For those interested in track details, with the exception of the steaming bay areas, it is being constructed to a 5" narrow gauge standard using 5/8" (16mm) high aluminium flat bottom rail spiked to treated wooden sleepers spaced at 4" intervals. The sides and bottom webs of the rails are painted to give a more authentic weathered & rusty image to the track. Rails are joined using commercial zinc plated fishplates and bolts. Where appropriate, track is being laid on 18" wide foundation strips of concrete, edged with vertically set coping stones to retain limestone/granite chip ballast. Sleepers are periodically screwed onto the concrete base to avoid track lifting and track expansion joints are being inserted at appropriate locations, principally near to points/crossings. Embankments with stone walls will be incorporated where required together with girder bridge sections.
We are fortunate to have a free-draining site which so far has not necessitated any special drainage provisions, which are often required for the larger scale ground level railway.
A minimum curve radius of 33 feet (10 metres) is being maintained throughout to allow the use of bogie carriage stock and locomotives with longer wheelbases, albeit to narrow gauge design. Steepest gradients are at present 1 in 70, slightly easier than the climb through the Nunnery Cutting to Port Soderick!
If you have any comments, suggestions or enquiries, email comptonridge.rly@virgin.net