Raised track
The track is a 3½" and 5" dual gauge track. It's approx 2000 feet (610 metres) in length with 50 feet (15 metre) minimum radius curves
Building or buying a loco
Loco's are usually steam or battery powered. There are many loco drawings and castings available for machining from various companies for both types to help you build your own loco. You will need access to a workshop with suitably large equipment, like a lathe, milling machine and drill press.
If you'd rather buy a loco there are many available, both brand new or second hand. It's best to seek advice before buying your first loco as there's lots of things to consider. There's plenty of advice available from members to help you make the right choice for you.
Vehicular access
The steaming bays are accessible by car with a generous area to turn you vehicle around and back up to the steaming bays
Loco's tend to be on the heavy side and usually require two people to lift. Instead of carrying your loco there's a height adjustable lift to transfer it from your car onto the steaming bays. To make sure your loco is facing in the correct direction the lift can be rotated 360°.
Steaming bays
There are 8 individual steaming bays that can comfotably accommodate 3 locos each
Once you have unloaded your loco onto the steaming bays you can prepare it ready for running on the main track. If you have a steam loco the steaming bays are equipped with running water and 12v electric hookup to help you raise steam.
Traverser
The traverser is used to move locos from the steaming bays to the run-up rial
When you're ready to run you can then use the traverser to move your loco from its steaming bay onto the main run-up rail that leads to the main track. When you've finished running on the main track, you can use the traverser again to bring your loco back to the steaming bays.
Using the traverser, in combination with the lift and steaming bays prevents you having to lift you loco to use the track.
The bendy beam
The bendy beam works like points on a typical railways.
It connects the main track to the run-up rail which connects to the steaming bays via the traverser.
The bendy beam allows locos to join and leave the main track with ease and minimises disruption to other locos running on the main track.
Station
When the railway is open, the station is the pickup and drop off point for passengers following a ride on the train having done a complete loop of the track.
The station has essential water and coal supplies for steam locos. There is also a seating and viewing area for our garden railway.
Carriages
The club own several carriages which can also be used as driving cars.
These can be easily accessed and connected up to your loco on the run-up rail before joining the main track if you would like to pull passengers. The carriages typically hold 3-5 people and there's no limit to the number of carriages that can be connected together.
We also have dedicated guards carriages with separate braking for use when the railway is open.
