Petersbridge

[JasonB]

Hi guys. So after spending the last number of years running trains on my Dad's layout, I finally gave in to temptation a while back and decided to put a plan in place to make some sort of start on a layout of my own. So this is the first of what will hopefully be many more updates from Petersbridge over the coming month's and beyond. But before anything else the layout obviously needed a home. Here's the progress to date...

First thing to do was submit planning permission to her indoors, and after spending a week or so convincing her that the back garden wouldn't be completely ruined with what I wanted to plonk into it (plus some heavy bribery) permission was eventually granted.

With the green light given the next couple of weekends were spent clearing some small trees and hedging on one side of the garden. This hadn't been part of the original plan but after a rethink and some more measuring I felt I could gain a little more space and decided to go for it while the going was good.

With the area now cleared and marked out, in went a concrete base. Again this wasn't originally planned and was another added cost but I felt long term it was the right way to go considering the size of the frame going in and the problems you can face with damp etc further down the line. With the hard graft now out of the way and the concrete set I could finally make the call to have the new man cave delivered.

Unfortunately, with one thing and another the only progress made since the pictures above were taken earlier this year is that the outside has had a couple of coats of paint. But its now back at the top of my to do list and my priority over the next few weeks is to insulate the interior and get some power connected before the winter really takes hold. Once this is done I can then start thinking about the baseboards.

Obviously there's absolutely nothing to look at regarding a railway at the moment and some might even be thinking what's the point of the post? But I felt it was time to start the thread somewhere and I thought why not from the very beginning, from the ground up so to speak, and update from here on in. With regards to the layout itself I've plenty to be getting on with when it comes to various buildings and scenics etc without the need for the baseboards to be in place, so I will be cracking on with some of those smaller jobs over the coming weeks also.

[ttc0169]

Best of luck with your new project Jason.

[murrayec]

Nice space there Jason, this is going to be fun to watch develop.

My only suggestion on the shed, and you have probably considered this- is to install roof gutters and down pipes. This will stop water dripping from the corrugated sheeted roof onto the wall, generally it hits the wall low down and causes dampness to the lower planks and the floor edge if no guttering is installed.

Also the added extension of the gutters weather the wall better from the rain.

Eoin

[heirflick]

best of luck with the build - if I may suggest - be sure there are no leaks anywhere in the roof or walls before you insulate. My bunker was leaking for months as the complete gobshite who put the roof on placed the felt length ways and they didn't even overlap the felt at the apex of the roof.  It proved very costly to repair as the whole roof and insulation had to be replaced! 

[JasonB]

19 hours ago, ttc0169 said:

Best of luck with your new project Jason.

Thanks Noel, long long way to go yet but it's a start I suppose  

 

19 hours ago, murrayec said:

Nice space there Jason, this is going to be fun to watch develop.

My only suggestion on the shed, and you have probably considered this- is to install roof gutters and down pipes. This will stop water dripping from the corrugated sheeted roof onto the wall, generally it hits the wall low down and causes dampness to the lower planks and the floor edge if no guttering is installed.

Also the added extension of the gutters weather the wall better from the rain.

Eoin

Cheers Eoin, thanks for the advice. Yes I've already looked at installing the gutters and it's definitely something that needs doing sooner rather than later. Your spot on regarding the rain water running down the sides. I've only recently noticed it myself with the change in weather and it's certainly something that could cause problems down the road if it wasn't addressed. 

 

18 hours ago, heirflick said:

best of luck with the build - if I may suggest - be sure there are no leaks anywhere in the roof or walls before you insulate. My bunker was leaking for months as the complete gobshite who put the roof on placed the felt length ways and they didn't even overlap the felt at the apex of the roof.  It proved very costly to repair as the whole roof and insulation had to be replaced! 

Nice and secure on that front heirflick  

[Broithe]

15 minutes ago, jason brady said:

Cheers Eoin, thanks for the advice. Yes I've already looked at installing the gutters and it's definitely something that needs doing sooner rather than later. Your spot on regarding the rain water running down the sides. I've only recently noticed it myself with the change in weather and it's certainly something that could cause problems down the road if it wasn't addressed. 

Often a greater problem, which it will also greatly reduce, is splash from the soil at the base - a great rot-promoter.

And you can let The Authorities know that you have made such great efforts to collect rainwater for the plants in their beloved garden....

[burnthebox]

Congrats Jason on your progress, that's looking like a very impressive location, ( man shed ) & your right in getting the all important issues of insulation done, before you start on the railway, no matter how eager you may be, I know just how eager one can get...! to my own disappointment ..  So keep on with your plans & let us know how you're doing, best of luck...

Paul

[JasonB]

7 hours ago, burnthebox said:

Congrats Jason on your progress, that's looking like a very impressive location, ( man shed ) & your right in getting the all important issues of insulation done, before you start on the railway, no matter how eager you may be, I know just how eager one can get...! to my own disappointment ..  So keep on with your plans & let us know how you're doing, best of luck...

Paul

Cheers Paul. Yes I have to admit the temptation to just get things up and running after the shed went in was certainly there. But I was adamant I wanted to do this right from the very beginning, so hopefully it will pay off down the line. 

[heirflick]

Remember Jason what I said about double checking for leaks?  The rain over the last few days caused a major leak that I had to take a section from the ceiling and wall to find the source

[JasonB]

11 minutes ago, heirflick said:

Remember Jason what I said about double checking for leaks?  The rain over the last few days caused a major leak that I had to take a section from the ceiling and wall to find the source

Believe it or not i was only thinking about what you said in your post a couple of weeks back, and first thing I done yesterday evening when I got home was went out and checked the shed considering the combination of strong winds and heavy rain. Still no issues on that front I'm pleased to report, but I'll certainly be keeping an eye on it over the winter 

[GNRi1959]

On 11/11/2018 at 11:20 AM, Broithe said:

Often a greater problem, which it will also greatly reduce, is splash from the soil at the base - a great rot-promoter.

And you can let The Authorities know that you have made such great efforts to collect rainwater for the plants in their beloved garden....

One way of combatting the splash of soil is to install a concrete flag around the perimeter of the shed. I have been able to do this one all sides except one and it works. The rear end of the shed is close to a tree and from time to time I run a small hand brush over the surface to clear the dusty soil deposit. I am considering fitting a clear perspex strip to the lower base of the shed here to protect it. 

[Mayner]

Driving rain tracking in between the concrete slab and floor seems to be the biggest risk with your shed, the floor slab appears to be high enough off the ground to minimise the risk of rainwater water splash causing problems.

The flashing detail to the barges is not great and could be improved, on the plus side corrugated iron and  weatherboard are very effective cladding systems and will last indefinitely once they are installed correctly and adequately maintained, our house was built in 1924 most of the weatherboard and timber framing is original, original roofing iron replaced after 70-80 years

I would look seriously at adding another strip of weather board (rustic or shiplap) or ripping a strip of treated plywood to provide a min 50mm overlap between the weatherboard and the concrete slab as detailed below.

If its to last any length of time pine weatherboard should be painted with a paint system such as Dulux Weathershield or Wattyl Solaguard. (Primer and min 2 coats)

Detail are from NZS Standard for Timber Frame Building so the timber sections and concrete slab design is heavier but the basic principals can be applied to a garden shed.

 

 

A purpose made barge flashing and closing in the end of the ridge will provide better protection to the gables than the current arrangement.

The correct metal flashings are fairly inexpensive.

Rilco Roofing Products or Tegral should be able to point you in the right direction.

Edited December 17, 2018 by Mayner

[murrayec]

Hi Jason

Where does one stop! Though John has a valid point about the slab edge detail, though I would not close off the void under the floor fully, all the timbers in the void need air ventilation from the underside.

Here is an idea that I have used in the past- a galvanised steel drip pressing installed behind the lower weather sheeting plank, dressed up behind the sheeting and fixed to the studs, the lower plank has to be removed to do this! the drip pressing is carried outwards and then down to cover the conc slab edge with a little turn up to create a drip. Rodent mesh could be installed behind to close off creature access into the void under the floor but still allow ventilation.....

The flashing out turn should be about 10mm below the the weather sheeting so that water is not held up against the timber edge.

If you consider doing something like this, do the barges also as John suggests- it will pay for it's self in the end!

Eoin

 

 

[Mayner]

3 hours ago, murrayec said:

Hi Jason

Where does one stop! Though John has a valid point about the slab edge detail, though I would not close off the void under the floor fully, all the timbers in the void need air ventilation from the underside.

Here is an idea that I have used in the past- a galvanised steel drip pressing installed behind the lower weather sheeting plank, dressed up behind the sheeting and fixed to the studs, the lower plank has to be removed to do this! the drip pressing is carried outwards and then down to cover the conc slab edge with a little turn up to create a drip. Rodent mesh could be installed behind to close off creature access into the void under the floor but still allow ventilation.....

The flashing out turn should be about 10mm below the the weather sheeting so that water is not held up against the timber edge.

If you consider doing something like this, do the barges also as John suggests- it will pay for it's self in the end!

Eoin

 

 

Eoin's detail is spot on & should prevent any long term problems at floor level.

[GNRi1959]

These remedies are all fine but most garden sheds, including mine, came pre-built. So unless you are willing to remove the bottom TG&V boards you will have to look at other solutions. Forming an apron with flags around is one, placing a PVC land drain around the base of the shed is another and thank god I also have the shelter provided by a big maple tree that forms some shelter.

[Broithe]

Another variation would be to take the flashing under the bottom horizontal stud of the wall panel, avoiding any removal issues.

[GNRi1959]

This is why I decided to build a layout that was NOT permanently fixed inside my shed. If I have to abandon the shed I can carry the layout out too!

[JasonB]

Evening Gents, 

It's been a while since the first post way back in November 2018, but plans for the layout are still very much alive. The recent combination of some work being carried out around the house and my never ending battle with time, has resulted in progress on the shed being a little slower than I had hoped for of late. 

Although saying that, things are moving in the right direction, with the majority of work which needed doing now complete. So here's a quick update as to where I'm currently at... 

First to the exterior. Original windows have been taken out and replaced with double glazed pvc. It was another added cost, but the benefits have been well worth the investment. Gutters were tackled a couple of weekends back, along with covering the exposed area's of the frame with flashing. 

Site supervisor keeps a close eye on things  

As for the interior. Walls and roof have now been insulated, slabbed and skimmed. Floors have also been covered, and painting was finished last weekend. 

Just the electrics to sort now, and then I'll finally be ready to really start planning for the layout itself. 

[Warbonnet]

Lovely space Jason, great to see it come together! 

[JasonB]

46 minutes ago, Warbonnet said:

Lovely space Jason, great to see it come together! 

Cheers Fran. It's getting there slowly but surely. Things would be so much easier if life in general stopped getting in the way  

[RedRich]

Looking fantastic Jason I like the colour on the shed too.

Rich,

[David Holman]

Splendid, to say the least! What are the internal dimensions?

[JasonB]

19 minutes ago, RedRich said:

Looking fantastic Jason I like the colour on the shed too.

Rich,

Cheers Rich. Her Indoors picked the colours. Anything to keep her sweet after bulldozing half the back garden 

 

19 minutes ago, David Holman said:

Splendid, to say the least! What are the internal dimensions?

Thanks David. 20ft X 10ft overall, so I've a decent bit of space to play with when I'm eventually up and running. I was pushing for a little bigger but I ran out of luck in the end 

[Broithe]

That 'like' above is actually for Mrs B and her unnatural level of tolerance..............................................................▲

 

 

It's probably worth keeping her.

[murrayec]

JasonB

I would love to have a space like that, dying to see how you fill it up.......

Great work on gutters and flashings- you have added years to its life.

Eoin

[leslie10646]

Hi Jason

Great "Shed" - every man needs one.

I may need to re-read this thread if Portadown Jct gets re-located. Fortunately the other potential site has an enormous garden!

Slight worry, though - I noticed a MATTRESS inside - has she chucked you out in the cold?

 

[ttc0169]

So far so good-nice one Jason. Lots of potential there  

[DJ Dangerous]

Why no more updates to this one?

Did you end up turning it into a man-cave instead? Sofa, TV, fridge, weights etc?

[derek]

Hmmmmmmm............... Maybe this was an exercise in building the shed of all sheds, and everyone got on board?

[DJ Dangerous]

On 20/5/2023 at 5:38 PM, DJ Dangerous said:

Why no more updates to this one?

Did you end up turning it into a man-cave instead? Sofa, TV, fridge, weights etc?

 

Or maybe turntables and mixer, a couple of IKEA KALLAX units for your record collection, a smoke machine and some strobe lights?

Or a set for making amateur porn?

 

 

[JasonB]

Considering we are not far off the end of another year, I thought the time was right to finally draw a line under this thread and put it to bed. 

Unfortunately, for reasons completely out of my control, my plans for this layout never materialised. I don't normally discuss issues like this publicly, but I feel it's needed to properly explain the absence of any updates since 2020. 

Let me rewind back to 2019. I had invested in a large shed and now had the space required for a layout of my own. The problem was, I just couldn't find the spare time to tackle the build myself. So, I decided to contact a well known baseboard and layout builder. 

He called out in September 2019 as promised, and a plan was drawn up. Baseboards and track were to be supplied and fitted, along with the electrics, point motors and control panel. The price quoted was agreed and I gave him the go ahead. I was told to expect delivery sometime in 2020. The impression I was given, was this would be straightforward build. It wasn't. 

I won't go into the details of what was said across the many conversations that were had between then and 2024, but what I will say is, this period was filled with nothing but broken promises and in my opinion, lies. 

After numerous delivery dates were missed, I was assured in January of this year that I would have my layout in April. I knew deep down this date would not be met as promised. April came and went, and as expected, nothing.  

Finally, I was told at the beginning of December that I would not be getting the layout I had ordered four years previously. If I'm honest, it didn't come as a surprise, and in a way I was relieved that the whole sorry mess had at least, come to an end.  

Our railway community is quite small, and you'd like to think you can trust the individuals operating within it. Unfortunately, that's not always the case. 

The most annoying part about all of this is, if I had tackled the baseboards myself back in 2020, I'd now have a layout. The last four years have been a complete waste of time. It's very frustrating.

The whole experience has had a negative impact on my interest in the hobby, resulting in very little modelling on my part over the last couple of years. 

I really do hope this isn't the end of this thread. I'd like to to think at some stage I'll get a chance to revisit it. When, I just don't know.  

 

[murrayec]

Hi JasonB,

So sorry to hear the story, I was wondering what had happened.......

You could setup a quick temporary board with two 8X4' sheets, lay some track and run trains? Then in the future revisit Petersbridge when the above is a distant memory.

To the future......

Eoin

[Galteemore]

So disappointing for you. As ECM says, always worth keeping something up and running if you can - even a micro layout to keep the mojo going….

[derek]

10 hours ago, JasonB said:

Considering we are not far off the end of another year, I thought the time was right to finally draw a line under this thread and put it to bed. 

Unfortunately, for reasons completely out of my control, my plans for this layout never materialised. I don't normally discuss issues like this publicly, but I feel it's needed to properly explain the absence of any updates since 2020. 

Let me rewind back to 2019. I had invested in a large shed and now had the space required for a layout of my own. The problem was, I just couldn't find the spare time to tackle the build myself. So, I decided to contact a well known baseboard and layout builder. 

He called out in September 2019 as promised, and a plan was drawn up. Baseboards and track were to be supplied and fitted, along with the electrics, point motors and control panel. The price quoted was agreed and I gave him the go ahead. I was told to expect delivery sometime in 2020. The impression I was given, was this would be straightforward build. It wasn't. 

I won't go into the details of what was said across the many conversations that were had between then and 2024, but what I will say is, this period was filled with nothing but broken promises and in my opinion, lies. 

After numerous delivery dates were missed, I was assured in January of this year that I would have my layout in April. I knew deep down this date would not be met as promised. April came and went, and as expected, nothing.  

Finally, I was told at the beginning of December that I would not be getting the layout I had ordered four years previously. If I'm honest, it didn't come as a surprise, and in a way I was relieved that the whole sorry mess had at least, come to an end.  

Our railway community is quite small, and you'd like to think you can trust the individuals operating within it. Unfortunately, that's not always the case. 

The most annoying part about all of this is, if I had tackled the baseboards myself back in 2020, I'd now have a layout. The last four years have been a complete waste of time. It's very frustrating.

The whole experience has had a negative impact on my interest in the hobby, resulting in very little modelling on my part over the last couple of years. 

I really do hope this isn't the end of this thread. I'd like to to think at some stage I'll get a chance to revisit it. When, I just don't know.  

 

Hi Jason. What a complete balls up! Look,  I think we all  know the individual you are speaking about. This isn't the first time I have heard of his shoddy carry on and his  f*** you attitude to his customers. " If you don't like it , what are you gonna do about it". How he gets the time of day on here is beyond me. A well liked member of this community got same crap treatment from him as well, and has nothing good to say about him. . I have heard of delays on jobs, but 4 years tears the arse out of it completely. If I have the wrong guy in mind I will hold my hands up, but I doubt it. As the lads say above, take a deep breath and hopefully this won't put you off the hobby for good.

Derek.  

[Mayner]

Extremely frustration, I am in much the same situation I converted our garage into a railway room about 10 years ago and for one reason I have been unable to find time to build a layout, sometimes the unexpected happens and things do not go to plan!

Have you though of asking friends or the model railway community if anyone would be interested in helping out?

Sometimes private layouts are colloborative efforts where people help out with the build and operation, sometimes people travelling quite a distance to help out.

Several years ago I helped friends with baseboards and carry out tracklaying on their layouts one involving a 3 hr round trip.

Nearer home the owner of the Greystones layout exhibited in the 90s, built and exhibited the layout with the assistance of a group of friends and in Scotland Richard Chowns 7mm Waterford Limerick & Western Castle Rackrent layout was operated by a group of operators who regularly travelled to operating sessions on the layout before his death several years ago.