Chemin de fer Sud de Bretagne

I think we should re title this section GRUMPY OLD MEN REMINICE.

Yes always walked in a crocodile to the swimming baths, but we did have a bus to the Wolverhampton Race course that was used as our sports field, where I could lie on the grass in the summer, while the others played cricket and watch the trains being re coal at the Oxley sidings. Later I went to college in Birmingham travelling by train every day I still have my GWR season ticket they were still issuing then in the early 60’s using up the old stock, something that would never be done these days

French Chuffed wrote:

I think we should re title this section GRUMPY OLD MEN REMINICE.

Yes always walked in a crocodile to the swimming baths, but we did have a bus to the Wolverhampton Race course that was used as our sports field, where I could lie on the grass in the summer, while the others played cricket and watch the trains being re coal at the Oxley sidings. Later I went to college in Birmingham travelling by train every day I still have my GWR season ticket they were still issuing then in the early 60’s using up the old stock, something that would never be done these days

Hi while I was working on the W & L in mid wales they took all the old tickets out and went modern, this was a shame as I thought it was part of the railway Les

I got some artificial trees from Gifi, there a bit small but I think they will look ok





I also managed to clear the area for the lower rack railway station. Its being inspected by the line supervisor.

Showing my ignorance Peter but whats Gifi?

Mikey

A cheepo shop my wife loves going in, all things plastic.
gifi.fr if you want to look them up

I cant understand why you've gone to all that trouble and expense in creating a wonderful line thats full of potential and then used those out of scale plastic trees? A scale tree should be 30- 60 cms tall and the leaves are very big aint they? I'll willingly send you some cuttings if you like (free) and you will have trees galore in 2 months

Mikey

I have got some real trees coming on Mikey, thanks for the offer, but everything grows so slowly here. Wife saw them and thought she would get some. I will take a pic of them tomorrow (the real ones) and you can log how slow they grow.

As you see even the weeds grow slowly.

The trees look fine. That's one of the nice things about trees - they come in all sizes.

I've been looking for ages for a miniature weeping willow tree and they just dont exist! so plastic it must be! Gifi dont sell those do they/

What sort of trees do you have on your line Bill?

Mikey

Whatever volunteers. Mostly weeds.

Its weird how the weeds always grow faster than the plants! I;ve kept my best weeds as they look like little trees.

Mikey

mikeyh wrote:

Its weird how the weeds always grow faster than the plants! I;ve kept my best weeds as they look like little trees.

Mikey

Hi I spent over 35 years in the seed trade and we musr remember the weeds were here thousands of years before we started gardening so they have learnt a few tricks Les

FELICITATIONS !!!!!!!!!!!

I finally got my new outside door fitted into the garden shed, it may not appear much to you.., but it is a great advancement giving better and quicker access to the storage yard. It almost looks as if it was supposed to be there



I have also being painting Ballast black, I needed some coal and it seemed the best way to get some. (a bit like waiting for paint to dry)



So we now have some coal stocks for running



But someone lost the hopper for the crane so it will have to be loaded by hand.

French Chuffed wrote:

I finally got my new outside door fitted into the garden shed, it may not appear much to you.., but it is a great advancement giving better and quicker access to the storage yard. It almost looks as if it was supposed to be there

It looks as if one could just live in there.

Your railway is really developing now.

This needs a caption. Perhaps "My word! What a simply splendid litter tray!"

Like the door Peter. Very smart. Adds a certain 'je ne sais quoi' to the line!

mikey

Saddletank wrote:

This needs a caption. Perhaps "My word! What a simply splendid litter tray!"

You’re not joking; there are loads of little holes all over it now.

I got fed up with the weeds on the dockside, so decided to dig out and concrete, doing the sides of the dock as well, as there is no water in due to the lack of rain.



Got carried away and started the other side as well.

I got the track laid along the dock, I have just got to sort out the reverse loop thinge as, the dock sidings are in fact a rev loop.



I checked what track I have for the lower station, fitted the rack to the track, and gave the train a test run. I am waiting for some more rail joiners to finish the job.






But too hot today to do much

Like the pics Peter. It looks more like a Spanish train with all the rocks and sand! nice one.

Mikey

mikeyh wrote:

Like the pics Peter. It looks more like a Spanish train with all the rocks and sand! nice one.

Mikey

Well it could be Spain it’s been ’scorchio’ today.

I have finally got all round the canal basin concreted, I am thinking of cladding the sides partly with slate tiles with wood strips between and some wooden strips to look like supporting framework.

After tripping over the engine shed for the second time and it partially disintegrating, I have decided to fix it together with aluminium angle and a few 2.5mm bolts. They will be mainly under the eaves so not seen. I will devise a clip to hold the back of the roof on with a bolt at the front.

Is it possible to avoid walking near it? Can you take another route round? Making the structure more durable is all well and good but if you kick it with engines inside you might be sorry.

The docks complex is looking fantastic BTW, really oozing atmosphere now and you've still hardly started on the scenery.

Before GSM closed down one guy had built a concrete dock and he slathered the sides in cement and scribed stone blocks into it. He then added vertical timber strakes by drilling these straight into the concrete. A good idea is to take a look at old dockside pictures and be inspired by the real thing.

o