Wooden Backyard Railway (part 1)

This is my brother's partially completed 14-inch gauge backyard railroad. So far he has built 3 railcars and is planning to build an electric locomotive. Here he takes a ride on the firewood car, starting from the woodshed up by the house and coasting down through the yard into a woods at the bottom. Most of the route is downhill so once he reached the front sidewalk he just hopped on board and rode the rest of the way.

The rails are made from white oak and the ties are made of ash. Even the railcar's wheels are wood (also white oak).

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People & Blogs

Tags:

• garden railroad
• backyard railroad
• model trains
• wooden railroad
• wooden railway
• wooden backyard railroad

[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.

[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]

@CondorRidge do you mean that ties are in fact sleepers

[mjtunstall1976]

end of the line sir!! lol good track!

[WipeoutUSA]

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