how to get the track around the mountain

[JITO]

Hi,

I'm working on a proper trackbed system for a loop around the side and front of our mountain. At the moment, the track is just sitting on top of some trestles. However, I'm thinking that there should/could be something more suitable to be in keeping with a late 1800's goldrush-era atmosphere.

The mountain is a mound of rocks built up to form a mountain. The track on the left comes out from the tunnel on a flat platform of limestone before it goes across the trestle tops strategically placed amongst the rocks (not yet included in a photo) until it circles around over the creek to the other side. I would like to hear of or see suggestions as to how I could make modifications to this area in order to tie everything together with more of a solid road base structure.

thanks,

Michael

[ttrigg]

You didn't say what era you are modeling in, but here are a couple of suggestions.

1. The "inner loop" (the one sitting on the rocks),  A) get some smaller stones and some motar mix and build a retaining wall then fill with more of the smaler stone.topping the road bed with crusher fines. You might consider a drainage culvert poking out of the stone retaining wall. Or, pull out one of the rocks and install a short section of timber trestle, (concrete or wood abutments and a single timber bent.

2. The "outer loop" (curently sittinhg on the timber bents.) In the early days, it was quicker, easier, and cheaper to build timber trestle bridges instead of doing massive backfilling. Trains always look good going over a bridge. It looks like you have thetrack and ties sitting directly on top of the timber bents. Prototypically there should be some stringers spanning the gap directly under the rails. Stringers should be the same width as the posts in your bent, but, one and a half times tall. It may be an optical illusion, but it looks like there are some small kinks (slight turns) in the direction of the straight rails. If this is the case, I suggest using a length of flex rail over the bridge. Those little kinks could cause derailments on the bridge sending everything into the valley below. Flex rail will make for smoother transit over the bridge.

If you include culverts (as in #1) you might consider small "washouts" under the timber trestle bridge directly in line. Otherwise I would say, Looking Good.

[TJ Lee]

Michael,

I agree with Tom. Retaining wall for the inside loop and a trestle with stringers to support the trackwork.

I use stringers with 1/4x1/4 6 inch ties spaced to allow the track ties to drop between them. Securely holds the track in place.

Best,

TJ