Large Scale Central

Another expansion thread?

Track and Trestles
#21

Thanx guys…

Dave Funk said:
Ken, Nice looking expansion of the RR. Near the beginning of the thread I saw in your photos a white support under the track...what is it called and who makes it? dave

Spend enough time on LSC and you can answer your own questions…that ladder support is a neat way to build roadbed…I don’t have a RR yet and am looking at different ways to construct one…most local guys build on crusher fines…and relevel track,ect far too often for my liking…


Dave, that’s that ladder roadbed system that was explained in another thread. It’s 1x2" Trimplank on edge with a 1" spacer in between them. Trimplank is a plastic composite trim that’s sold at the local Lowe’s. Goes for about $9.50 for a 12’ length. I had most of it laid out except for about 10’ in one evening.

My first layout was laid on crusher fines and seemed I spent way to much time getting it level from washouts and frost heave.

Quote:
I approve of everything but the gardening. hehehe!
I guess I can't have everything, can I?.....;)
Quote:
watch those coral bells in moderate to full sun
That part of the yard is in shade till about mid afternoon. The front of the house faces south.
#22

Ken,
have your wife hang your socks and underware on the clothes line when finished for some great prototypical shots!
:wink:

#23
David Russell said:
Ken, have your wife hang your socks and underware on the clothes line when finished for some great prototypical shots! ;)
Yea, I think those old red flannel PJ's would probably look good in the background..........;)
#24

Turned out to be a very nice day on saturday, so I got the plants in the ground.

(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh58/rgseng/expansion/newplants06.jpg)

Mostly different varieties of Sedums and some Blue Star Creeper and Artemesia.

(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh58/rgseng/expansion/newplants04.jpg)

(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh58/rgseng/expansion/newplants03.jpg)

(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh58/rgseng/expansion/newplants02.jpg)

(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh58/rgseng/expansion/newplants01.jpg)

(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh58/rgseng/expansion/newplants07.jpg)

#25

Looks good, Ken.

When you have a chance could you take a close up of the attachment you use from the ladder track frame to the ties? Are you making the attachment at the spacer bars?

#26

Sure Ric.

About half the spacers I use I’ll secure after setting the track in place. That way I can align them under a tie, preferably one with a hole in it. When I’m making up the ladder I just leave a spacer in there loosely and secure it later when the track is down. I use 1 1/4" deck screws to secure both the spacer to the trimplank and the tie to the spacer.

There are times such as on a curve where I’ll add a screw to the outside of the curve and screw it into the trimplank just for extra security in holding the track in place.

But I will take a few pix later today to clarify what I’m saying.

#27

Ken, The addition is looking great… Jane has silver mounds out on our layout, and the are getting big…

#28

Great work Ken…

#29

As promised…

(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh58/rgseng/expansion/track01.jpg)

Sometimes you get a spacer that’s almost in the right place.

(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh58/rgseng/expansion/track03.jpg)

Spacer lined up under the tie with an extra screw to strengthen the joined connection.

(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh58/rgseng/expansion/track02.jpg)

Even aluminum rail has a tendency to want to straighten out. Here a screw is helping to hold the curve.

(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh58/rgseng/expansion/track05.jpg)

And a flat car I got from Ralph Berg and added a new deck to.

#30

Ken,
I’m not telling you what to do but you need to watch how much you secure the track to the ladder(especially in curves). My “ground contact” ladder and track are not attached anymore as I came home last summer in about the middle of July and spotted perhaps a 10% + grade in my front yard where the ladder and track were screwed together(sun from about 10 till 3).
Now on hot days the track pushes over the ladder but the ballast picks up the slack. I did see you mention about leveling etc. on your bed of crusher fines. What is nice with the ladder is you fill it with ballast and leveling is very easy with the ladder system. I also tried the floating blocks between the ladder and it worked ok but for ground level I wouldn’t secure it to the ladder at all and just let it float on it. I do use some screw in the straight runs but minimal. Hope this helps and your welcome here (CVRR) anytime!
:wink:

#31

I’ll keep an eye on it Dave. Thanx for the tip. Didn’t have that problem on the rest of the layout as most of it is in shade till mid day. The new part will be in the sun most of the day. Half of it is 250 aluminum and half 250 brass. Except where the passing siding is most of mine are on curves, some not as noticeable as others. Anyhow, had a great day weather-wise so I managed to have an impromptu operating session. Threw in a passenger train just to keep it interesting.

(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh58/rgseng/expansion/expand0048.jpg)

#25 does some switching at Mancos.

(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh58/rgseng/expansion/expand0049.jpg)

(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh58/rgseng/expansion/expand0047.jpg)

(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh58/rgseng/expansion/expand0057.jpg)

25 takes the siding in Delores while #22 waits at the station.

(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh58/rgseng/expansion/expand0060.jpg)

(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh58/rgseng/expansion/expand0062.jpg)

Finally cresting the grade out of Delores and hits the flat on the way to Mancos.

(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh58/rgseng/expansion/expand0063.jpg)

(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh58/rgseng/expansion/expand0065.jpg)

A short stop in Mancos to drop off the mail

(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh58/rgseng/expansion/expand0067.jpg)

(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh58/rgseng/expansion/expand0069.jpg)

#32

Looks like you had a good time today. Just rewards for all the hard work.
The GRR is looking real nice.
And what an improvement on the flat car. A little work went a long way.
Ralph

#33

Very nice keep the pictures coming.

#34
Ralph Berg said:
Looks like you had a good time today. Just rewards for all the hard work. The GRR is looking real nice. And what an improvement on the flat car. A little work went a long way. Ralph
Yea, it still needs some lettering, but it runs just fine without it.............this was it's "maiden voyage"......;)
#35

““maiden voyage””??? Ain’t that supposed to have a bheer bottle smashed on it, to christen it??? hehehe :slight_smile:

Beautiful pictures, Ken… Layout is looking good…

#36

Ken,
It looks totally bangin as far as I’m concerned!
Do the flannels on the clothes line have a button rear flap?
:wink:

#37

Great pictures, Ken. Thanks for sharing.

#38

Very nice pictures and RR. I love the look of those box cars. Looks like the weather was good for once.

#39

It’s commin’ right along nicely Ken. Sure do wish I had a son in the landscape business :smiley: Your plantings look great.

#40
Jon Radder said:
It's commin' right along nicely Ken. Sure do wish I had a son in the landscape business :D Your plantings look great.
That's right I forgot about that, Ken is making the kid do all the work!:lol: Jon, I'm positive your boys are into landscaping they are just into the type of bushes you were about 30yrs ago????? Remember??? ;)