MODEL BUURT SPOOR
Construction in 2019
August 2019
The very first meters of track on the new terrace with M.B.S. EL 103 D IV.
Behind it are the closed wagons and two stake wagons with blue sorting bins on them.
The 1st and 3rd cars behind the power car would later become the R.T.M. 296, the last car the R.T.M. PD 299.
The outriggers of the overhead line were hanging there for a test, here without contact wire.
In the photo above, after the terrace was completed, the underpass of the garden path is being constructed.
Calculated on an upper deck of a concrete tile 40x60cm, the standing concrete tiles are also placed,
these were removed shortly after the photo was taken to be replaced with decking boards.
Initially, the track bed turned out to be dug too deep, but it was later raised by more than 8 cm to reduce the slope.
The underpass was further adjusted in the autumn of 2019 and mainly widened and raised,
so that even the longer wagons can drive smoothly through the arch and the overhead wires do not hang too high.
Of course it wouldn't stop at the dry spot on the terrace.
The curve from the underpass meets the track from the terrace here.
The track bed is a mix of gravel and dry mortar, it hardens slightly and allows
If mixed lightly with water, apply well to sand or soil.
After curing overnight, the rails can be laid and the drainage is excellent.
The track is currently still provided with gravel with a grain that is much too coarse,
the next change will include a 'Rowland' mix.
This is a mix of 20% cement, 40% pond gravel (or gravel with a grain size of 5 mm max.) and 40% garden peat without roots,
Although I have my doubts about this last addition...
It will be a matter of trial and error, probably...
On the other hand, Ardenner split with grain size 2-7mm is even better, route adjustments are then easier.
To be able to oversee the track construction and to know
what exactly is needed is used an app called AnyRail ©
This is version 5.0 of the track plan from September 7, 2019.
Many more designs and trials would follow.
The photo clearly shows that the passage was calculated to be too narrow.
The slightly longer wagons that emerged from the curve inevitably ran into the retain wall on the right.
In the curve stands the boxcar which was used as a clearing reference for the underpass.
The boxcar immediately hit the retaining wall during the first test.
The profile of this boxcar is somewhat wider than the usual tram boxcars.
It's actually a smaller standard gauge boxcar on narrow gauge.
Four terrace planks were used for the walking area, which are still satisfactory and were widened last year by two planks from 60cm to 90cm.
The position of the track was also raised a few centimeters, for what purpose
the outriggers of the overhead line were used as a reference.
The second curve up along the conifers.
The track here is not yet on a bed and the slope still needs to be leveled.
On September 7, 2019
After a heavy rain shower, so much sandy soil has been washed into the curve between the tracks that clear measures must be taken.
This means that the right slope between the two tracks will have to be covered, albeit
with plants or paving.
A little further on the brand new switch of what will later become a part of a small railway yard.
September 7, 2020:
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The first switches for the new railway yard and also the connection to
terminus 'Waterleiding' on the terrace.
To the left of the track are the masts yet to be installed, with the 'ground plug' next to them, a
small picket to which the mast is screwed on to.
This must be aligned, otherwise the mast will be crooked.
September 22, 2019
The first changes have already been made, the three-way switch has been placed shorter to the ramps.
The cabling has also been tackled, on the right against the fence
there are distribution points where the switches can be connected.
Cables run from these distribution points to a central control box.
The electric tram, which runs under the garden path, is on the terrace
an end point, called "Waterleiding" (after the water tapping point that is there).
To get to the top of this line, the tram will have to drive up backwards.
It was only like this for a short time and was later changed to a ramp going counter-clockwise upwards.
September 22, 2019
The railway yard viewed from the other side.
Here you can clearly see the subsurface.
Once again the railway yard under construction.
September 28, 2019
Good ballast is required to properly fix the rails, this works the same on main track.
The same ballast also serves for good drainage and prevents weeds.
Here I experimented with aquarium gravel, it fixes very well, but
has the disadvantage that the grain (1-3mm) is too small.
So small, in fact, that the switches run poorly or not at all and that
heavy rainfall even washes away.
The yard has now progressed to the third curve behind the shed.
The yard with the third curve viewed from the shed.
The crossing switch with crossing track at the front would later be removed completely.
September 28, 2019
The new railway yard seen from a driver's perspective.
Again the railway yard...
October 19, 2019
The level crossing in the garden path has been constructed.
Under the paving parts of L.G.B. there is a retaining strap to support the whole thing.
It also ensures a smooth flat surface and good drainage.
The stop block for the level crossing is temporary.
Our Labrador walks on the last piece of grass, which has been completely cleared
was going to be (it was already bad with a lot of moss)...
The three-way switch has also been moved and would be used here for the pilot tracks.
It would all turn out to be too short on the shed, making the crossing track redundant.
The construction of the fourth and final curve in the track, on the way to the completion of the main track.
The "Depot site" with the locomotive shed would later be built near the blue box.
October 27, 2019
the 'kink' in construction.
The large fence around it would be removed later on.
It worked, but detracted from the railway.
Towards the coupling of both ends, in other words; 'we can almost drive around'...
October 27, 2019
Big party...
We can drive around, although single track, but that makes it challenging.
The last piece of rail in the second curve.
Here you can clearly see that the path below the driveway over the track to the terrace has been amply widened
the side of the same terrace is finished with inverted decking planks.
And immediately installed the overhead lines...
October 27, 2019
Around six o'clock in the evening, motor locomotie R.T.M. M 1806 'Bergeend' hooked a tow boxcars during the test runs on the newly completed track.
It's already dusk...
October 29, 2019
The improvement for the electric tram to the 'Waterleiding' terminus is under construction.
After the first curve there is immediately a left switch to get this track to the terrace.
To achieve this, a bridge had to be constructed over the main track.
The switch will later be replaced by a shorter variant.
October 29, 2019
To reach the end point on the terrace without reversing,
this loop was constructed.
The switch in the main track is still an R3 (22.5°) switch, but will become an R1 (30°) switch.
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October 29, 2019
The slope is ready and the overhead line will follow soon.
On the old slope, the overhead line still follows the old route, even though the track has already been diverted.
December 21, 2019
The R1 (30°) switch has been placed and the overhead line has been extended to the terminus.
But more has happened, the railway yard has also changed (again).
The bed has been widened and the track plan adjusted.
December 24, 2019
Construction is also underway on the other side of the track.
This is where the depot area is created with the newly extended locomotive shed in the background.
The just completed overhead line from the loop to the terrace is visible on the left.
In this project, the overhead line would be extended to this locomotive shed, however
it didn't get that far anymore due to new adjustments.
December 31, 2019
It will take another half day before 2020 arrives...
The progress since August is clearly visible in this overview photo.
Almost the entire track is equipped with ballast, except for the depot area.
However, things would largely change during 2020, although the route of the main track remained largely the same.
Many projects completed so far would change drastically or even disappear completely, including 2019...