Garden RGS Construction – Part 3
Building the Matterhorn “table” section
At the high end of the railroad, the elevation above the ground makes it prohibitive to build a retaining wall, so I am going to use a table to elevate the tracks.
![](https://i2.wp.com/shilling-or.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Matterhorn.png?fit=1024%2C393)
Conventional construction of two 10-foot long, 2-feet wide sections. I’m using treated lumber for everything structural. I got “deck” screws designed for treated lumber: coated with something.
![](https://i0.wp.com/shilling-or.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/20190519_142655.jpg?fit=1024%2C768)
![](https://i2.wp.com/shilling-or.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/20190602_113050.jpg?fit=1024%2C768)
I used a string level to set the grade to 2.5%, which is a 3-inch rise in 10 feet.
![](https://i0.wp.com/shilling-or.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/20190602_113121.jpg?fit=1024%2C768)
![](https://i1.wp.com/shilling-or.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/20190602_113139.jpg?fit=1024%2C768)
I used Urethane foam post mix instead of cement. The way it tended to gush out into a hole because the bag was “floppy” was a problem. In the future, I’m going to get the Urethane in gallon bottles and mix what I need.
![](https://i0.wp.com/shilling-or.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/20190602_173221.jpg?fit=768%2C1024)
The angled sections were difficult, but having an accurate CAD drawing with accurate angles made it doable.
![](https://i1.wp.com/shilling-or.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/20190608_162657.jpg?fit=768%2C1024)
Labeling the cuts helped to keep all these similar angles and wood pieces straight. Even with all that, I cut one piece 1-inch too short and had to re-cut it.
![](https://i0.wp.com/shilling-or.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/20190609_092739.jpg?fit=768%2C1024)
The last two curved sections are read to secure in place. I wised-up and used stakes pounded into the ground and screwed the table sections to them instead of “floppy” boards and clamps.
![](https://i0.wp.com/shilling-or.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/20190616_102919.jpg?fit=1024%2C768)
I covered the frames with 1/4″ hardware cloth, stapled in place.
![](https://i2.wp.com/shilling-or.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/20190618_063214.jpg?fit=768%2C1024)
I ripped a treated two-by-four in half at a slight angle to form side-rails that will keep the soil and ballast on the table.
![](https://i0.wp.com/shilling-or.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/20190630_173643.jpg?fit=1024%2C768)
I used a heavy, professional-grade ground barrier on top of the hardware cloth to provide drainage and keep the soil in place.
![](https://i0.wp.com/shilling-or.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/20190703_072646.jpg?fit=1024%2C768)
Next time: Building turnouts and track.
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