Large Scale Central

Post-TrainOps layout work

Making sure it’s safe to unload the tank cars at Goodson’s Batteries. These are walkways from @manimal 's 20 foot container car, resized up a bit.

Extended the siding a foot as well. Now I have room for the fence and gate.

4 Likes

Continuing work on the Majestic branch. Moving Majestic Colliery from where it is (which looks great but it’s nearly inaccessible during operations) to outside the loop. This involves a 2% grade and a curve to go down under the bridge over the now-defunct Oak Hill branch.

Mine will be located in this area to the left of the bridge in front of the wall. Exact location TBD.

Trackwork continues. Have about half the downhill loop complete.

And an overall look back so those that have been here can see the location.

1 Like

What greenery is Martha planting there or maybe be fire watch tower?

That’s going to be a path through into the middle of the loop behind the big trestle. It always was a path anyway, just overgrown with sedum. Now it’ll be official.

Man do I miss Ken!!!

Especially right now!

4 Likes

We all miss our FRIEND Ken Brunt…all the time.
Fred Mills

1 Like

On a side note with the viaduct do it the :rooster: way . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . spray paint it Premium Decor Enamel Spray Paint, Almond, Gloss - Midwest Technology Products
And call it done !
Trust me on this :zipper_mouth_face:

Moving in some fill to get the grade under the bridge below 4%…

5 Likes

A bit more work. Have the grade right at 2%.

I used one of the half stone arches I have, and put it here for some interest. The switch in place now will be a RH not a wye.

And a view of the whole area. Wye will be here, Majestic Colliery will be off-camera to the left, with the other leg of the wye along the rocks on the right.

Need to haul in a bunch of fill for this whole area, and let it settle, so more trackwork here wont happen until spring.

2 Likes

The warm weather gave me the opportunity to add some lettering to one of the girder bridges.

2 Likes

Circutted vinyl?

Yep. I have an old Cricut Silhouette Cameo 1. Still going strong.

the letters correspond to the mining loco in the other thread. :grin:

Bob, I really admire all your upgrade energy, and the results look great.

My PTOLW is progressing… though much slower than yours. Having been inspired by TO '24, here’s my list:

  • Developing an entirely manual-op turnout approach, with some of the turnouts requiring a remote manual operator (working on that at present… it’s almost working but not quite yet)
  • Plans for the “operationally-necessary” layout extension done, incl. BOM & budget
  • Design of new train storage shed for said extension done, incl. BOM & budget

Now I just need to win the lottery to pay for everything, but I’ll work up a spreadsheet for that. :grinning_face_with_smiling_eyes:

Thanks for the continuing inspiration,
Cliff

Hoping that the build photos may still get posted too.

You forgot the trestle :kissing_heart:

1 Like

Dang, yeah Sean… My nemesis, the Trestle… And actually there’s 3 of them, crap… But you bet, that’s #2 after figuring our the switch controls. Thanks for reminding me…

1 Like

6 posts were merged into an existing topic: Trackwork at the new Majestic

Post-2025-TrainOps Layout Work

As always, a few issues popped up, and I’m working down my punchlist. I fixed the off-kilter track at Burke right at the coal tower (some warped wood, nothing a chisel couldnt fix) and I chopped off half of the bottom end of the temporary 2x6 bridge going into Franklin Falls, to avoid the big hump that was causing coupler separation.

The big one was clearance at Williamsport between the main and runaround. The track had shifted in about an inch. So a couple of stainless steel screws will keep the track in place. Used my clearance gauge (the 45 tonner) and a passenger car to check.

The largest issue is the downhill past the tunnel, right behind Marconi Macaroni. The wall has shifted slightly and the track has a huge (2") dip in it. I need to remove the rock, re-concrete things in place, and then backfill and ballast. That may start this weekend.

3 Likes