
roadbed all hand mixed so I do not intend to move from our current
address in this life time!
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