they actually never made it into the ground, they had been in pots since purchase (although I did upsize pots once)…I plan on either planting them dead, or trimming down to use as a load on a flat car?
cale
Well I got tired of doing nothing, so I decided to do something. my long tunnel runs downhill, and the transition just below was “alright” but the pilot on the Annie would scrub “bottom-out” if you will. So after kicking around some Ideas, we went to work.
here is the bottom entrance of the tunnel, you can see it is quite a sharp change of grade!!
A broader view. This is a shot looking up hill…the “Dual Main” on the Folded Dogbone loop. Grade in question is right track.
There was a short passing siding in this stretch of track.I removed it…too short!
with the siding removed and track un-screwed from PVC sub-road bed
Here is where the work really began…
I took up old PVC and left the rebar in place-too hard to remove! I then brought the track up to the level I thought would be “OK” to begin the transition “down hill”. Notice the height! I then “temped” the rebar in place to get an idea of the route to re-run the line. I would eventually lower it from this point, to make the trans from the tunnel a little smoother.
You may notice the track in the foreground, see how close it sits to the “new” PVC? well I’ll get to that in a min! here is another vantage shot from near the tunnel end, looking downhill.
and from the bottom looking up.
now here is where it got fun… Since I had elevated the inside track, and had not decided how to build up under it (Crib, bents, rock…) I was afraid the ROW would be too close to the other…hence another “move”…now I had to remove the front line and relocate. I first decided where I’d like to move it to and trenched out for the rebar and PVC.
the track in question is laying in foreground. this was go #1
but I didn’t like how the curve was so steep.so… I did this…
I took up another 3’ section and made the bend a little more believable. A look down the hill. You may notice the cut in the PVC, it equaled less than 1" difference from original track plan.
Because of the move of the front track, all was shifted closer to the “edge” of the banking… So I planted some rocks along the ROW to help hold the ballast in place. I’d really love to build a retaining wall to allow an expansion even further, but since #4 is on the way…
I would like to make some “green” planting here to help with washing and break the scenery a little. Good thing I have a load of stone huh?
here is another look up the hill, with all the stones I could stand to bury. The track is laid there just to see how much bending would be needed.
Another view uphill. One can really see how far to the Right I moved the rear line. This may afford some space for other small plantings and possibly a building or some trees? all done in time to shower and enjoy the Big Game! Congrats Giants! so it continues!
Nice, the new alignment looks a lot better.
Cale Nelson said:
Well I got tired of doing nothing, so I decided to do something.
here is the bottom entrance of the tunnel, you can see it is quite a sharp change of grade!!
A broader view. so it continues!
Oh thats not such a bad grade, just get yerself a nice Shay, pull’em car right up that! 
thanks Ray, I believe it will work better too!
Vic, that is on the list, a 2 truck, maybe one day, I love that little AC Open Cab! Surprisingly enough the Annie worked the grade pretty well, but I normally ran the other way, so it could cruise down the big hill.
cale
Are you going to lay some rock on edge to form a cut / retaining wall for the other track?
Sean…the one I elevated? maybe, that or build cribbing in place…trying to decide what to do…what do you all think?—the rock may be easier?
thanks
cale
Yes the elevated one.
I used some Cobble stone on edge in one area.
It was fairly easy.
This should help. Pics do help!
Sean -
What’s the elevation change from the top track to the yard? That almost looks like an outdoor version of Ric’s Helix from Hell.
Jon
It’s not bad when you just run down hill!
I got back to work over the weekend, actually yesterday afternoon… I “shored” up the upper line, added ballast to the top and bottom, joined track on both lines on one end and almost got the loop running again! The Train-Li Bender is thing to have! What a tool!
A close up of the new tunnel exit/entrance…there is still a grade, but the transition is much better!
another shot, backed out a little
Looking down.
A reverse shot
Looking Up-grade on the bottom line.
This new “multi-level” format really gets me going, look for another loop a little higher, maybe on/thru the mountain…or something! I checked clearances with my Annie and an AMS Stock Car…it is looking pretty good…Now I need something to plant that will fall/grow over the rocks… Cale
Now I need something to plat that could fall over the rocks…
If you meant “plant”, instead of “plat” - we uesd a couple of trays of english ivy to get something on the ground and prevent erosion for a couple of years, while we finished the hillside and track plan. After about 3 years we pulled some of that and started planting sedums that were encouraged and along with some dwarf alberta spruces have now replaced all of the ivy.
Cale sent out the Big Bird Special to look for landmines…
Oops! Looks like he found one…
Cale every thing is going great !! Just as you come out of the tunnell on the left/between the two tracks would be a great place for an Alberta Spruce!! Now were the fallen engine is you could put a japenese Maple? Keep those pics coming! Sean
Sean, that was a thought I had…the spruce…really shady in summer time…what say the gardeners?
cale
If it’s shady, those two trees would be a good choice. Just make sure they get enough water!
No Trees planted yet…but more rocks found themselves planted this past Sunday afternoon…the Weather was great and the Boys wanted to play outside…Caidyn and Mom needed a nap. So out came the Wheelbarrow, Miter Saw, Side Grinder, Compressor and Pin Nailer…TA-DAAA!!
Planted rocks to get me some more space, then added cribbing to hold fill
another shot…I know…“will he ever put a cab on that Ten Wheeler?”
So I have a siding now…don’t know why I didn’t make it a passing siding, but may go back to that?
This is Luke…yep he’s getting bigger, and my household train nut! The LGB switcher in the photos is the Birthday Project from last July I just finished-almost. What a runner…I’d take a fleet of those things! Thinking now of the little Jonny if they can still be had for a reasonable price? till next time! cale