SOUTHPORT MODEL ENGINEERING CLUB

• Proposal for a garden railway

THE WHY

● It will add another dimension to the club's running facilities

● It will provide another garden railway line

● It may attract more people to the hobby

● It may encourage more visitors

● It's an interesting challenge

THE WHAT

● A 32mm running line in a garden setting

● A 45m single-track circle with sidings & passing loops

● Built on 16in high grass embankment

● Landscaped with plants and buildings

● Built with boards of recycled plastic

THE WHERE

• In the central area, between the sidings and the Gauge 1 track

• Allows large-radius curves

• Visible and accessible

• Maintain Gauge 1 access and circulation areas

• Gives options for further development

THE HOW

● Built in phases, to stagger costs and build times

● Minimum build to start with, get something running to show it works and demonstrate benefits

● New members will contribute to finance and labour (other contributions welcome!)

● A garden railway is never finished....

PHASES● 1) Build trackbed and embankment, lay track

circle and one steam-up siding

● Then run trains for a period, to demonstrate operation & generate interest

● 2) Add some landscaping

● 3) Build second siding & two passing loops (trackbed, embankment and track)

● 4) Add buildings, platforms & more landscaping

FILCRIS PROS AND CONS

• Quick, easy build

• No mess or heavy lifting

• Strong, rot proof structure

• Easy to modify

• More expensive than other methods

• Remote supplier

COST ESTIMATES

● Phase 1 – initial trackbed and track £1630

● Phase 2 - initial landscaping £0-200

● Phase 3 – remaining trackbed & track £830

● Phase 4 – further landscaping £0-300

● £1630 to get trains running

FUNDING - 1

• Phase 1 split between six new members and club

• Club allocates first year’s subs to project (6 x £37)

• New members each contribute extra £100

• Club contributes £830

• Landscaping and extensions as funds permit

FUNDING - 2

● New members have a financial interest in completing the railway

● Club gets initial railway at half of cost

● Railway becomes a club asset, maintained and developed by club as resources allow

● All encouraged to use/admire/work on it

TIMETABLE

● Depends on manpower input!

● With minimum manpower, complete trackbed by Easter 2014

● Lay initial track April/May 2014

● Operate during the summer

● Landscaping August onwards

● Consider loops, etc. late 2014/early 2015

THAT’S ALL FOLKS

• What do you think of it so far?