Wooden Backyard Railway (part 1)

[jhaunte01]

how did you make that



[brokenchain100]

That is beautifully done. Can you give more detail on the curved oak rails? Did he has green wood before it had dried, or did he have to steam it or something? Thanks

[stang1985]

That is so cool!

[AlexAcE1]

you have nice stuff there:)

[kgedelian2000]

like

[wavemaker10111]

What makes a sharp turn to the left at 0:36?

[ren439]

He might be soaking the wood in water, make them easy to bend.....B^)

[mjtunstall1976]

end of the line sir!! lol good track!

[WipeoutUSA]

That is very nice how long did it take you to build

[modeltrainman12345]

probably for lite loco's only. Right?

[jaytjuh575]

great :) i want one :)

[trainmafiaman]

how are the switches made do they work

[kae4466]

hmm, nice

[kae4466]

hmm

[gronki1]

Oops, end of the track! Amazing project, I'm thinking of making such a railroad myself, but I've been confused how to bend steel to make a curve. Wood seems to be easier to work with than steel.

[mrsoouter]

wow this looks amazing any problem with wood worm?

[JBofBrisbane]

So this track is almost the right gauge (give or take 1/8-inch) for 1:4 scale rollingstock.

[lightblueladybug]

Cool. It should have a small hill or something, though, but that looks like fun. Add a tunnel to it!

[debowh]

thats very nice how did that take

[biggdaddy2001]

ha ha hope u don't get any termites or wood boaring worms lol

[CGiordano464]

so aweosme!!!!!!!!

[TYMMCHN]

What do you treat the lumber with? How does it hold up to the elements? Nice switch!!

[sm57co]

That's fantastic! Any updates? Would love to see his train cars!

[deathshelper1]

I just watched all 3 vids, this is amazing! Are you guys aware of the bush trams and pole roads of the western states and Canada? Mostly used in logging. I'd love to see how the car is built, simply astounding!

[7leprechaun7]

I think this is just plain awesome :)

[trainlover479]

i see at a crossing theres old track, also, why not metal rails?

[bensewell36]

How does he bend the rails?

bensewell36

[CondorRidge]

The wood is flexible and bends easily into whatever curve radius he needs. There is one very tight curve (not part of the main track shown here) where he may have had to do something else, but I'll have to ask him about it.

[Gunsnclapton4]

Why are you using wooden rails instead of aluminum or steel?

[CondorRidge]

Jim is an expert in woodworking and has a well equipped shop. It's easier and a lot less expensive for him to just buy the rough wood at a sawmill, then plane and cut it into rails. They'll have to be replaced eventually but he says they're holding up very well and may last for many years if properly treated.

[deamze08]

what are the tracks made of? did he make them? thnx

[CondorRidge]

Yes, he made the tracks himself. The rails are made of white oak, which is very strong and works really well. The ties are made of ash.

[mjtunstall1976]

@CondorRidge do you mean that ties are in fact sleepers

[glennofootscray]

more a wooden coaster than a railway, timber rails define it, but it looks good

[CondorRidge]

Thanks for your comment. True, these videos show it being used as sort of a roller coaster, but it's more functional than that. Among other things, it's used to haul firewood up to the house and garden trimmings down to the woods. There's even a little spur line (did you notice the switch track?) so groceries and other stuff can be hauled from the driveway to the house.

[7485jerry]

Footpower i presume?????????? Almost qualifies for a Roller Coaster too. LOL

[CondorRidge]

Footpower and gravity power at this point. He plans to construct a battery-powered locomotive later this year.