Attaching/laying track to wood roadbed

[ondrek]

Ok, I have been putting off my garden layout way way too long. and now that its now winter and the snow is out on the ground, I really want to build it (of course). I can either wait till the spring (may) or i can start now. I know many people have laid their track down on wood. I am thinking of this too. my concerns are the following:
1. expansion and contraction of the track due to temp changes
2. shifting due to frost heaving
3. balast runoff from wood roadbed due to rain

Anyone want to give me some pointers on this? I could start making sections of the layout in the basement attaching the track to sections of preasure treated wood that would then be laid down in the spring, or i can just wait, and lay the track down on a roadbed of crusher fines and let the track float like the store does in the next town.

thanks

Kevin

[tangerine-jack]

What is frost heave? Is this related to the substance called "snow"? I usually do all my heavy gardening or RR work in the cooler winter months, I'd much rather dig a hole when it is 50 as opposed to 90+ with mosquitoes. As a bonus, when the spring comes, you can enjoy the entire season running trains and not wishing you could.

For sake of arguement wood has some drawbacks:
1. Expense. Pressure treated wood is expensive now that the EPA is involved. The payoff is not really worth it.
2. Expansion for obvious reasons. Wood expands somewhat, the rail expands more, between the two the flexing will buckle the track or loosen nails.
3. Rot and termites. Eventually one or the other, pressure treated or not, will win out.

On the other hand, wood sub roadbed is good for many of the reasons you stated, you can prefab track sections at the workbench and move them to the garden later. It is easier to add wiring to the wood for effects inside rather than on your knees out in the rain. Runoff of the ballast should not be a problem if you dig in your sub roadbed to about ground level.

I much prefer the floating roadbed. It looks neater (in my viewpoint of course) and is easier to maintain by once in a while dumping a cupfull of fresh ballast down and brooming it around a little. Dig a little trench with a hoe, fill with ballast, level and lay track- done.

The choice in the end is yours of course, either method has it's drawbacks and bonuses, but the floating ballast method has the least expense per drawback. Have fun!!![oX)]

[ondrek]

I was thinking that the floating would be better too. looks like i will just have to wait until the frost is all gone from the ground, thats after the snow has melted.

until then i guess i should focus on the HO layout i started.

one thing at a time i suppose.

Kevin

[tangerine-jack]

Is there anything you can do for now outdoors like mark the track routes, or move rocks and things? This would be a good time to "terra form" if possible, so in the spring you can concentrate on the track. As far as the track laying, you may end up with a combination of both methods, or even invent something unique to overcome a problem. Once the shovel hits the dirt, you never know what you will find, so don't limit your thinking to only one idea or suggestion. The big difference in outdoor RR as opposed to inside, is that the Earth decides for a large part on your "benchwork" and scenery whereas in an HO layout, you have 100% control over everything.

BTW, we got hit with a massive 1 inch accumulation of snow. In the south, that is a real show stopper. Good thing it's going to be near 60 today and melt that nasty stuff off.

I wish I could concentrate on one thing at a time. I've got about 500 hobbies going at once, keeps me busy. Haven't touched my HO layout in about 4 or 5 months and that's only a 4X8 in a spare room. What did that guy say again....."focus, young Grasshopper"



[oX)]

[ondrek]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tangerine-jack

Is there anything you can do for now outdoors like mark the track routes, or move rocks and things? This would be a good time to "terra form" if possible, so in the spring you can concentrate on the track.

I cant do anything, the ground is a frozen block. But one thing is good, I know there are no rocks in the area to give me trouble, as i have already removed them over the summer. the area is already nice and flat, so really all i need to do is lay the track mark the outside edges, lift the track, dig the trench, and then fill will crusher fines and then relay the track. should be a good one weekend project as long as i dont have to watch the kids at the same time.

QUOTE:

BTW, we got hit with a massive 1 inch accumulation of snow. In the south, that is a real show stopper. Good thing it's going to be near 60 today and melt that nasty stuff off.

we dont have much more right now either though, its been a very mild winter and very little snow. but jan and feb might change things. cold weather should come in. then i bet we will get hit with all the snow in march alone, thats when we get the most snow fall anyhow.

QUOTE:
I wish I could concentrate on one thing at a time. I've got about 500 hobbies going at once, keeps me busy. Haven't touched my HO layout in about 4 or 5 months and that's only a 4X8 in a spare room. What did that guy say again....."focus, young Grasshopper"

I had a talk with the owner of my LHS and i touched on all the things i would like to do right now, they range all over the place. he and i both agreed that i need to focus on one at a time. i have a 2'x4' HO layout that has been taking me over a month to do. and i am no where near done still.

if i scatter too much, none of them will get finished.

Kevin

[tangerine-jack]

I feel your pain. I've got one iron in the garden RR fire, one in my Triumph motorcycle transmission, on in my Mopar hot rod project, another in my 4X8 HO layout, half a dozen irons in the work (military) fire pit, two RC plane projects, and a huge roaring blast furnace smelting irons on my house. At least I don't have time to get into trouble[:D] I've been described as a shotgun, not a rifle, as I have so many interests, but since I like the noise and mess a shotgun makes and it is my prefered weapon in urban combat anyway, so what? Life is too short to not do something fun.

I thought my simple one day tracklaying would be quick and painless, but my weekend turned into a week. Surprising how slow digging a small trench goes when you are trying to make it straight and level. Take your time and do it right the first time and you will thank yourself in the long run.

Have a happy new year! OOps, sorry didn't mean to offend anyone, I meant to say "have a happy non-sectarian holiday of your choosing".

[oX)]