A 5" gauge private railroad -- currently under construction

The Sandy River & Rangeley Lakes Railroad existed for a short time in Maine on the upper east coast of the United States. It was dismantled in 1935. As many of my current modelling projects centre around this railroad it is fitting to name the railroad the SR&RL, the Southern Division came about because this version is in the land down under! The layout of the mainline loosely follows that of the Kingfield area of Maine.

The mainline construction is in two, possible three stages. Current trackage on the ground is just over 400 metres and eight switches. Stage 1 is a circular route of 206 metres. Stage 2 has been modified to take an easier route through another paddock and will increase the stage 1 route to 500m. Perhaps I might one day extend the line from the western end of stage 1 to a dam below with a line, yet to be surveyed, of between 300 and 400 metres distant with a loop around the dam wall and return via the same line giving a complete run of about 1500 metres.

The first steam up and trail run of the track took place on 27 January 2007, a great way to celebrate on the Australia day weekend. A few friends and family came along to share the moment.

An easterly view of the proposed station area.	A "golden spike" moment as the last section of track completes the loop.
The trestle bridge will be located between the mounds of dirt. The bridge will be 5 metres long and 500mm high on a 40ft radius curve. An embankment will be built up at each end of the bridge abutments to level the track.	A south-easterly view of the completed bridge section.
The track on the left is the new branch line extension from the mainline to the shed. This is so I can steam up at the house and simply drive the train down to the main. Visitors with locos up to 6ft long can use this arrangement until the turntable and steamup bays are completed.	The new branch line to the shed with a secondary branch that will take the firewood trains around the shed to the wood pile on the other side of the house. Thanks to the Wandong club for the inspiration!
The first passenger train prepares to leave the shed loco on the new branch line.	The train continues along the new line towards the main line
The train finally got to try out the line.	Caboose 556 looks at home on the line!
The turntable under restoration. The side frames and bulkheads were all that remained of the original.	The turntable pit cut-out with its 100 tonne of spoil in the background.
The turntable in place in the pit. It is a 10.5" scale NSW 75ft turntable originally built by Steve Cilia. The deck is 4m long! A traverser is being built to roll out onto the road to unload cars/trailers etc.	No, they aren't wombat holes! Getting ready for the service bays. The ring under the turntable is to be concreted for a running rail to support the turntable ends as it is an authentic balancing turntable.
The mainline can just be seen above the turntable. The handrails are modelled after the Moss Vale turntable.	The temporary loading facilities until the turntable is ready. It works fine but suited to the smaller models only.
All the switches have been fitted with an American style switch stand modelled after a type found on the SR&RL. The red disc means you are taking the branch line.	When you switch to the straightaway, a white diamond is shown. The beauty of these is that you can clearly see from a distance which way the road is set.
A more recent view of the turntable area showing the completed retaining wall.	The new branch line crosses the driveway to the quarry (ballast pile). It is also the beginning of the 300m extension.
The triangle as viewed from the quarry line.	The triangle as viewed from the station end.
The triangle as viewed from the bridge. Compare this view with the second photo above.	The station area is complete. Compare this view with the first photo above. The line off to the lower left will be the other end of the 300m extension.
Early work on the roadbed for the 300m extension.	More early work on the roadbed for the 300m extension.