Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

DUMB QUESTION ALERT!

1290 views
8 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: AIKEN S.C. & Orange Park Fl.
  • 2,047 posts
DUMB QUESTION ALERT!
Posted by claycts on Wednesday, August 17, 2005 8:13 PM
I have designed 100% of the track to be on RISERS NO FLAT SPOTS anyplace. GOOD or BAD?
My thought was that if NONE of the track was on a flat surface I could get any type of profile I want. CAD drawings will allow for the eact location of track side Structures and Signals Etc. I am plotting the plan 1:1 from AuoCADD so the odds of a major NO FIT problem will be gone (famous last words).
45 Years ago you put doen a 4x8 and had at it. Now I have as many draings as it takes to build a house.
I warned you a dumb question BUT with me as the lone ranger on this I need to sort of "CONSULT the DESIGN TEAM" if you get the idea.
George P.
Take Care George Pavlisko Driving Race cars and working on HO trains More fun than I can stand!!!
  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: North Bend Wa
  • 71 posts
Posted by Tim_Seawel on Wednesday, August 17, 2005 10:41 PM
Nothing wrong with all track being on risers---but it will be very difficult to operate in a yard with a slope to it, most industry sidings are fairly flat aswell. Thats my 2 cents worth.

Tim
View my railroad
  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Rimrock, Arizona
  • 11,241 posts
Posted by SpaceMouse on Thursday, August 18, 2005 12:11 AM
If all your tracks are on rises, if you derail you will have a longer way to fall.

Chip

Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.

  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: CANADA
  • 2,292 posts
Posted by ereimer on Thursday, August 18, 2005 12:27 AM
the 'cookie-cutter' method of layout building uses roadbed cut to the shape of the track and supported on risers from a grid type frame . there are no large flat areas except at yards . this does mean that all no-track areas have to be filled in with some type of scenery so you can't see the floor through the layout , and so the trains don't fall all the way to the floor if something derails [:)] . i'm not sure if that's the method you mean , or if you're thinking of risers on top of a flat plywood base . either way you're going to be using your level a lot !
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 18, 2005 12:32 AM
Dumb answer alert!!!![#wstupid]

Have you looked at woodland scenic risers and inclines? if that's what you talking about it's going to be a lot easier than the cookie cutter method. or perhaps you are talking about l-girder. either way I think what your trying to say that is the track level will be raised and then you fill in between the risers to form your terrian. That way you can have hills and valleys. is that right?
Andrew
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: San Jose, California
  • 3,154 posts
Posted by nfmisso on Thursday, August 18, 2005 1:52 AM
It is the only way to use spline subroad bed......
Nigel N&W in HO scale, 1950 - 1955 (..and some a bit newer too) Now in San Jose, California
  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Rimrock, Arizona
  • 11,241 posts
Posted by SpaceMouse on Thursday, August 18, 2005 7:55 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by george745

Dumb answer alert!!!![#wstupid]

Have you looked at woodland scenic risers and inclines? if that's what you talking about it's going to be a lot easier than the cookie cutter method. Andrew


So many people say that, and it must be true if no where else but in perception. But there was nothing difficult about cookie cutter if you can use a sabre saw and a calculator.

Chip

Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: Omaha, NE
  • 10,616 posts
Posted by dehusman on Thursday, August 18, 2005 9:20 AM
With the rolling ability modern wheels and axles, if every track is on a grade you won't be able to do much switching. I always tested areas where I was going to switch to see when I disconnected the engines if the cars would roll away or stay put.

Dave H.

Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com

  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: AIKEN S.C. & Orange Park Fl.
  • 2,047 posts
Posted by claycts on Thursday, August 18, 2005 7:36 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by dehusman

With the rolling ability modern wheels and axles, if every track is on a grade you won't be able to do much switching. I always tested areas where I was going to switch to see when I disconnected the engines if the cars would roll away or stay put.

Dave H.

DAve, I picked your answer, nothing personel,. The yards and passenger terminal are LEVEL the sidings are LEVEL the tracks that connect theses points rise up and down. My logic was that having the yard at 51" elev. and the town down at 48" I would construct ALL the track on sub road bed that STARTS at 48 " and rises to 51" where it levels out for that area. These are talking points not actual numbers.
I have thought of the APLINE sub road bed (Masonite and wood sandwich, hold the mustard) or just 1/2" osb supported every 12 to 16". THe turntable will be in a 2" foam cradle like in the Walthers book. The leads will be set the same way to get a smooth transition.
The MAIN, BRANCH and LOGGING would be on splines.
The thought of a flat piece of pywood with risers on it where never in the calculations. The post was to get some input as to the worries of this method, which I did get, for which I thank all of you.
Now a little form the OLD MAN, stretch a bed sheet under your open grid when testing, a few clamps and disaster can be avoided. I have bought 2 engines from a yard sale which will do the tesing if the hit the floor I am out $15.00 FOR both.
Take Care and thank you for your input.
George P.
Take Care George Pavlisko Driving Race cars and working on HO trains More fun than I can stand!!!

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!