Always good when you change your mind and find out most of what you did wasn’t needed.
True, but at least I found out before I poured concrete/etc…
Day 17 - April 22nd, 2017. I pound in the final PVC posts. All that remains before raising is handling the rain garden. These posts will be set in cinder blocks filled with concrete and some will be put into 4x4’s.
Day 18 - April 24th, 2017. A video that is different from most of the past ones. I came up with two different methods for PVC post for the rain garden.
One puts the poles in cinder blocks. I put T sections on the bottom of each one to prevent it from coming out. I never used PVC cement so I may still be able to pull them apart. Never tried though. Figure if they ever came apart I could add PVC cement later.
The other solution was for the rain garden soil itself. I want to eventually swap the posts with bridge supports and a bridge. For now, I use 4x4 posts horizontally and deck blocks.
Day 19 - April 25th, 2017. I finish off the work in the rain garden, and move on to raising the rail bed. This is when I discover the inaccuracies of using a level to go along. I started at one end of the curve and by the time I get back up to where the tracks are parallel I find they are off by quite a bit. I move on to reinforcing weak areas of the PVC with horizontal pieces and Tee’s.
Later that night, not covered in video, I use a laser level and some painter’s tape to mark off each of the posts so I do not have to worry about the level drifiting as I go. Worked wonderfully.
OK Nicolas, I have a question. On day 17’s video I see you putting in poles and laying out cynder blocks. Is this area inside your yard or open to the public?
Chuck Inlow said:
OK Nicolas, I have a question. On day 17’s video I see you putting in poles and laying out cynder blocks. Is this area inside your yard or open to the public?
Well it’s not fenced in if that is what you are asking. There’s a rather big ditch running along the side of my house, and then a yard and then rain garden. So in that sense it is open to the public, if they are willing to jump the ditch.
Why do you ask?
Nicolas Teeuwen said:
Chuck Inlow said:
OK Nicolas, I have a question. On day 17’s video I see you putting in poles and laying out cynder blocks. Is this area inside your yard or open to the public?
Well it’s not fenced in if that is what you are asking. There’s a rather big ditch running along the side of my house, and then a yard and then rain garden. So in that sense it is open to the public, if they are willing to jump the ditch.
Why do you ask?
Why we ask is the possibility of vandalism!
I posted my shed design earlier. Beginning the foundation. Initially I was going to do concrete but i gave up on that cuz it was expensive, more then one person job, and well it can shift and crack. I want my shed to be as stable as the pvc posts/track bed since the trains drive into it.
Second plan was to dig holes, fill with gravel, and then put deck blocks on the gravel. I would use 2 fence posts to secure the shed from being lifted.
As I planned it though, I realized the shed needs to be built and then set i place as there’s only a 6 inch gap between the shed and the fence. Won’t be able to paint or easily screw in the stuff on the fence side.
New plan. Dig 6 holes, fill with concrete and put one of the metal post holders in each hole. Secure 4x4 to the bottom of the shed frame and bolt that to the metal posts.
Thoughts?
Joe Zullo said:
Nicolas Teeuwen said:
Chuck Inlow said:
OK Nicolas, I have a question. On day 17’s video I see you putting in poles and laying out cynder blocks. Is this area inside your yard or open to the public?
Well it’s not fenced in if that is what you are asking. There’s a rather big ditch running along the side of my house, and then a yard and then rain garden. So in that sense it is open to the public, if they are willing to jump the ditch.
Why do you ask?
Why we ask is the possibility of vandalism!
I have two security cameras mounted on in my yard. They alert me if there is activity in my yard. A bit chatty at night due to car lights that go buy but pretty solid during day light hours in only alerting me if something is in my yard moving that shouldn’t be there. I will be adding small signs eventually alerting visitors that the premises are under 24 hour survellience.
A fence in some ways would make it easier for vandals to sneak in and do things without the worry of being seen.
Good Luck!
“I have two security cameras mounted on in my yard. A bit chatty at night due to car lights that go buy but pretty solid during day light hours in only alerting me if something is in my yard moving that shouldn’t be there”.
"A fence in some ways would make it easier for vandals to sneak in and do things without the worry of being seen".
Did you mean to write that? Plus a ditch to hide in? What section of Seattle do you live in? I need some more trains!
Claymores, Concertina wire, and Aiming Stakes have always worked for me. 
Michael Kirrene said:
“I have two security cameras mounted on in my yard. A bit chatty at night due to car lights that go buy but pretty solid during day light hours in only alerting me if something is in my yard moving that shouldn’t be there”.
"A fence in some ways would make it easier for vandals to sneak in and do things without the worry of being seen".
Did you mean to write that? Plus a ditch to hide in? What section of Seattle do you live in? I need some more trains!
Yes. I am on a a street corner in which in plenty of people pass to walk to the park and cars pass as its somewhat a busy road. If there were people in my yard, they’d be visible to those passing by.
I don’t keep my trains in my yard when I am not home. They will always be locked up and secured.
Steve Featherkile said:
Claymores, Concertina wire, and Aiming Stakes have always worked for me.
and this:
My Grandmother use to have a small sign on her front door: “This House is protected by Smith & Wesson 6 days a week. You guess which ones”.
Hmmm, mebbe we should tone this down a bit.
Nicolas Teeuwen said:
If there were people in my yard, they’d be visible to those passing by.
You’re very trusting, Nick. These days “those passing by” usually don’t give a rat’s posterior what goes on in other people’s yards. They’re not looking for anything out of the ordinary and most stay out of other people’s business. Unless…it’s the nosey old lady across the street looking between her curtains all the time or unless you live where there’s a “Neighborhood Watch” program. You have to rely on your own security precautions instead of people passing by or neighbors watching your house. But it’s always good to know your neighbors and share your phone numbers in case they see something strange and suspicious. Many people don’t do that these days - in fact most people in my neighborhood keep to themselves. Invest in remote security cameras (HD) accessable through your smartphone. A Doberman with sharp teeth also helps to guard the yard. Name him Guido or Vito.
Why not Tony while you’re at it? 
In the beginning there was worry.
A decade later I’m still amazed nothing has been taken by people.
Critters how ever, have no morals! I still don’t know where that 20" of firehose and the scratch built nozzle went!
While I admit I am somewhat remote, my property is also the most convenient to turn around, so I do get an occassional invader. Rather than being vandals, one lost couple asked for permission to take pictures!
Now then, unless that ditch is deeper than it looks on Day 17, a mountain bike could/should be able to quickly cross it, a grab and go… Some days we can get distracted… so the warnings are fair, but perhaps a tad over zealous. My track is screwed together and trying to take some is a chore… rolling stock and yawn a nap would be nice as I listen to them roll… clickety clack zzzzz
When I wake with a start it’s to check for derailments! But you might want to count your cars…
John