Sunday was a great day to work on the layout, and I got most of my yard completed. I also realigned the track that connects it to the main line.
Next up is to connect up to the turntable and add some storage tracks off the turntable. I think I’ll make one that can double as my steam-up bay.
Saturday was a gorgeous day. And, though I would have liked to be at the ECLSTS, I took advantage of the fine day to put down 2 cubic yards of topsoil.
I’ll be putting down ballast later. And lots of ground cover. Still got more to do. I think I need another couple yards, but first I need to build a retaining wall. I think I’ll either use landscape timbers or some treated 4x4s.
Hey…that ain’t fair!!
You were supposed to be overloaded with work type stuff…instead, your out playing in the garden while the rest of us are sweatin it out at the train show wondering if we’ll walk out of there with empty bank accounts!! And here you are at home, outside on a gorgeous day. playing trains. Now that’s foul play if I ever saw it…!!
No kidding! The old “Oh, Im too busy at work” ploy to get a jump on trackbuilding. Cheat!
Well Bruce, I hope you got your work caught up. You guys were really missed.
Jon Radder said:Jon:
. . . Everything on my pike is 332.JR
California & Oregon Coast Railway has a line of frogs, points and other parts for code 332 rail. The frogs are available in brass or epoxy. Good selection, including 2’ radius, then #3 to #10. Go to:
http://www.cocry.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=CO1332
They’re toward the bottom of the page.
Happy RRing,
Jerry Bowers
Thanks Jerry -
The road to somewhere is paved with good intentions… I spent an hour at Warrior Run at ECLSTS looking and buying Ozark castings and completely forgot to look for frogs. I also bought two Aristo locos to MU and completely forgot to look for the MU cables and battery plugs. I blame it on senility.
Anyway - since I spent twice my allowance at ECLSTS it will be a while before I buy anything else.
JR
Just nice enough to work outside today. So, after birding early this morning, and cleaning out the gutter anticipating a major storm, there was time to do a bit of work on the railroad. Although I built my stone mill a few years ago, it never had a proper siding. Even with my redesign, I couldn’t get the track to curve enough to have a siding for the mill. Well, the rain was teasing me all morning, but I did manage to move the mill.
It’s not that I had to move it THAT far, but I did have to move the “mountain” that provided water for the pond. You can just make out a depression where the old pond used to be, just to the right of the daffodils. I also had to elevate the mill - and luckily had some dirt left over. I still need more dirt, but at least I can get to the mill now.
The platform is in for repairs. Raising the mill also provides a little more visual block as well.
What a nice weekend. I got the mil pretty much set. It now has a proper siding. I’ll have to rebuild the platform - the previous wood rotted out.
And the pond got moved.
There was also time to run my Shay.
And I finally ran some track to my turntable.
The rest of the time, I’ve been working on my switches. The rolling stock wants to pick the points, so I need to make some adjustments.
Bruce,
You said -
“The rolling stock wants to pick the points, so I need to make some adjustments.”
What wheels are you using?
I’m using Sierra Valley on my scratch built cars. But I have the same problem with my locomotives and AMS cars. I do believe I did not make the gap wide enough.
Bruce Chandler said:Bruce,
I'm using Sierra Valley on my scratch built cars. But I have the same problem with my locomotives and AMS cars. I do believe I did not make the gap wide enough.
Did you check all of the Back To Back distances of the wheel sets?
Hans-Joerg Mueller said:Bruce Chandler said:Bruce,
I'm using Sierra Valley on my scratch built cars. But I have the same problem with my locomotives and AMS cars. I do believe I did not make the gap wide enough.Did you check all of the Back To Back distances of the wheel sets?
Is there a “go/no-go” or “min/max” set of measurements for back-to-back distances of the wheelsets? Even with Gary Raymond’s wheelsets, I get a plethora of measurements. Even in the same package, they are different.
SteveF
Steve, I researched this and used the applicable specs:
http://www.elmassian.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=96&Itemid=106
The Aristo Gauge has a VERY nice go/no-go gauge, actually has a min and max for back to back, very easy to use, and my problems disappeared when all wheelsets were gauged to this, and I fixed my Aristo turnouts.
This page has all the specs on the gauge and relates them to the NMRA standards:
http://www.elmassian.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=85&Itemid=95
Since the gauge matches the standards very well, and is a inexpensive tool, I use it.
Regards, Greg
Thanks, Greg,
I guess I’ll have to get one of those things.
SteveF
Put in a retaining wall. Now I need to order 2 yards of topsoil and fill it in. Then we’ll add some more plants.
That building at the top right looks a little below grade, there, Bruce…
Fixed the elevation for that building… 2 more yards of topsoil…
And…a great day to run
Looking really good, Bruce. Looks like things are settling into place and taking on that “I’ve been here all the time” look.
Real class Bruce. Everything’s looking great and coming together exceptionally well. That stone mill is still absolutely beautiful!