I hope that my mistakes, and successes, will help others with their layouts. I am having fun and wish that others will also have fun.
I'll second that
Lynn
Present Layout progress
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/p/290127/3372174.aspx#3372174
ShadowNix wrote: Looks great, Alan! Keep up the great work and pic's....Brian
Looks great, Alan! Keep up the great work and pic's....
Brian
Thanks !. I am having fun operating with the new Between trackage.
wickman wrote:Hi Alan I seen this thread a while back and didn't have time to go through all of it but today I got a chance to grab a big Timmy's coffee sit relax and read through your entire progress thread and it was quite enjoyable. I wish there were more threads like yours to enjoy.
Thanks - thanks also jjbmish and Canondale61 for the nice comments.
Excellent job Allen love the mine, ore loader, and water tower. Trees are excellent the scene really has changed. The deer in the trees make think of fall. Used to love to hunt now the only hunting I do is with a camera.
Kevin
Hey Alan,
The layout is looking great. I have really enjoyed watching your progress. I haven't been working on my layout so watching your progress has kept me wanting to start back on my layout. Maybe in the near future.
Thanks again
John
Landscaping update.
I have run the new trackage for a little over one week; and it works out great. Basic landscaping is now in. Here is a view from the mine end of Between:
This work all started a couple of months ago when I started to put a grove of trees at the entrance to Between. I had the trees made and ready to plant when I decided that I should change out the Atlas snap switches to Fast Tracks # 4.5 turnouts. I thought it best to change the turnouts before further landscaping work.
That grove of trees is now in !
Here are the trees, with the Shepard and his flock, in the morning sunrise:
Now I can go back to doing the preliminary detail work on the rest of the layout.
Thanks for looking in. Comments!
Alan_B wrote: On the last two, I used the course wheel on my bench grinder. I will use the bench grinder for all future turnouts.
On the last two, I used the course wheel on my bench grinder. I will use the bench grinder for all future turnouts.
Thanks Alan. That will save me from having to buy one more tool.
Glenn -- PRR in Georgia
gderem wrote:The turnouts are really that easy to build. I've enjoyed following your progress. Thanks for posting your "issue" building the FT turnout. I've ordered a jig (#6) and it will be something for me to watch out for. The video sure makes it look easy, though it will take a little practice to get it really good.Question: Did you use a belt sander on the stock rail -- as Tim did in the video -- to create the inset for the points? or did you use another method? I ask because I don't have belt sander and am wondering if I must have one or if there are alternatives. For instance I have a bench grinder; I'm not sure if using that is an option. Thanks.
The turnouts are really that easy to build.
I've enjoyed following your progress. Thanks for posting your "issue" building the FT turnout. I've ordered a jig (#6) and it will be something for me to watch out for. The video sure makes it look easy, though it will take a little practice to get it really good.
Question: Did you use a belt sander on the stock rail -- as Tim did in the video -- to create the inset for the points? or did you use another method? I ask because I don't have belt sander and am wondering if I must have one or if there are alternatives. For instance I have a bench grinder; I'm not sure if using that is an option.
Thanks.
Thanks for the comments. The jig is easy to use; however, playing the video while actually building is not an option for me (I don't want metal filings anywhere near my laptop computer). I figured that a few mistakes would happen as they would with any new process.
On the first three, I used a motor tool (similar to Dremel) and a cut-off disk to grind down the rails for the point rails (this is covered in the instructions). On the last two, I used the course wheel on my bench grinder. I will use the bench grinder for all future turnouts.
Canondale61 wrote: I am glad that I am the not the only one that has issues like that. Good job, thank you for the post and pictures. Are the turnouts really that easy to build? Could you, or have you, taken a series of pictures from start to end of the line. Kevin
I am glad that I am the not the only one that has issues like that. Good job, thank you for the post and pictures. Are the turnouts really that easy to build? Could you, or have you, taken a series of pictures from start to end of the line.
The turnouts are really that easy to build. The jig aligns everything and really lets you make interchangeable parts. Once the rails are glued to the wooden ties; changing them would be a little bit more difficult than what I did in changing the point rails (not glued to the wood ties). The jig uses PC board ties for all of the soldered joints and enough of them to maintain alignment of the parts without the wooden ties.
Are you referring to pictures of the BAH RR, or did you mean the turnout process ?
jguess733 wrote:Alan, the railroad is looking great. I look forward to this post, it helps to keep me motivated and inspired.
Thanks for the comments and a new Weekly update !
Every new process has a learning curve !!!!
What started out to be a "simple" replacement of three turnouts became a major rework of Between. It appeared that I could sightly modify three Fast Tracks # 4.5 turnouts to replace three Atlas snap switches - WRONG !
After one fruitless day of carefully cutting turnouts and track, and trying to get things to fit; I realized that the process was not going to work. The turnout from the main line into between would work by replacing the lead from the turnout to Between. I got this one in and the Tortoise installed (along with the switch and LED) without too much of a problem.
I then built two new turnouts to replace the mangled ones that I had tried to install in Between proper. I learned that installing jumpers in the turnouts reduced the number of feeders required to get things connected and working properly. Here they are in the two new turnouts:
Now I was ready to get back to my major mess, and try to reconstruct Between (I had completely wiped out the community by this time).
I got the two new turnouts installed:
I then set the buildings in place to see if things would really work.
An overhead view of the new track layout:
Now the rest of the learning curve. I thought that I had followed the video instructions for the turnouts carefully. It turns out that I did not follow carefully enough on the two replacement turnouts (for the cut up ones that I was replacing). This was my problem, not Fast Tracks, as the video is very careful in explaining how not to have the problem that I had. I ended up replacing, turnouts glued down in place, two point rails (one in each turnout) because I did not file them down enough. Due to the use of the Fast Tracks jig, this turned out to be fairly simple (except for the fact that the turnouts were almost six feet high and three feet back from the edge of the layout). I made replacement point rails and soldered them into the glued down turnouts.
I ended up with this track layout:
With this overall view of Between:
The moral of this story is that a half day process can turn into three solid days of work and then a few more to re-landscape the town. I will operate this layout for a few days before I start the landscaping process. By leaning my 200 pounds in the center of Between, I now have a sight out-of-level situation. I will have to add a prop under the center of Between to correct this (minor problem).
Boy what a week !
Comments? Thanks for looking.
Jason
Modeling the Fort Worth & Denver of the early 1970's in N scale
Canondale61 wrote: Life tends to get in the way of the railroad. I kind of been keeping an eye on the sabres. How do the jigs work? Could you do a mimi tutoral on building a turnout? T hanks keep up the great work Kevin
Life tends to get in the way of the railroad. I kind of been keeping an eye on the sabres. How do the jigs work? Could you do a mimi tutoral on building a turnout? T hanks keep up the great work
The Sabers kinda forgot to show up today ! I tend to follow the Avalanche as I live in the Denver area; however, they missed the playoffs this year. I had figured that retirement would allow ample time for the RR; boy was I wrong.
The jigs work great and the end product is the smoothest turnout that I have seen. The best video's are already on the Fast Tracks website (same ones supplied on CD with the jigs). I just followed these instructions - no complications or complaints.
http://www.handlaidtrack.com/documents.php
Thanks for the comments.
Weekly update !
Actually, it has been two weeks; however, 1:1 activity has interfered with model RR work. I bought a new truck, got an after-market sound system installed, and looked for a topper (truck too new and toppers not available yet). Lost 2 days to dental visits, and 2 days on house inspections (daughter is trying to buy a condo). On top of all of this, I am watching 2 NHL hockey games per day and trying to operate the RR for a couple of hours per day.
With that out of the way; the Fast Tracks turnout jig arrived. I built the three turnouts needed and prewired the tortoise machines and switches. I want to replace the turnouts in the Between area so that I can finish the scenic work there (then I can move to easier to reach areas).
Here is the area to be worked on:
Here is my first Fast Tracks turnout:
Here are the three turnouts needed:
The Fast Tracks # 4.5 are not quite an exact drop-in replacement for Atlas snap switches:
Some modifications are required to make them work:
Here are the three turnouts modified, cleaned up, and painted; ready to install. Rail joiners are installed on each piece of track as shown. The first full day available during the coming week will be used to get the installation done. This should be about Wednesday.
More updates later. Thanks for looking. Comments ?
Canondale61 wrote: Sorry I have been kind of preoccupied so I missed your weekly updates. Excellent work I can not imagine the numbers of trees you will have to make. The latest images the rails did not show up very well in the post but when I went to reply they came out much clearer. very good job scenicing the area. Can you make a mold of your ore cars and use material that is used to make sinkers and jigs and such for your ore car weights? Kevin
Sorry I have been kind of preoccupied so I missed your weekly updates. Excellent work I can not imagine the numbers of trees you will have to make. The latest images the rails did not show up very well in the post but when I went to reply they came out much clearer. very good job scenicing the area. Can you make a mold of your ore cars and use material that is used to make sinkers and jigs and such for your ore car weights?
Thanks for the comments. I can make a mold, or just pour lead; however, I really want the empty ore cars to look empty. I am close to a solution now. Sorry about the pictures, but it is a fairly large area and does not photograph very well.
No comments from last week.
Here is the weekly update.
Instead of "planting" buildings; I worked on the tichy ore car problem with lack of weight and sensitivity to "any" track roughness. I had one area (around a turnout) in the Hardspot front yard that was causing problems with backing of ore cars. This was the turnout tied to the yard lead that was increased from 15 to 18" radius a while back. After careful analysis; I decided that the are needed re-working. I ripped out the turnout and surrounding track (including some of the scenery).
Here is the area in question:
Here is the new track work on the plywood base:
And here is the final (some scenery touch up still required) result:
This rework allowed me to sightly change operations in the front two tracks, where the ore cars are staged, switched and stored. Now I can put the caboose on the string of empties instead of having to pick it up on the way out of the yard. I also gained some length in track two which gives "better" switching operation for handling incoming trains of filled ore cars. so far; operations have been easier/better with the new track arrangement.
I was waiting and planning on putting a FastTracks turnout in this location; however, the re-used Atlas snap switch is working perfectly. The FastTracks jig, with supplies, is scheduled to ship on 4/18; so it is a couple of weeks off yet.
Next week, I will try to "plant" buildings.
Comments?
pamam wrote:the helix showes A LOT of goot craftsmenship
Thanks ! Here is the weekly update.
As some of you know by now, I tend to use temporary structures (cardboard) and simply place my building on top of the ground until I am sure that things will work out like I expect. since my FastTracks jig has not arrived; I have to work on areas other than Between (need new turnouts there in order to continue).
I got the false front buildings planted at Arock, and some preliminary detailing work done.
Including a little more work around the depot.
In Hardspot, I worked on the shelf part of the layout. "Planted" the switch tower and weathered, detailed and "planted" the 3 story building, Saddle shop, and General Store. Some talus and weeds were also added to the area.
I am still playing with weights for the Tichy ore cars; no "solution" yet.
Next week, I will "plant" the old town buildings in Hardspot along with the church and school house. Everything else is already "planted".
I sure hope that FastTracks jig gets here soon
Comments ?
Trees, need more! I just got into tress in the last 3 months. I lost count at 289 not counting around 50 watting to be planted. I am guessing I will only need around 5000 more!
Thanks to MR Hill I am making around 5 a day so in 2.7 years I will be done!
Cuda Ken
Alan B looks good.
I hate Rust
ARTHILL wrote:Looking Good. Like the updates. About 200 trees ago, I though 40 would be a lot, But I can't figure where the 200 went. Some of the guys talk about thousands and I am beginning to understand why. Fortunatly, I enjoy making them. I hope you do as well.
I know about that feeling ("But I can't figure where the 200 went"). It is a good thing that I am modeling the Rocky Mountains not the Carolinas where I grew up.
Another weekly update.
Not a lot of visible layout changes this past week. I spent a lot of time making and planting trees. It seems like 40 trees just disappear when spread over 6 -10 feet of layout.
Here is Hardspot before the new trees:
And after a bunch of trees, and scrub, along the ridge line:
I spent a lot of time working on weighting the small (empty), ultra lightweight, ore cars. I think that I have found the solution; however, I want to run them for a while before making a real commitment.
Operations continue.
slow train Ed wrote: Alen I am new to this forum ans was wondering if I could ask a few guestions? First, I was wondering (iknow you menchened of prevuse updates) If you could post the layout diagram? Second,Could you tell me the diamenter of your helex mountain? third, you stated that the distance between the 2 towns was 24 inches ,correct?Like what I have seen of your progress . thank you for your time Ed
Alen
I am new to this forum ans was wondering if I could ask a few guestions? First, I was wondering (iknow you menchened of prevuse updates) If you could post the layout diagram? Second,Could you tell me the diamenter of your helex mountain? third, you stated that the distance between the 2 towns was 24 inches ,correct?Like what I have seen of your progress . thank you for your time
Ed
I did my initial layout with a CAD program (not a track layout program) and only showed centerlines and only worked it enough to know that things would fit.
Here is the lower level (Hardspot) and a schematic of the climbing loops (mountains).
This is the upper level (Arock).
The community of Between is not shown on these plans. The plans did change a little during construction. construction is fairly well documented in this thread and the thread referenced in the first post here (page 1, first posting).
Exposed mountain curves are all 18" radius. Hidden curves are 20" radius except for part of the front mountain where I had to use a few 18" radius hidden curves. the front mountain is the one without the community of between (it is on the back mountain).
There is a 24" elevation difference between the towns of Hardspot and Arock. With 100' of track, this works out to a average of 2% grade. I used slightly higher on straight runs (mostly hidden) and slightly lower on the tight 18" radius curves.
Canondale61 wrote: Excellent work Alan Keep posting please Thank you Kevin
Excellent work Alan Keep posting please Thank you Kevin
Thanks ! - Weekly update.
I am still working on the Between area. I need to fill the space between the blue company house and the outcropping at the lead-in to Between. As usual, I use cardboard for a temporary scenery item to see how it works.
It turns out that the cardboard does indeed hide the track area (what I intended); however, it is too high to work when actually switching the area. I cut it down in stages until it worked correctly.
This is what it hides:
I am going to have a small grove of trees in this area. I had the trees made, and ready to plant when I decided that the hidden turnouts should be replaced with FastTracks built and Tortoise controlled turnouts.
I have ordered the FastTracks #4.5 code 100 fixture and enought supplies for 10 turnouts (approximately 4 week wait for the stuff), and will replace the five turnouts in this area before I complete the landscaping. This wait means that I have to work on other areas on the layout.
This is the way things will be for a few weeks:
Most of the other things that I am doing do not photograph well (or at all). I am adding guard rails to the turntable tracks:
I am about 90% through replacing all the plastic wheels on rolling stock with metal wheel sets. The Tichy ore cars that I use are way too light to be bumping over turnouts and any roughness in the track and they do not push well through any type of curve. There is almost no way to add invisible weight to these cars. I also find that the metal wheels roll so well that coupling/uncoupling (any type of car) becomes a problem. A sting of cars works great. An individual car wants to roll during the coupling/uncoupling operation instead of sitting still and letting the coupler work. I am experimenting with several ways to introduce a little "drag" to improve coupling/uncoupling and to also add weight to the ore cars.
I will keep at the "improvements" while waiting on the turn-out fixture.
Thanks for looking. Comments?