Large Scale Central

Construction on The Sunny View Line

Track and Trestles
#61

Bill,
I’m using what they call "pea"gravel around here. It is not “round” gravel. The gravel is not quite as small as I would prefer, but the smallest gravel available in a truck load. I started with 8 tons and will probably have to get more to finish the second line.

HJ,
The wye design is a bit of a compromise. Unfortunately, I have more left hand switches than right hand switches. As a result, I also had to use two left hand switches for the “runaround” in the yard.
For some reason, I can usually get a “deal” on LH switches on eBay, while the RH switches get run up higher than retail.
The wye location was also a compromise. I would have rather located the wye off the long straight, but space limitations excluded that scenario.
I have several tight S curves on the layout. They have not given me any problems and add much to the visual appeal.
The entire layout has been built using 1 foot sectional track and R1 curves. This causes many compromises, as things have to be designed to match up…no flex track to make things easy.
Ralph

#62

Ralph,

"For some reason, I can usually get a “deal” on LH switches on eBay, while the RH switches get run up higher than retail.

Now you got me looking and counting your left hand turnouts. :wink:

#63
Ralph Berg said:
The entire layout has been built using 1 foot sectional track and R1 curves. This causes many compromises, as things have to be designed to match up............no flex track to make things easy. Ralph
Wow, that's a lot of joints for track power. Also not the most economical way to buy rail. I really like your layout, I hope that decision doesn't cause a lot of frustration in the future. You can always go battery power and then int doesn't matter.
#64
Jon Radder said:
Ralph Berg said:
The entire layout has been built using 1 foot sectional track and R1 curves. This causes many compromises, as things have to be designed to match up............no flex track to make things easy. Ralph
Wow, that's a lot of joints for track power. Also not the most economical way to buy rail. I really like your layout, I hope that decision doesn't cause a lot of frustration in the future. You can always go battery power and then int doesn't matter.
The aluminum sectional track made the layout possible. I bought it for $52 a case. I bought seven cases and also some used brass sectional. At a little over $1 a foot I was easily able to convince myself I needed to build a garden railroad. So far I haven't had too many problems using track power. After the sun goes down it takes just a little more power and I can't run quite as slow in a couple areas. Ralph
#65

Oh - That’s Aluminum. From the pictures I thought it was stainless. I see battery power in your future :smiley:

#66

I never get my second line complete, because I’m always making changes to the operational line. This is how things looked after I extended the passing siding up to the upper end. The turnout has always been in a bad location.

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/cabby/_forumfiles/S1030822Medium1.JPG)

So I decided to extend the siding even further. This will move the turnout to a better location and allow me to reduce the grade on the siding. So here is the new plan. Construction to begin shortly. The bricks temporarily mark the bridge landing. I’m thinking maybe a tunnel here on the left. Ralph

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/cabby/_forumfiles/S1030827Medium.JPG)

#67

Wow Ralph I cant believe how far a long you guys are in Spring. We still have a few more weeks before we start seeing anything grow. Looking at those pictures makes me want Spring to come sooner up this way. The RR is looking good.

#68

Here is the upper end after winter. Time to set the buildings back out. The yard needs to be built. Then, maybe I can complete the outside line. Ralph

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/cabby/_forumfiles/S1030855Medium.JPG)

#69

Had a little Sun today. So I installed my switch and did the rough grading for the passenger siding. I also redid about 15 feet of the mainline. Before I raised the roadbed and improved the drainage this section had been washed over. Electrical contact should be much improved now. Ralph

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/cabby/_forumfiles/S1030878Medium.JPG)

#70

We got some more snow, today.

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/stevef/Plow_set.jpg)

#71

Thought I’d post a picture of the yard here. Unreal, but I’ve now used 8 tons of gravel building the RR. An entire tandem truck load…and I need more =( I never thought I would use half of the load of gravel, much less need more. I still have about 30 feet of mainline to install that will require gravel, as well as future industrial sidings. Another 15 feet that won’t need gravel…but need to build a bridge. Ralph

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/cabby/_forumfiles/GRR5007Medium.jpg)

#72

Here are a couple of photos from last spring, when I started construction.

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/cabby/_forumfiles/100_0098Small.JPG)

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/cabby/_forumfiles/100_0304Small.JPG)

So here it is one year later. The outer loop is still not finished. But things sure have changed in 1 year.

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/cabby/_forumfiles/S1030903Medium.JPG)

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/cabby/_forumfiles/spr6019Medium.jpg)

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/cabby/_forumfiles/spr6014Medium.jpg)

#73

Things move rather slowly on the Sunny View Line as well as the Pacolet Valley Railroad. Think Petticoat Junction. To celebrate the 4th of July I finished the yard approach. This was not easy, as much of the track and switches were bought used. The painted track and switches I bought from Bruce cleaned up rather easily. The old and heavily tarnished LGB track was another story. It required some heavy duty effort with the wire wheel. Each of the three approach tracks are isolated and can be independantly controlled. Brunt Interlocking, on the right, has been repaired after wind damage and is back in service.

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/cabby/_forumfiles/PVRYARD002Medium.jpg)

The yard itsellf should be much easier. Mostly new track and switches. I hope to have it done by next weekend

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/cabby/_forumfiles/PVRYARD005Medium.jpg)

#74

Ralph you’ve definitly moved along and it’s looking great. How’s the yard location doing?

Dave

#75

That’s one impressive looking yard lead.

#76

That’s looking good, Ralph. I’m happy my old stuff found a new home - and it’s an impressive home at that.

#77

Looks good…I think you need a few more interlocking towers!
:wink:

#78

nice work, ralph…

#79

Ken Brunt said:
That’s one impressive looking yard lead.

Thanks Guys, I am happy with the yard lead. I’m sure it doesn’t match any prototype. But it’s fuctional. And I think it looks cool. There are 8 switches in the yard lead, including the two entering the main line. Today I worked on putting the yard together. I’m almost done. I have one section of track for the runaround I need to cut and some final ballasting left to do. Each siding in the yard has at least 7 1/2 feet of usable space. Eventualy I’d like to extend them all by 3 feet.

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/cabby/_forumfiles/PHYARD006Medium.jpg)

David R, I thought two Interlockings would be enough :wink: There will be a Yard Master’s shack at the head of the yard. David M, The yard does work much better at this location. Access is improved 100%. All the switches are within easy reach and plenty of room to walk on either side. I plan on replacing the large rocks with pavers. This will give a flat surface on the driveway side. Ralph

#80

Roughed in the Sunny View Depot. I still need to backfill and grade the station. After backfilling, the bottom of the depot will be about the same height as the retaing wall. A freight dock will be built on the right side of the Depot

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/cabby/_forumfiles/summerfun010Medium.jpg)

A three car consist dwarfs the Depot.

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/cabby/_forumfiles/summerfun024Medium.jpg)

(http://www.lscdata.com/users/cabby/_forumfiles/summerfun020Medium.jpg)