The first track into the front yard required clearing away a jasmine which had sprawled on the ground for years. After cutting it back the remainder was tied up against the wall. Laying roadbed proceeded from there. The concrete pavers were installed by pulling away the red pumice rock, getting to bare dirt, building support for the top paver, then filling back in as the roadbed progressed.
The 7% grade continued through the bridge and up into the front yard. Track was installed as the roadbed advanced, adhered to the concrete block roadbed with construction adhesive. The red bricks are adding pressure for a day to make for good adhesion. As the track climbed, it had to swing around some of the established plantings, and then cut back toward the house to have enough room in the relatively narrow front yard for a 5' radius curve.
The 7% grade ends near the house where the front yard faucet and main water shut off valve are located. Here we see it after the roadbed has been installed, and then later, after area was improved.
To allow the track to swing around, the right of way cut into an existing flower bed. Here we see the road bed advancing toward the bed to be modified, now climbing at a more modest 4% as it crosses the front yard.
Plants were relocated, and stones shifted, making room for the new roadbed.
The area within the track will become a flagstone patio. The wooden landing defines the access across the track. The track then swings back toward the house to clear the large manzanita bush. The north end passing siding is level, allowing cars to be spotted.
This is the western end switch of North End siding. The track will extend a little further with a western grade crossing.
The next step is to complete the upgrade of the front yard, using flagstones to construct the patio and a walkway to the driveway. The proposed patio area needed to be leveled, requiring retaining wall blocks along the right of way, and removal of the red pumice. Here the eastern portion of the retaining blocks are installed, and the pumice removal has begun.
At this point all the pumice is gone, preparing for the eastern portion of the patio. The dirt has been leveled out, getting ready for flagstones.
Flagstones are being laid in a bed of sand.
The flagstones are being grouted with polymeric sand, brushed in dry, and when watered, sets up solid.
The rest of the retaining wall block has been installed along the right of way, and the pumice rock removed.
The patio steps up heading toward the west, bringing it closer to the level of the track for the western grade crossing. Here we see the step in place, ready for more flagstones to be laid.
Grade crossings have been installed, and the track ballasted on the eastern part of the patio.
Here is a close look at the eastern grade crossing.
This is a view of the finished patio looking west.
This is a view of the finished patio looking east.
Another small retaining wall was needed to deal with the contours of the front yard. You can also see the current end of track, which ends phase 7 of construction, at the left to the photo.
In the next phase, track will again begin climbing at 7% from the current end of track, across a trestle to the corner of the house. Still climbing, it will extend on a shelf attached to the western wall of the house, heading to the back deck. The house will need some construction upgrades first, as the west wall has suffered weather exposure. I hope to fire harden the wall by applying Hardy board siding, as well as a new coat of paint. The track will have to cross above the driveway, at a height to clear car traffic, either on a dedicated bridge, or as part of a small deck. It will then arrive at the final destination of the back deck. But the deck framing structure has to be upgraded as well. Altogether, what remains is about 70' of track, but it may be awhile before rail delivery to the deck is a reality.