If you mean stapling the nylon screen to the subgrade in (very) rough approximation of the eventual scenery, that's one possible approach. Here are a couple of others which won't get in your way as you do your wiring:
I have used both techniques successfully - but the best safety feature of all is absolutely bulletproof trackwork.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Marlon
See pictures of the Clinton-Golden Valley RR
I wish I had been as careful as I should have been. Instead, an IHC Mike took a swan dive. I had not troubled myself to use something like a temporary screen and I paid for my laziness and haste.
I hope my story can be of use to you.
-Crandell
AlreadyInUse wrote:I've finished my first section of spline subroadbed, about 24', and will be laying track and wiring it soon. I was wondering if anyone had suggestions for methods of protecting test locos and cars? Until the scenery shell is built, a derailment could produce a 4' fall to the concrete. Is stapling nylon screen to the benchwork a good idea?
The nylon screening has worked well at my club for the protection. It doesn't need that many staples to hold in place. Many of thesse pieces have been reused numerous times or saved for new benchwork once the scenery has been completed.
Long or large areas that are impractical to cover completly w/ screening are done with masonite or MDF temperary guard rails. Lexan guard rails in tunnels and staging and are permanant.
Modeling B&O- Chessie Bob K. www.ssmrc.org
tomikawaTT wrote: Staple temporary cardstock fences to the edges of the subgrade. Mine extend about 25mm (1 inch) above the railheads. (If the track is to be hidden, the fences can be glued on and left in place.)Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Thanks for all of the feedback. I like the idea of the cardboard fence. Especially that it could eventually double as an anchor for the lattice scenery shell.
As Chuck mentions, good trackwork is your best guarantee, along with careful operation. I have about 40' of 2.5% grade that winds around the outer edge of a peninsula, with the drop to the concrete varying from 48" to 58". Since the track currently dead-ends at the top of the grade, trains using it need to be backed down the hill. I've had success with trains in excess of 70 cars, and several 60 car trains with mid-train and/or rear helpers, too. I've also run heavy coal trains here, with "live" loads. Currently, there's no scenery in the centre of the loop, so there's a drop on both sides of the track.
Wayne
AlreadyInUse wrote:Is stapling nylon screen to the benchwork a good idea?
Wayne,
In some of the photos you showed, it looks as though the scenery slopes down and away from the track. Do you plan to put some type of permanent barrier up in these areas when the scenery is completed? For example, trees, bushes or buildings to keep derailed equipment from rolling down the slope and onto the floor. If this isn't possible, then a Plexiglass barrier might serve to protect the equipment from a fall in the event of an accident.
Bob
Bob, you're correct that some of the scenery slopes down from the tracks, and much of this track is 2'' or less from the edge. However, the trackwork is pretty simple here, with no turnouts, and I try to keep wheels in gauge, etc., so there's not too much that'll cause derailments other than poor train handling. The speed limit for upbound passenger trains is 45 (35 for freights), but most are hard-pressed to come within 15 mph of the limit, mainly due to the severe grade. Downbound trains are restricted to 20 mph for passenger and 15 mph for freight, with a further 5 mph reduction for the bridge seen in the second photo above, which is part of a horseshoe curve. Train control is DC, with walk-around controllers, so operators are "with" the train for the entire ascent. When the scenery is done, there should be lots of good angles for photos at trackside.
selector wrote:I wish I had been as careful as I should have been. Instead, an IHC Mike took a swan dive. I had not troubled myself to use something like a temporary screen and I paid for my laziness and haste.I hope my story can be of use to you. -Crandell
Better the IHC than one of those PCMs..
The best bet is good trackwork. Screening will snag details like you wouldn't believe (been there). What I've done in areas of concern is to simply slide large pieces of cardboard under the track bed to avoid the 4 foot canyon fall.. But, Again, smooth trackwork is your better bet (and keep clumsy hands away from the trains, been there too)..
Here's a photo from a previous layout..
here's the current incarnation of that same bridge..
Good luck..