My pike has been up for a few years now and consists of brass track on various layers and sizes of gravel. I live in Western PA with cold winters and hot summers. I also live over old desserted coal mines so there is usually some ground settlement with every Spring. I've never used stainless track so I'm not sure if it "conforms" to the ever shifting terrain as soft brass does. These changes are not exclusively subsidance, as erosion, shifting gravel, and sun do some interesting things to the pike- I think I like it! I like to watch a consist through a long straight-a-way sway side-to-side, and dip up and down. Unless it gets bad enough to cause derailment, the heck with struggling to keep things straight and level! What's your take?
Stack
Interesting question. I normaly don't worry either about constant track adjustments seeking the "perfect" rails, I just let the trains run. But to each his own. I'm sure there are those that like the perfect rails, perfect trains etc and I think that is great if it is what motivates them to enjoy the hobby.
Perhaps somebody will come up with a working G model of a Dyna-CAT and we wouldn't have to worry anymore about bad track
The Dixie D Short Line "Lux Lucet In Tenebris Nihil Igitur Mors Est Ad Nos 2001"
I live in the Sierra Nevada and have the same problems with winter frost heave and summer temps. My brass track is floating on cut and fill roadbed. I kind of like watching trains going over the undulations and rolling side to side. Reminds me of some second class SP trackage.
If it works don't touch it. Enjoy.
Rob
tangerine-jack wrote: Interesting question. I normaly don't worry either about constant track adjustments seeking the "perfect" rails, I just let the trains run. But to each his own. I'm sure there are those that like the perfect rails, perfect trains etc and I think that is great if it is what motivates them to enjoy the hobby.
I have to agree with TJ. I repair track alignment only when it get bad enough to cause derailments. That translates to: 1) around the Koi Pond - about every 3~4 years, 2) through the wifes rose beds - every spring and fall and that is due to the track not being mounted on a proper roadbed, the track sits directly on top of the bark mulch covering the rosebed.
Tom Trigg
Hi guys
I tend to agree But with one small point and that is that sets of points (switches) are kept dead level both ways for the reliabilatie that gives.
The rest comes down to is it a main line railway or was it built under the light railways act.
But I have found some examples of backwoods railways that where equal to or would put some of the main lines to shame.
If it isn't causing trouble then leave it well alone.
regards John Busby
ttrigg wrote: through the wifes rose beds - every spring and fall and that is due to the track not being mounted on a proper roadbed, the track sits directly on top of the bark mulch covering the rosebed.
through the wifes rose beds - every spring and fall and that is due to the track not being mounted on a proper roadbed, the track sits directly on top of the bark mulch covering the rosebed.
And your wife allows this? Oh the horror, the shame!! Guess she likes pickn thorns out of ya fingers or what ever else hit it
Plan to buy one of those things from Split-Jaw. We have been way under in no rain and heat. We have gumbo as soil in places or just dig a few feet.
Toad
Hi Toad
Gumbo as soil translation please???
John Busby wrote: Hi ToadGumbo as soil translation please???regards John Busby
Sorry ole mate! It is very dense clay when wet is sticky but when dry it cracks apart and can be very large cracks. Last crack that I could fit my whole boot in was a bad at the ranch I grew up at. Cows could have broken there legs so had to fill the crack with sand.
I agree basicly except I keep switches level crosswise but on the same plain through out. In other word if my track is on a 2.5% grade than I mantain the 2.5% grade through the switch. This has always worked well for me in HO and now in G.
But, if it works don't touch it.
ToadFrog WhiteLightn wrote: ttrigg wrote: through the wifes rose beds And your wife allows this? Oh the horror, the shame!! Guess she likes pickn thorns out of ya fingers or what ever else hit it Toad
ttrigg wrote: through the wifes rose beds
Nah, she just sits there and LHAO!
ttrigg wrote: ToadFrog WhiteLightn wrote: ttrigg wrote: through the wifes rose beds And your wife allows this? Oh the horror, the shame!! Guess she likes pickn thorns out of ya fingers or what ever else hit it Toad Nah, she just sits there and LHAO!
Call me over for a Tejas BBQ and we will do some Rose Pruning
Lets wait awhile cause I went to work on G scale projects yesterday and left hand ain't up to par. Besides the old huge tree saw I need to clean up for this job!
ToadFrog WhiteLightn wrote: Call me over for a Tejas BBQ and we will do some Rose Pruning
If your planning to trim her roses, I hope you can out run double barrel double ought buck! The only thing I'm allowed to do with her roses is to clean up the petals that have fallen on the track.
ttrigg wrote: ToadFrog WhiteLightn wrote: Call me over for a Tejas BBQ and we will do some Rose Pruning If your planning to trim her roses, I hope you can out run double barrel double ought buck! The only thing I'm allowed to do with her roses is to clean up the petals that have fallen on the track.
She be impressed with me........ Old Toad Charm!
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