Happy New Year Y’all, We got finally got started! This weekend marks the 2 year Anniversary of my first LS Train encounter in Gatlinburg TN. I guess it is pretty fitting that we start digging today 1-1-07. I have a daughter due the first week of February, so I’m gonna try to get a lot done in 5 weeks! I have decided to lay track following the method described by Kevin Strong in his expose written for GR Mag. The area used is a mature raised bed that has been around since our home was built in 1992. It is adjacent to the play area for the kids and parts can be viewed from our deck. I wanted to be close to the kids area, so we could play together! The area used is on a 5% grade as calculated with an tripod instrument. Some fill was move around to compensate, but we didn’t want it to be flat! We have a few hundred feet of track-not sure how much, and it was all purchased over the last 18 months from MLS and LSC members Thanks Guys! It is used and as dirty as I could find. There is quite a mix of LGB and Aristo. We will be running battery powered locos and controlling with RCS equipment. Since I bought used track and didn’t really know what I had, and I found it hard to develop a track plan with the PC using the planning software. I laid it all out a few (hundred) times and finally came up with what I liked. Our line is a “what if” Narrow Gauge Smokey Mountain/Foothills logging/mining line that host a small amount of passenger service-consisting mainly of short freight trains-6 or seven cars max. There will be 3 independent loops. One a folded dogbone, another a simple oval loop, and lastly a small figure 8 “over and under” mountain top line. The Dogbone is the longest loop featuring two tunnels. It is laid out to look like 2 main lines running side by side that swing out in big loops at each end (10’ or 11’ curves). One tunnel will be just shy of 10’ long and will have an access port in the center, the other less than 3’. There is one passing siding on the “main” for a small station. There will be a couple of sidings on this loop for industry. The Oval will feature a curved tunnel and a short 10’+/- curved trestle over a dry wash. There will be a few spurs/sidings on this loop that may lead to short branch lines or stay as sidings. There will also be a pretty nice “cut” on the upper end exiting the curved tunnel just before the trestle. I really wanted to build a Big Tall Impressive Trestle, but right now they grade is too low, and I’ll shoot for what works. The Over and Under Loop will be located atop the Mountain that houses all the above listed tunnels. This line will be run by “Bill” my Saddletank-pushing Bachmann and HLW Ore Cars from a “what if” mine…I may be able to insert a trestle in this loop too (5" curves here-link and pin couplers). I was inspired to add this loop while watching the far-fetched (it’s soo easy!) DIY show “Working on the Railroad”. I then decided to try an over under after reading Jack V.'s new book-we shall see! We decided, due to funding constraints that a water feature was out of reach. Therefore the mountain got bigger to house all the tunnels-(good topsoil) dirt is free (father in law has a Bobcat), and it allows a scenery break. Rocks and such will follow… Here are a few shots of how we got started… Overview of area in question
Shot down the Hill
Placed flags in track-didn’t want to paint the ties. Pulled up track, then painted with inverted paint.
Eli helped remove flags in prep for trenching!
Speaking of trenching…this little 2-stroke genius was a great asset!
A shot of the trench-easy(almost)work…still had to clean out with shovel. The trench is about 6/7" wide…
Here are the rebar inserted in trench on grade-pvc will attach here-painted yellow so I could find!
well, that ain’t too bad for the first day. The upper end hasn’t been trenched yet-gotta move the Bobcat in one more time for the mountains, once the tunnels are set on grade. We are using 12" corrugated drain pipe for the tunnels-it don’t bend, so I may have to make some changes on the curved one. I’ll be back with some more when something happens! Cale, Eli and Luke Nelson Brothers R/R
Mines a teenager now and would rather be elsewhere than helping Dad in the yard.
It is nice to have those memories. Your son will always be able to say, “I helped my Dad build the railroad, and this is what I did.” Make sure that he has a project that is his, alone, and then keep it, no matter how “interesting” it is.
