joe-daddy wrote:What is your view on spline roadbed? I have been interested in that approach, thinking it is what I would call a master's approach. Researching that approach had taken me to Charlie's excellent work months ago, I remembered it from his comment on Clamps!
I love spline roadbed! I recommend my EasySpline approach to anyone who asks. There's an article about it in the March 2000 MR. Charlie picked up on it and is now using it for his BC&SJ.
Charlie's a great innovator, he's taken the basic technique and added some very practical assists to make building and using the masonite spline easier.
Pros of masonite spline:
- Very efficient use of material. My almost 400 feet of mainline roadbed was done with 5 sheets of 1/4" masonite hardboard.
- Forms natural easements and vertical curves, making for very smooth flowing roadbed
- Dense, so absorbs sound well, making for quiet roadbed
- Goes in quick. I can do the roadbed at about 2 minutes a foot on average.
Cons of masonite spline:
- Almost impossible to spike to it. That's why it's best used as roadbed for flex track and you use latex caulk to glue down the track.
- Easy to twist it out of level side-to-side. This is easily avoided with a bit of care, but you need to watch for it and correct it when it occurs.
- Difficult to form to a precise radius. In cases where I needed a precise radius, I used a special jig to hold the splines to shape while the glue set up. For the curves on my layout where I didn't use a radius jig (only my helix used the jig), the curves look good, even if I don't know how precisely they conform to the exact radius on the curves where I just transferred my layout plan track alignment onto the layout benchwork and then curved the spline to match.
- Gluing the spline can be messy. You can do things to control the mess, but it's still messier than cookie cutter roadbed methods.
Charlie and I both feel the benefits of spline roadbed greatly outweigh the disadvantages. Spline certainly makes for some great looking roadbed, and as a result smooth, flowing trackwork.
Joe Fugate Modeling the 1980s SP Siskiyou Line in southern Oregon
jfugate wrote:Joe Daddy:Charlie and I do both -- handlay turnouts and use commercial turnouts.However, the latest trend for us both seems to be back to handlaid. I'm experimenting with Central Valley turnout kits using PC ties and solder to hold the rails down, rather than the cement method they recommend. I dunno, but I just don't trust cement to be 100% stable to seasonal humidity and temperature changes. Plastic ties and rails on flex track is dimensionally stable ... for turnouts I want the same.So Charlie and I both are doing handlaid turnouts using the PC ties method, although I want the tie plate detail given by the Central Valley ties in their turnout kits. I'm motor tooling off the metal foil on most of the PC tie and leaving just a "tie plate" width of the PC tie's copper plating, then soldering the rails to that, simulating a tie plate of sorts to match the rest of the ties.Charlie and I both use MicroEngineering flex track on the visible layout, and cheaper flex track in staging.
Joe Daddy:
Charlie and I do both -- handlay turnouts and use commercial turnouts.
However, the latest trend for us both seems to be back to handlaid. I'm experimenting with Central Valley turnout kits using PC ties and solder to hold the rails down, rather than the cement method they recommend. I dunno, but I just don't trust cement to be 100% stable to seasonal humidity and temperature changes. Plastic ties and rails on flex track is dimensionally stable ... for turnouts I want the same.
So Charlie and I both are doing handlaid turnouts using the PC ties method, although I want the tie plate detail given by the Central Valley ties in their turnout kits. I'm motor tooling off the metal foil on most of the PC tie and leaving just a "tie plate" width of the PC tie's copper plating, then soldering the rails to that, simulating a tie plate of sorts to match the rest of the ties.
Charlie and I both use MicroEngineering flex track on the visible layout, and cheaper flex track in staging.
Thanks Joe, for your informative response. Your and Charlie's work is really nice. I like your website as inspiration for how it could look and Charlie's appeals to me for the construction details that are still visible. I seem obsessed with the under the scenery pictures.
Your use of masking tape is a novel and neat approach to using cardboard strips. I am using aluminum screen wire and hydrocal. Your receipe for what I'll call 'flex plaster' is interesting. I am still thinking about that one!
What is your view on spline roadbed? I have been interested in that approach, thinking it is what I would call a master's approach. Researching that approach had taken me to Charlie's excellent work months ago, I remembered it from his comment on Clamps!
As for adhesive on turnouts, I have a couple of Atlas and Peco turnouts that have returned to dimensional stablility (love that term!) with some 45 minute epoxy.
Your willingness to share is not lost on this sophmoric newbie!
Have not yet laid out the cash for your DVD's but they are on my want list.
Thanks again!
Joe Daddy
Joe-That Central Valley stuff looks great once it's detailed and weathered. I love the detail kits that come with each turnout. I'm even going to use those details on my Atlas track. The great thing is being able to curve them to what ever radius you need.
I wouldn't trust that glue method either. You would need PERFECT climate control for that to work. I did a 6' diorama track with 1 turnout just to try the stuff and I'm constantly regluing the rails.
jfugate wrote:Actually, Charlie's website gets more hits than mine, so it's clear his modeling strikes a resonate chord with modelers. His site certainly has lots of cool photos to look at and neat ideas to read about. It also doesn't hurt that he's a grand prize winner of the MR photo contest.
Actually, Charlie's website gets more hits than mine, so it's clear his modeling strikes a resonate chord with modelers. His site certainly has lots of cool photos to look at and neat ideas to read about. It also doesn't hurt that he's a grand prize winner of the MR photo contest.
Joe and Charlie, you both have amazing layouts, the envy, rather the inspiration of many of us. You both seem to support the concept of spline roadbed. So here is the 64,000 dollar question. Do you hand lay your track and make your own turnouts?
Charlie, you make reference on your spline page to flex track, but I found no reference to turnouts on either of your layouts. Perhaps I missed it?
Best regards,
Ha ha ha, Yes there maybe a little bias..... I enjoy the Siskiyou Line a littl more because it is set in the time period I model and I like the geographical location...it's the area I'm modeling. Both of your guys' layouts are incredible and I love reading and looking over the sites!
I did not notice you to lived so close to each other, good thing I am not an investigator, ha ha ha. I'm surrounded by L&N, NC&ST.L and Southern RR guys, so my equipment sticks out a little on the club layout. I will try to post some pics of my equipment on the temp. layout at a mall on the weekend photo fun thread.
Josh
EspeeEngineer wrote:I agree, I have the Bear Creek and the Siskiyou Line (which is my favorite!) on my favorites list!
Gee, Espee ... I wonder why my 1980s SP in Oregon layout (Siskiyou Line) is your favorite?
In case you haven't figured it out yet, Charlie and I live 45 minutes from each other, and we're regular operators on each other's layout. Here's a photo of Charlie running trains on my layout ...
Charlie Comstock (of Bear Creek & South Jackson fame) operating on Joe Fugate's Siskiyou Line (click to enlarge)
loathar wrote:He does some fantastic work. I think his layouts are the best I've ever seen. Those big pines he uses are beautiful but MAN are they expensive.
He does some fantastic work. I think his layouts are the best I've ever seen. Those big pines he uses are beautiful but MAN are they expensive.
True enough on the trees, but you have to admit they give you killer realism in a scene. It all comes down to money or time. You can make them yourself if you use Aggro's method plus several extra steps to get the killer realism -- here's how.
A scene from Charlie's Jallen module (click to enlarge)
jfugate wrote: Yep, Charlie's web site has photos mostly from his previous layout and two modules he's done. He's wondering right now if he should build some scenery on his current layout or if he should keep on building benchwork.My vote is to finally put some of that fabulous scenery on the current plywood pacific in his basement and I've told him so. Don't you agree?
Yep, Charlie's web site has photos mostly from his previous layout and two modules he's done. He's wondering right now if he should build some scenery on his current layout or if he should keep on building benchwork.
My vote is to finally put some of that fabulous scenery on the current plywood pacific in his basement and I've told him so. Don't you agree?
Yep
Chip
Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.
Modeling the Rio Grande Southern First District circa 1938-1946 in HOn3.
Well, I have been looking at this site now all week and I have to tell you, this is one of the absolutely best looking web sites and model railroads I've seen anywhere on the web. When I see Charlie Comstock's name you can bet Joe Daddy will be paying attention.
Wow is inadequate.
http://s145079212.onlinehome.us/rr/index.shtml
Joe