The Summerdale Line - Overview
Ill try and keep this as simple as possible. The line starts in my shed. In the shed there is a short double-sided platform, a couple of locomotive storage sidings, a coaling siding with staithes, a freight siding and a private freight siding. A single track leaves the shed through a hole cut in the wall, which has been made into a 'tunnel'. The line runs up to almost the top of my garden in a relatively straight line. Although it may not be apparent, the entire line is infact a constant gradient.
The top end of the line, or the 'Terminus', is a double-sided platform. No goods sidings as yet, although some are on the drawing board. The entire station is also on a gradient just like the rest of the line. Lone rolling stock [loco-less stock] cannot be left at the terminus on its own, as it will roll down the line! The only advantage this constant gradient brings is if a coupling were to fail on the return journey - the stock would simply follow behind the loco anyway.
I intend to run several different motive power fleets on the line. More details, specs and pictures can be seen on the Motive Power page. The three fleets will eventually be a Steam British Rail fleet [early & late BR stock], an Steam SR fleet and a modern/recent Diesel/Electric fleet. The only evidence of the latter is a Hornby NSE Class 50! There is no evidence of the S.R fleet at present.
With whichever fleet that is running I always try and have a Station Pilot loco on duty. For the BR fleet the current pilot is a BR A1X Class "Terrier". The purpose of this loco is to remain on station duties e.g preparing a coaches for a passenger train. These locos rarely, if ever, leave the station on outbound duties.
I have yet to purchase a Station Pilot for my S.R and Modern Image fleets, although I have no doubt another Terrier & a Class 08 will be the loco's of choice.
Unlike some garden railways, I have chosen to add scenery/landscaping to the indoor sections [in the shed]. Pictures of the progress can be seen on the Pictures section.
Ill try and keep this as simple as possible. The line starts in my shed. In the shed there is a short double-sided platform, a couple of locomotive storage sidings, a coaling siding with staithes, a freight siding and a private freight siding. A single track leaves the shed through a hole cut in the wall, which has been made into a 'tunnel'. The line runs up to almost the top of my garden in a relatively straight line. Although it may not be apparent, the entire line is infact a constant gradient.
The top end of the line, or the 'Terminus', is a double-sided platform. No goods sidings as yet, although some are on the drawing board. The entire station is also on a gradient just like the rest of the line. Lone rolling stock [loco-less stock] cannot be left at the terminus on its own, as it will roll down the line! The only advantage this constant gradient brings is if a coupling were to fail on the return journey - the stock would simply follow behind the loco anyway.
I intend to run several different motive power fleets on the line. More details, specs and pictures can be seen on the Motive Power page. The three fleets will eventually be a Steam British Rail fleet [early & late BR stock], an Steam SR fleet and a modern/recent Diesel/Electric fleet. The only evidence of the latter is a Hornby NSE Class 50! There is no evidence of the S.R fleet at present.
With whichever fleet that is running I always try and have a Station Pilot loco on duty. For the BR fleet the current pilot is a BR A1X Class "Terrier". The purpose of this loco is to remain on station duties e.g preparing a coaches for a passenger train. These locos rarely, if ever, leave the station on outbound duties.
I have yet to purchase a Station Pilot for my S.R and Modern Image fleets, although I have no doubt another Terrier & a Class 08 will be the loco's of choice.
Unlike some garden railways, I have chosen to add scenery/landscaping to the indoor sections [in the shed]. Pictures of the progress can be seen on the Pictures section.
The Summerdale Line
© Copyright 2006