Large Scale Central

Major update on the RGSNH

Track and Trestles
#1

There used to be a railroad here! an engine house to be exact.

20241231_131646
20241231_1316461920×1080 119 KB

the engine house has been removed:
20241127_141642
20241127_1416421920×1080 150 KB

20241127_141730
20241127_1417301920×1080 107 KB

the plan: the new roundhouse will be in the crawlspace.
NEW ROUNDHOUSE
the three existing yard tracks get extended as well. An approximately 32 high x 7’-2" opening in the concrete wall.
the old engine house is potentially available. because it was up on a bench at eye height, the far side roof and walls were not covered in corrugated tin, and some floor boards are loose because the screws holding the structure down were under those. PM any interest.
20241127_141805
20241127_1418051920×1080 144 KB

so this was phase two of the project, to open up the crawlspace to remove earth behind. I had bought on eBay a 16" concrete saw, and before it arrived saw a bad review on YouTube, so was skeptical of success, and finally got up the courage to give it a try. it works fine 1" at a time, i did try 2" but it didn’t like it and tripped out the breaker.
as you can see i have had success with phase two, opening up the entrance to the crawlspace just below bench work height.
20241231_131657
20241231_1316571920×1080 149 KB

next comes further earth removal.

AL P.

#2

Wow, ambitions plan! So this isn’t the crawlspace beyond the stairs, where the track exits to outdoors, but a different one I didn’t know about?

Be cautious about how much of that load bearing block you remove without a header.

#3

Jon,
This one has been obscured by the old engine house, and the backdrop.
I plan on putting a new header in the 7" opening, and will probably just frame in the old window opening.

lots of work

AL P.

1 Like
#4

Update on the Big dig. this past Thursday I had three friends over and we made a big dent with a bucket brigade, and in the three days since motivated have removed even more to the point i think i am past the halfway mark. the new engine house will be in this area.
View from the first opening:

20250120_135041
20250120_1350411920×1080 132 KB

view looking towards the new engine house location
20250120_135055
20250120_1350551920×1080 136 KB

once it is all dug out, i can start on removing the remaining concrete.

Al P.

#5

Nice! Do you know how deep the block goes before you reach the footer? Wouldn’t want to run out of foundation wall :open_mouth:

#6

Hi Al, wow, I agree with Jon, ambitious and, for me, a bit scary!

But I’m sure you’re approaching this with all your magnificent engineering brain, and that the house won’t fall down on you while you’re hand spiking code 250 rail under there.

And I’m sure the result will be amazing, but I’m having a hard time imagining where the new track will squirt out into the layout, and a what elevation?

#7

Cliff, go back to my original post and look @ the 2d drawing. the existing opening is on the left, the new opening is yet to be cut out where the track will extend into.

Jon, i think i found the top of one of the footer on Sunday. the new framing will be just above it.

AL P.