From Ruins to Rails

Sorting the remains

In the wake of the Great Brick Shortage of 2020, the world stood on the precipice of a supply collapse. Cities crumbled, and decay weighed heavily on the shoulders of once-majestic buildings. To add to the woes, a frightening virus loomed over humanity. But amid the chaos, a glimmer of resilience emerged.

As the dust settled and people surveyed the wreckage, a newfound ingenuity took root. Communities came together to salvage what remained, turning the debris of fallen structures into a resource for rebirth. Two truckloads of rubble, collected from the remnants of the once towering buildings, became a symbol of hope.

In the midst of this recovery, a kind-hearted man with a big bucket on his digger volunteered to help load the rubble onto trucks. His generosity and willingness to contribute turned a daunting cleanup task into a communal effort. The rubble, once a symbol of destruction, now held the promise of renewal. 

The community had a vision – a railway that would connect different parts of the land, going from Dad's shed to the top house. The railway, steep, winding, and spiraling, would be a testament to human resilience and creativity, especially since traditional switch-backs were no longer an option with the scarcity of inches & misunderstood management.

An unnammed man with a digger & big bucket, known for his helpful nature, loaded the trucks with care, understanding the importance of each brick and piece of debris. The old bricks, once part of grand structures that defined the cityscape, were destined for a new purpose – to lay the foundation for the ambitious railway project.

As construction began, the town buzzed with activity. People from all walks of life joined forces to rebuild, transforming the discarded remnants of the past into a path towards the future. The railway, rising from the rubble, wound its way up the steep incline, defying the challenges imposed by the shortage of bricks.

Finally, at the top of the railway, a breathtaking view awaited. The once-devastated landscape now showcased the beauty of resilience. From Dad's shed to the top house, the spiraling railway not only connected different parts of the town but also symbolized the community's triumph over adversity.

Standing at the summit, one could absorb the entire panorama, including the distant Main Highway 1. The old bricks, once witness to the collapse of the past, now played a vital role in shaping the future. The town had not just survived; it had evolved, demonstrating that even in the face of scarcity and decay, human ingenuity could carve a path to renewal and breathtaking vistas.

Used adult sized Lego

In this preliminary proposal, note the elevation profile of the planned path, highlighted in light blue at the bottom. The line to the top of the railway demonstrates a consistent grade, ensuring a smooth and uniform ascent. 

5 month long Rebuilding effort

After an intensive five-month effort, I'm thrilled to share the comprehensive journey of rebuilding the main loop and siding leading to the engine shed. The main loop spans an impressive 140 meters with a minimum radius of 6 meters. Elevations fluctuate from a minimum of 38 meters above sea level to a peak of 41 meters. The Shed siding running a further 50 meters and ends near dads shed.

This ambitious project relied on sheer determination and hard work, with the primary tools being a wheelbarrow, spade, truck, and access to a local quarry. Introducing my old man's plate compactor to the process proved highly effective, especially when covering weed mats with gap20. The compaction ensured a solid foundation, and I'm eager to see any attempt by weeds to break through!

The surface has held up remarkably well under constant wheelbarrow loads, leaving no noticeable impressions, a testament to the meticulous care put into the construction. The once troublesome railway bridge, responsible for the initial damage, has been successfully removed. In its place, concrete abutments have been expertly cemented, and four repurposed railway sleepers now form the sturdy foundation of the new bridge.

This journey of transformation showcases the power of perseverance, resourcefulness, and innovation. As we move forward, the rejuvenated railway stands not only as a testament to hard work but also as a symbol of resilience and dedication to preserving the beauty of our surroundings.

The "Google Earth" App one would download as opposed to google maps on your web browser lets you draw lines which gives a lot of useful info, obviously it wont recognize my track-bed height

The progress on the engine shed is substantial, with only the finishing touches required for the ends. I'm contemplating an extension lengthwise to maximize space for the 1:24 garden railway. The idea is to incorporate a couple of tracks running the length and seamlessly connecting to the outside railway. This expansion will not only enhance functionality but also create a more versatile setup. Rest assured, the 7.25" Climax locomotive should fit comfortably within the extended space, ensuring a safe and efficient operation.

7.25" Climax & wagon haul plate compactor to new section of railway

Looking down from the recently built engine shed, my younger brother Andrew enjoying a rather short ride..

The long road ahead is far more accessible via rail, a not so common picture of me on the blog

Dad and Daisy on a miniature train they steer,

Around the railway laughter rings crystal clear.

Tiny tracks carry dreams a whimsical ride,

In the world they've crafted joy multiplies.

My oldest son has a ride

1145mm long H4 treated fence battens cut into thirds to create a narrow gauge feel. Many thanks to dad for the wisdom here as indeed it looks the part!

Bottom Looking up before

Bottom Looking up after

Preliminary survey pic of horse shoe loop, at this stage negotiating land acquisition & coordinating long-term transport provision & identification of dads future 15" gauge railroad projects

Horseshoe loop from below after staking out the 6.8m radius pegs, the string was not required and I ended up constantly getting caught on em while hauling rocks around.

Horseshoe loop from below sometime later, drainage pipe on left visible

Showing the build method, walls first, fill with clay then compress & repeat until desired height. Finally cover with weed matt then gap20.

Weed mat pinned down

Horseshoe loop from below at "Quake crossing" after plate compacting

Horseshoe loop from below at "Quake crossing" after track laying & ballasting

Slight deviation from break breaking work. the 1:24 garden railway gets some much needed attention, flat reinforced concrete pavers, weed mats, concrete & stone will create a solid weed proof foundation.

Supergluing scrap wood formwork in place before pouring concrete. Some chicken wire for reinforcing should be effective enough.

Looking from dads place, the roadbed, compacting & track laying on this section has largely been finished. I failed to take any photos of the effort here, Many tree roots, stones & stumps in the way that took weeks to chew through one step at a time. The shed will be elongated and curved to match the railway forming a tunnel of sorts. 

Cutting, marking & stacking of sleepers.

Horseshoe loop after ballasting

Arrived at the bridge

Looking back from the bridge after ballasting & tamping

Another load of sleepers arrives

Roxy holding down the roadbed

Point blades fixed to a bit of metal & bracket with 2:1 mechanical advantage, need to find a light bar to extend the switch about 10ft down the line so it can be changed without dismounting. I've sanded the sleeper tops to keep friction down & need to treat em with varnish

Building the first turnout

Top loop bridge

Top horseshoe loop bridge

Top horseshoe loop

Gabrielle's Roar

Once upon a time, in the quaint little town of Willow Creek, nestled between majestic native greenery and a serene coastline, there existed a picturesque railway that connected the town to the outside world. This railway was the lifeline of the community, carrying passengers and goods to and from their beloved town. The railway tracks wound through lush forests, crossed over babbling streams, and offered breathtaking views of the landscape.

A somber sight

Rocks from the surrounding mountains

One fateful day, Cyclone Gabrielle, a ferocious storm, descended upon

 Willow Creek with unrestrained fury. The cyclone unleashed its wrath, tearing through the town, uprooting trees, and flooding the streams. The force of the wind and water was so intense that it left the railway tracks in a state of disarray, rendering the lifeline of the town useless.

The townspeople were devastated as they saw the extent of the damage. The once vibrant and thriving railway now lay in ruins. The trains that used to bring hope and prosperity had been halted in their tracks. It was a somber sight for everyone in Willow Creek.

However, amid the despair, there was a glimmer of hope. An old man named Peter, who had spent his entire life working on the railway, believed that the tracks could be rebuilt stronger than ever. He had seen the worst storms before and knew the resilience of the land.

Peter called upon the people of Willow Creek to join him in rebuilding the railway. The townspeople, though shaken, rallied behind their wise elder. They knew that it would take a joint effort to overcome the devastation brought by Cyclone Gabrielle.

With determination in their hearts, the people set to work. They cleared the debris left by the storm, assessed the damage, and began the painstaking process of rebuilding the railway. Peter had a plan to make it even sturdier, using rocks from the surrounding mountains and a larger track gauge of 7.25" to accommodate a larger Climax type locomotive. This locomotive had two steam cylinders attached to a transmission located under the center of the boiler, which sent power to driveshafts running to the front and rear trucks, while slow could haul much larger loads than the 5" 0-4-0 used prior.

The townspeople chiseled and shaped the rocks, forming a solid foundation for the new tracks. They worked tirelessly day and night, united in their goal to restore the railway. Slowly, the path of the railway started taking shape again, more robust than ever before.

As they rebuilt, the community also bonded. Neighbors who had drifted apart in the business of life came together to support one another. Families worked side by side, strengthening their bonds as they laid the tracks. The young and the old, the strong and the weak, all contributed to the reconstruction effort, proving the power of unity.

Months passed, and the railway began to resemble its former glory. The people of Willow Creek had done the impossible, turning a tragedy into an opportunity for growth and togetherness. When the day finally came for the first train to pass over the rebuilt tracks, the entire town gathered to witness the momentous occasion.

As the wheels of the train clacked against the rocks, a resounding cheer erupted from the crowd. Tears of joy welled up in Peter's eyes as he saw the fruits of their labour. The railway was not just a transportation system; it was a symbol of resilience, hope, and the indomitable spirit of the community.

From that day on, the people of Willow Creek never forgot the lessons they learned from Cyclone Gabrielle. They treasured their newly rebuilt railway and the bond it had forged among them. They knew that no matter what storms life threw their way, they would face them with courage and the strength of their unity, for they had witnessed the transformational power of rebuilding with rocks and rebuilding together.

1:24 Yc Wagon Build

 1:24 Yc Ballast wagon test build.

I considered making working hopper doors, not this time.

Download it here https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5867944