Large Scale Central

EBT Robertsdale Layout Build Log

Modeling
#161

Yes Andy, Progress and this weekend was the cherry on top. I managed to get all the sections of elevated road bed done and filled with lime stone crusher fines.

Dave, you may be pleased to note that I fixed that bit of tough gradient at the end. (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)In fact where the wide bench work ends is where things now level out and the whole loop is dead level.

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I had a helper who was very excited about doing some shoveling of ballast. He got about 180 degrees of the curve filled before something else caught his interest. By dark I had the track fully assembled and in to each leg of the lop about 6 feet. I had to quit there due to lack of rail clamps. I’ll be calling RLD today!

#162

Impressive! Good work so far. (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)

#163

Looks as if your doing just fine without Shawn’s pink hat…(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)

#164

oops, double post.

#165

Weekend work looks great, also… (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)

#166

Thanks guys, I’m really happy to be done with ROW construction. I burned all the scrap bits of wood last night. Even if I had “the pink hat” it would be of no use since it’s always dark now. I’ve resorted to getting up and getting ready for work early, then I work for about an hour in the first rays of daylight and head off to work. I just ordered 100 split jaws from RLD. Assuming they get here in a few days I should have the last bit of track on the loop in place by weeks end. Finally a runnable loop! (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-smile.gif)

This is all I wanted to have done before the winter. I’ll work on some more switch building over the winter and be ready to hit the ground running with the rest of the trackwork in the spring.

#167

Looks great Randy (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-smile.gif)

#168

Looks great, Randy! Keep up the good work, old man winter is right around the corner!

-Kevin.

#169

Looking good randy and that smile is the best part.

#170

Just in a nick of time. I got the last bits of track installed Saturday then proceeded to ballasting and cross-leveling. I went out yesterday morning (22 deg) to bring in two hoppers I left out and while pulling them around the lower loop saw a flat spot in the curve. I went to give it an adjustment and… froze solid! Glad I got it all buttoned up before winter. Those boards laid on diagonal are to discourage the kitties from doing their business on the untracked areas.

EBT PGH aerial

#171

Nice work Randy. Everything is looking good. Glad the weather has held out this fall.

#172

Randy Lehrian Jr. said:

EBT PGH aerial

Where will your sidings be located? To the right of the main or to the left?

Nice birds eye view…(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)

#173

Thanks Guys, just trying to keep up with all those pink hats out there !

I think it’s time to re-post this picture:

Robertsdale Layout

Most of the siding will go to the left where those 2x4 cut offs are lying. The exceptions to this are the wye and the Engine house tracks. I’m planning on starting with the wye and it’s freight siding in the spring. Just because it’s so fun. Then I’ll cross to the other side of the main and get the yard tracks put in. This will ease the temptation on the neighborhood cats to use all that acreage for their business. I’ll most likely do the engine house tracks last. If your’e sharp you’ll see the the loop by the house had to be “flopped” the other way than it appears on the drawing to fit the space, but it all worked.

The aerial view was taken from our 3rd floor deck which is actually 4 floors above ground at the back of the house. It’s about the size of a postage stamp but has great views. The 1st floor deck railing sticks out below the third in the photo. Gotta love Pittsburgh houses.

#174

Ok, got my bearings now…thought I saw 2 switches in the middle that pic, but I wasn’t sure…(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)

#175

The location of our house provides a pretty good view of town and it’s Fourth of July fire works. Annually this draws a few of my friends over. This year there was also an overwhelming desire among my friends to see the railroad operate. Not being my self without turning an easy thing into a major project, I decided with 2 weeks before the event that I should build two switches and add the wye to the layout. I only had to do the two points switches that form the passing siding for the Freight House. I had already built the tail track switch last year. (info Here)

I was really surprised at how fast I was able to build the two switches, which was good because I think I underestimated all the work to be done out side. Robby sent me several 10-Mile ground throws, so the switches were built with the throws in place. A much better method. Next I had to add the ground throws to all the switches on the layout. I’m not sure what I was thinking without having them there in the first place. Next I dug a bunch of fill dirt from other areas of the yard to build up the area a bit and create troughs were the ballast would go. This saved a lot of valuable ballast and I think makes things look better in the end. I poured a 2 inch thick concrete slab where the Freight House would sit, and then had to get a bit creative with how to elevate the tail track with enough length to be of use. A little top soil thrown over everything really dresses it up and gives a good base for some type of eventual planting.

The first two shots give an idea of how the new addition fits in:

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These next two shots are the same accept for I tried Shawn’s trick of the “chrome” filter in my camera on the second. Pretty neat.

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This last picture makes me feel like I’m finally getting to something of a respectable railway.

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Tonight I added an out side spigot to the house. Now I can place a motion activated sprinkler by the wye to guard it from our cat constantly digging it up. (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-undecided.gif)

#176

It’s about time you got back to work! (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)Looks great!!!

-Kevin.

#177

Randy,

Great pics. The natural look is best. Forget Shawn’s trick. It looks strange. (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)The railroad is starting to look good! (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-smile.gif)

#178

Try some crushed mothballs sprinkled where the kitties want to go …

Railroad looks real good too.

John

#179

Looking good Randy. Dont listen to Joe, hes the strange one. That Florida sun must be effecting his eyes(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)

#180

Kevin is right, It was about time. Thanks Guys, It’s much more fun to be running out there, Not that I’ve done it much since the 4th. Although the 3rd hopper #1012 is fresh out of the “paint” shop with new dry transfers. Monday night was supposed to be guys night while mom ran out for a bit. We the kid fell asleep at the dinner table and I ended up with a nice two hour spot to get that one off the list.

I like the chrome setting but think a lot depends on the light this was early morning sun that has a lot of richness in it color already. The lettering on the cars stands out much more in the normal exposure, but there is a different feel to the chrome photo to. May be something to try again during midday and evening.

Good thought on the mothballs John, I may give that a try too.

You don’t have to tell me about those Floridians, I have a sister that lives there! (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)