Large Scale Central

Ladder method? Be kind I'm a newbe to all this

Track and Trestles
#1

Hi
I have seen and read something about “Ladder method” for your track bed. I have tried to find out more about this but can’t seem to find out what it is or how you do it. If anyone knows were I can find out more about this could you please point me in the right direction. I suffered really bad ground heave this winter and need to come up with a better way then just on the ground and minus for ballest.

I thought I would have been safe with 6" of crushed rock for a bedding and then doing the minus for ballest but a really wet then cold, then wet, then cold did in all my hard work. So time to try again and hope I don’t goof again.

If there are any other things I should know about doing a train in a area that has four season I am open to all help and advice anyone has for me.

Thanks
Geoff

P.S. I do have some pictures up on my website. www.gtechdesign.com

#2

This should help explain it a little better…Bruce Chandler did a very extensive log on his construction methods.

http://www.largescalecentral.com/LSCForums/viewtopic.php?id=6204

I live in the northeast and experienced the same problems you did with frost heave. After 10 or so years of dealing with it and track power I tore out the whole layout and started over. Switched to R/C and Batteries and went with a ladder method of roadbed. Seems to be holding up fine after 2 years.

http://www.geocities.com/RodeoDrive/4497/RGSpage4.htm

#3

Here are a few photos of my ladder that I built this summer, using the same methods as Bruce

(http://zbd.com/photos/OnePoint20/NewTrackwork/IMGP2605.JPG)

(http://zbd.com/photos/OnePoint20/NewTrackwork/IMGP2795.JPG)

(http://zbd.com/photos/OnePoint20/NewTrackwork/IMGP2798.JPG)

I used TufBoard 1x2 and 2x2 pressure treated wood, cut into 2" chunks, as the spacers. The track is raised up on anything I had handy.

#4

http://www.btcomm.com/trains/primer/roadbed/ladder1.htm

#5

Thank you all. This looks like the way to go.
All I have to do now is wait for spring and get her done.

#6
geoff george said:
Thank you all. This looks like the way to go. All I have to do now is wait for spring and get her done.
Yup, I have similar intentions. Of course, hereabouts, spring arrives June 24, followed by fall on the 26th.
#7

Bob McCown said:
Here are a few photos of my ladder that I built this summer, using the same methods as Bruce

(http://zbd.com/photos/OnePoint20/NewTrackwork/IMGP2605.JPG)

(http://zbd.com/photos/OnePoint20/NewTrackwork/IMGP2795.JPG)

(http://zbd.com/photos/OnePoint20/NewTrackwork/IMGP2798.JPG)

I used TufBoard 1x2 and 2x2 pressure treated wood, cut into 2" chunks, as the spacers. The track is raised up on anything I had handy.

Bob, How is your work surviving the Winter? Can you get out there to look?

#8

Its still under ice and snow, but it peeked out a bit last week and its holding up fine, from what I can tell.

#9

Geoff, living in sunny Perth, where the snow never falls and the ice never forms, I have no knowledge of the ladder method. Judging by the other posts, you’re getting all the help you need in that area.

I did follow your link. WOW!!! “Duelling Banjos” is superb, not to mention the train videos and your account of the railway’s construction.

If any of you blokes who have checked this thread out haven’t yet done so, Geoff’s web site is a MUST SEE. His Christmas Light videos are brilliant!

Next time my grandsons visit, we’ll let 'em watch the Santa video - they’ll love it!

Thanks, Geoff, and keep up the great work!

#10

Thank you Dave.
I’m hoping to get the train running right so I can run them all the time with the lights. I wish I could have gotten better video of the lights for this year but weather and other things kept me from getting it done. Next year I will have four houses in the light show and with luck the trains as well.

Everyone has been a great help. Now if the weather would just help I could get to work. Something about being outside when its 8 that just don’t work for me.

#11

Ric are you a member of the GGRC? I joined this past year and I think I saw some of the members in your pictures.

#12

Hi Geoff I checked out your site and I agree very nice work. I’m running track power and also using the ladder method. For me it was a trial and error method and mistakes were made. I personally prefer the Trim plank over the tuff board to work with but either works well. So far it has held up to 2 PA ice storms and a bit of snow. In fact this past Friday I finished work early and came home to plow the tracks which was a hoot! I have a pics. album (I’m a Swedish car wrench so it’s Saab pics) but it may help a bit. http://saabpics.com:3000/gallery2/v/MrWinkey/Railroad/?g2_page=1

(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f72/Shortybear/The%20Railroad/Jan2008001.jpg)

(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f72/Shortybear/The%20Railroad/Jan2008011.jpg)

#13
geoff george said:
Ric are you a member of the GGRC? I joined this past year and I think I saw some of the members in your pictures.
Geoff, Yes, we are members. I apologize for the slow response. Out of town at a conference right now
#14

David, checked out your pictures. You have done some very nice work. I like how you did the two mains. Look like its faster then doing a ladder for each one by itself. I also run track power so I’m glade it has been working for you.
Thanks again.

#15
Ric Golding said:
geoff george said:
Ric are you a member of the GGRC? I joined this past year and I think I saw some of the members in your pictures.
Geoff, Yes, we are members. I apologize for the slow response. Out of town at a conference right now
No problem Ric. I guess I will have to do a better job of picking peoples minds at the meetings.
#16

David, I’d love to see a video of your plow in action!

#17

Ok
I came across this stuff the other day and thoguht it might work for the ladder system. I just have to find someone that sell the stuff in St.Louis now.
http://www.fibertechpolymers.com/smartedge.php

They have what they call bender board. Could save me time and maybe money if I can get a price on it.
Thought I would see if anyone has seen this stuff or has used it or would like to use it.

Thanks
Geoff

#18

Geoff -

I think that stuff will be too thin to give you the stability yo are looking for. You want the roadbed to easily curve while it’s unassembled, but once your curves are formed and the blocks screwed it you want it to be fairly rigid.

I need to give ladder another look. I was thinking of pouring concrete for this summers expansion, but ladder is probably a lot less work.

#19
Jon Radder said:
Geoff -

I think that stuff will be too thin to give you the stability yo are looking for. You want the roadbed to easily curve while it’s unassembled, but once your curves are formed and the blocks screwed it you want it to be fairly rigid.

I need to give ladder another look. I was thinking of pouring concrete for this summers expansion, but ladder is probably a lot less work.


Jon your correct on the edging stuff I was thinking the same thing, but the bender board,( diff page of there website, )is like 3/8 or so thick and with the spacer blocks I would think it would hold. But that is why I’m asking to see if anyone has used it. If I can find a place to get it I might try a small section and see. I like the ladder method but was looking to save some time. If I don’t have to rip the boards then that should save time.

Thanks for your thoughts keep them coming.

#20

Sorry Geoff, the bender board won’t work. It’s too thin to give track support and it doesn’t have much structural strength. You’ll have the same problem they had with the ripped down Trex, it will sag between supports.

-Brian