Running Minimal Gauge at Ravensprings Park, Driver Rosie's view MVI 6354

Part of my temporary track layouts is a Drivers View Video, as it is about the best way to record the track plan. The grass was wet, which helps smoothen the tracks, but also requires waterproof footwear. Points can be switched wit a gentle nudge with my big toe, the steel toe builder's boots didn't make it easier, at min. 1.09 I hit the switch blade tips and the tram stops abruptly. No damage done, so I bent over and switched by hand.
The balloon loop has a sprung point and a transition curve leading into it. The loop itself has no transition curves (I ran out of material and time)
Total length of track is 90 metres, switches included. One lap is about 60 metres.
The early morning rain had just stopped, local birdlfe enjoyed it too and made a nice background soundscape.

[@DieseloveMotoryDOTsk]

1.8m radius??? If I didn't see, I wouldn't believe. Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed! 😀 ....amazing...

[@JohnM1774]

I am VERY IMPRESSED with the track work. Much "special work" went into this railroad. Very nice indeed!

[@caroleast9636]

3:37 Great track work Rosie. Shows what you can do if you put your mind to it. Building your own is the best way to learn how all this stuff needs to be to work properly.

[@BruceCichowlas]

Thrilling perspective on turns! Sort of like a Wild Mouse roller coaster.

[@Humulator]

i want that track in my yard, its looks so fun to play with

[@APERTUREAEC]

i very much agree

[@kraftovacibedna242]

I wanted it all mY life

[@johnnixon9745]

Thank you for the information and the web site, something nobody else has given to me. It will really help out. Thank you again!

[@tracynation2820]

An excellent video. Hello from the Tracy Mountain Railway in Colorado. 💙 T.E.N.

[@karltriebel4262]

HS2 is coming along nicely I see!

[@samuelhulme8347]

Lol

[@jugbywellington1134]

This is great! Bravo!

[@03creeperboy]

nice work

[@VojtovySumavskeVlakyCZ]

Beautiful video like and subscribed from Czech Republic 👍👍👍👍🙂

[@kalpeshwani8520]

All in one combo pack....... Choose asper your choice....

[@9C85-g4b]

Just when I thought I wouldn't be able to get a railway in my garden I find this video. I have contacted a garden railway loco manufacturer today and they state that their minimum radius is 18 ft ( 6 metres). I have seen other minimalist railway video's which state 2 metres. I have a lawn 4 metres wide which I could possibly squeeze an oval into?

[@NJAllen-xl5qi]

I love seeing your work. I'm curious about how your bogies are built. Do you have a web page as well?

[@rosiejanebongers9944]

Sorry no web page. I'm working on an article about the bogies, they had quite some interest at this event. The first pair was built some 20 years ago, the second pair are heavier built and I'm trying to incorperate some suspension, after 3 failed attempts the last version ran surprisingly good, this weekend was the first temprary track trial, it needs a little refining. In essence it is a three point compensated construction with bearings in the wheels, the axles don't rotate.

[@NJAllen-xl5qi]

@@rosiejanebongers9944 Thank you. I look forward to comparing notes. I'm designing some of my own in 10-1/4 for easy construction, locally sourced materials and reliability. Your projects have been very inspiring.

[@raymondleggs5508]

next challenge.. Steam!!

[@johnnixon9745]

Where do you get trains like this at? Where do you buy them at? Any other gauges offered? Prices?

[@rosiejanebongers9944]

Look around at the miniature railway clubs and model engineering societies, watch and learn, check 200 years of railway construction history, both stock and track. Engage brains and muscle and build from scratch. Don't stop at mistakes, improve and carry on for ten years or so. I just like driving on complicated layouts, I love switches, take the railway to where it's never been before. In the advertising section of the 7 1/4" Gauge Society website sevenandaquarter.org/ there's everything from parts to ready to run models and minimal gauge products. But all railway stock and track you see in the video is built by myself.

[@alanm3438]

That must have taken a lot of work.............................

[@rosiejanebongers9944]

I have been building tracks, points and stock for about 35 years, this layout took about a day to set up. Most was built between 1999 and 2009. I have more but was restricted in transport capacity. It all fitted in a Volvo 340 plus trailer, which might have been slightly overweight. In all I have about 250 meters of track, 13 switches, and a single and a double slip. The long sleek switch is built for the Stoomgroep West Zuiderpark in The Hague, the portable club track is interchangable with mine though with 10 meter radius. That switch was on trial before I would start building more of those. I was preparing to do so but something very small had a big impact on normal life...

[@bototmeong4955]

wow it's amazing how much it can make mini craze at home 🤔 how much it costs to make like that 🤔🤔🤔

[@rosiejanebongers9944]

About 10 years of hard work, cutting, filing, bending and welding

[@Isochest]

What track gauge is this. Beautiful switches. I love the single and double slip!

[@rosiejanebongers9944]

7 1/4 inch, nominal 184 mm, but to negotiate the tight (1,8 m, 6 ft) radius curves there's 2 mm gauge widening, so in effect it's 186 mm

[@jashugg]

@@rosiejanebongers9944 that makes sense, on 2’ gauge which is 610mm we allow 620mm on curves to minimise flange wear.

[@kalpeshwani8520]

Add a lever joystick mechanism .... Help you switch tracks while on board.....

[@vk-fz4dt]

Greetings! Do you have rails and switches made by yourself, or did you buy them?

[@rosiejanebongers9944]

Everything is made by me, trackwork and rolling stock. Track is made from square box steel 15x15x1,5 mm, sections 1 meter long. Switches are made from 15x15x2 mm, a little more 'flesh' to aide the fine technical details like blades.

[@vk-fz4dt]

@@rosiejanebongers9944 Thanks for the answer! Your four-way switches is just perfect! I'm planning something similar from a 40x20x2 box steel to a 300mm gauge. Are your wheelsets also homemade?

[@benjima100]

is this smaller than 5 inch gauge?

[@rosiejanebongers9944]

It is 7 1/4 inch gauge, with 2 mm gauge widening

[@willhooker9567]

Maybe 15in

[@willhooker9567]

Nvm lol

[@paulnicoll1791]

I need a bigger garden

[@jugbywellington1134]

Me too!

[@samuelhulme8347]

I need a useable and bigger garden

[@SteveSmith-hh5zf]

what gauge is it ?

[@rosiejanebongers9944]

7 1/4 inches, 184 mm nominal. To negotiate the 6 feet (1,8 m) radius I use 2 mm gauge widening. My rolling stock runs on many different 7.25 gauge layouts, and so most 0-4-0 engines will run on my track. Wheelbase shouldn't exceed 2 feet (60 cm) too much.

[@willhooker9567]

So is the a locomotive?

[@rosiejanebongers9944]

Check the other vids on my channel, loco is the battery electric tram, called 'Slakketram', (translated : Snailtram).

[@willhooker9567]

@@rosiejanebongers9944 Ok, thanks!

[@user-tr6ss9mn8z]

新幹線🚄♡新幹線🚅