Large Scale Central

Mik's2018 BC Todd Haskins

The MIK - Annual Build Challenge
#1

This years challenge is another great idea from the mind of Dave T and I’m sure many will rise to the challenge and present us with their awesome builds.

I’m still looking for inspiration to strike but I had better throw my hat in the ring and let you guys know that I’m in the challenge.

I am weighing 2 ideas in my mind and trying to figure out how much lumber I can get out of a short section of 2x4.

The ideas are replacing a long low trestle that is falling apart after 9 years and the other is a coaling tower facade to be placed in my main yard.

Once I get my head around either of these ideas I will be back with the napkin sketch.

#2

Sketch 'em both … Until we begin, we can change our minds and plans as much as we want! I’m on my 2nd crayon already.(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-tongue-out.gif)

#3

I have decided on building the trestle/ bridge to replace the one that is rotting out.

The old bridge is one of my early structures being built in 2007 and the pilings are rotted and supporting pieces have been falling off.

My only issue is that the bridge is 7’ long and I would like to use 2, 1/2 x1/2 stringers in my build to make this strong and when those are cut I will go to the allotted 50 inch piece of 2x4 if that is OK.

The style of bridge will depend on how much wood I can get out of the 2x4. I would like to do a trestle up to a center span of 12- 18 inches and build either a short pony truss or maybe a double king post style bridge. Once the wood is stripped to the 1x2 x 1/2 size I use we shall see what type of bridge I can build. If I have enough wood I will put a few platforms for fire fighting sand buckets and safety stands for workers to let trains go by.

Here is my napkin doodles of a few plans.

(http://www.largescalecentral.com/filesharing/file/view/6412/mik2018napkin-jpg)

Here is the bridge that will be replaced with a crew checking on it. It is 7 feet long and 8 inches high.

#4

‘My only issue is that the bridge is 7’ long and I would like to use 2, 1/2 x1/2 stringers in my build to make this strong and when those are cut I will go to the allotted 50 inch piece of 2x4 if that is OK. "

Hey it’s fine by me, but nobody listens to me…(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-yell.gif)

#5

The 7’ stringers are support features and, like the ties, ballast, and track, are not part of the Challenge build, and I’m very sure you had the material for the stringers before January 1st, so in my opinion you is good.

#6

John Passaro said:

The 7’ stringers are support features and, like the ties, ballast, and track, are not part of the Challenge build, and I’m very sure you had the material for the stringers before January 1st, so in my opinion you is good.

Methinks you over explained it. I was willing to grant the variance for strength.

I’m planning on herring bone stringers, (I didn’t know they were so salty in the can).(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-tongue-out.gif)

My stringers will be part of the design for the judging.(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)

#7

Today lots of sawdust was made. I lucked out with the weather being about 50 and not 10 since I cut outdoors. I ripped the 7’ pieces from the 8’ 2x4 then cut a 50" section from the remainder and ripped it down on the table saw. It looks like it will be enough for my trestle bridge plans but I know how the wood disappears quickly once I get cutting. The next step is to start making the bents.

The boss in a sea of sawdust.

#8

Well I ripped the length of 2x4 over the weekend and many of the pieces since then have twisted up. I got the OK to replace the bad pieces but now I’m thinking that if I make a nice bridge out of this junk that it too will warp. Now I’m thinking about using the twisted pieces and building a wonky shack or a dilapidated building and when the rest of it decides to bend up and pieces fall off it will be OK.

#9

We understand free thinking best on a napkin…(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)

There is no penalty of which I’m aware, for changing our minds. (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-foot-in-mouth.gif)

At work the first thought was to placate the boss, then I could really think about it…(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)

#10

I usually don’t use a napkin because I can’t find one. And if I have one I can’t find a pen! No wonder I do plans in my head. I may forget what I am doing but I just think of a new plan!

#11

I can’t believe how far along some of you guys are and how far behind I am… OH well. I think my wood has finally stopped warping and after carefully measuring what I have it is not going to be enough to build that bridge I had originally thought of so now it is back to plan B while scrapping plan C the Delapidated house. Plan B was to build a facade of an old coaling tower for my main yard. I was just out taking measurements and getting my head wrapped around it and it should be doable.

I used up all my napkins on sketching other ideas and wiping my brow of sweat from the pressure of the build challenge deadline that will be here before we know it so here is my sketch on a regular piece of scrap paper.

I’m going to go get cutting before I change my mind again.

#12

You can replace the warped wood with more 2x4, just add the saw dust too… when figuring how much.

We be friends first, sticklers second… if at all(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)

If it makes you feel better, I’m still on a weather hold, my shop is outdoors. Cold>windy>rain…(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-yell.gif)

#13

And that will last a few more days if our cold front goes your was John. We barely made it into the 40s for a high today. And it was windy!

#14

A few more ideas were fleshed out on the paper where a winch house was added to the top.

Saturday I actually managed to get 8 pieces of wood cut and remembered to cut a 10 degree angle at the top to accommodate the pitch of the roof. Nothing was done today.

#15

Progress has finally been happening. Two walls of the frame were glued and nailed and test fitted where this tipple will be going today.

A slight adjustment was made in the width and the side pieces were then added making this a solid structure that can now be added onto from my quickly dwindling supply of wood.

There is still lots of planning and designing to do but that is a big part of the fun for me.

#16

Nice progress, Todd. Tipple should look good in that spot. I am with you on the planning and designing. I enjoy that part as much or more than the actual building.

#17

Posting that more fun has been had over the last few days and more bracing and beams have been placed and one side of the coal bin has been planked.

I had originally cut my 2x4 chunk with plans for another build that would require mostly 1/2x1/2 so now that plans have changed I took several of those lengths and with the aid of a make shift fence on my band saw I am able to rip 3 planks. I don’t think I will have enough but will take it as far a I can.

I had a windfall today. My office is next to a convenience store and for the last month I have been staring at a piece of junk that blew from there and landed in the woods that separate us. I went to check it out and it is a good chunk of coroplast nearly 2x4. Somehow this sign advertising gas rewards found its way to my shop… and a bit of it might just find its way onto my coal tipple.

#18

Lol we are a crazy lot when flying junk catches our attention and we investigate for possible modeling supplies.

#19

Looking good!

#20

The coal bunker walls have started to go on. The low angle pieces were a measure, cut, sand repeat effort but they got on pretty good.

I really like this snap where the late afternoon sun came through my shop window and cast shadows on the bones of the build.

I really like adding the little detail support parts that add interest to the structure. Our engineering minds tell us they should be there.

Does the build need these extra bits to stand strong? No I just think they look cool.

I’m running low on the allotted wood and will press on to get as much done as possible and post a photo when I am out.

There will be a winch house at the top and an enclosed house at the bottom. I have been drawing inspiration for this tipple using photos from the one at Chama but this one is greatly compressed to fit in the designated area. I have not decided on a roof material and have thought about using wood shingles, metal from one of our old real estate signs or perhaps pieces from that coroplast sign that I “borrowed” from the convenience store and then get the crimper out to make some corrugated panels to cover it.

We shall see.