|
|
|
|
| What we did -
The Concrete Trackbase |
 |
Once you
have set the route for your railway, Hammer in stakes all the way around
at your Levels length. Then go around with your level and check your
gradients, adjust them to your liking! Remember the tops of these stakes
will represent your Trackbase Top!
Now lay an aggregate (hard-core) along the route,
keeping it level!
- Cut a length of hardboard to the height you want
your trackbed to be.
- Cut as many 2x1 stakes as you will need, and
tack them onto the hardboard with 2 screws/nails. (may need more
stakes for curves)
|
 |
Hammer in
the stakes, either side to the correct width that you want. Try to make
sure that the aggregate fills the gap between the hardboard and the
ground - remember the hard-core is there so that the concrete grips to
it! (We used broken bricks & Pea shingle for hard-core) On flat
ground surfaces its recommended that you build concrete pillars embedded
into the ground at intervals - this way the trackbed is fixed rather
than just laying!
At this stage, before you start pouring wet concrete into the mould,
G-Clamp the tops of the hardboard at the wanted trackbase width, because
once the concrete goes in, a fair bit of weight will start to push the
shuttering out! If left like this, you will end up with a wavy edged
trackbase.
*Just a quick note at this stage. Although we missed
this out and might regret it in the future - reinforcement steel
roding!. Its advisable to add this throughout the concrete base, this
will stop the concrete from dropping, then cracking! We made sure that
the hardcore below was packed down enough to stop this from happening
(fingers crossed)
|
 |
Once you have poured
the concrete into the mould, and leveled it off with a trowel &
level, Check your gradient, make sure the stakes you hammered in at the
start are level with the concrete, and not protruding. This may cause
havoc when it comes to laying your track.
You will need to act quickly
at this point, before the concrete sets, Have ready some "trackbase
width" treated strip wood! These will allow your track
pins to be nailed in, add more strips around areas that will be having
points, junctions etc. etc.
|
 |
Once your concrete is set, and
rock hard! remove the hardboard shuttering. You may have to give it a
wobble then a tug. Check any areas that might have sunk, or edges that
didn't quite get enough concrete, if so go around with some quick
set Cement Repair from Polyfilla, and smarten it up!
Add embankment sides, or box hedges, to blend in with
your garden! Lay your track, and have some fun.
Happy Garden Railwaying!
|
|
|
