Large Scale Central

The Jackson & Burke RR gets a turntable

Track and Trestles
#61

Well, the “stainless” steel shaft has rusted. So much so that it’s stuck to the Delrin bearings. I tried to get them off the shaft, but no luck. But, it still rotates. The bearing that was supposed to stay in place and allow the shaft to rotate now rotates instead.

One of the levers was a bit loose. The wood holding it in place had split. I put some JB Weld on the split and it’s as strong as ever.

A couple of the spikes holding the rails were coming out, but I just hammered them back in place.

I continually have to pick out acorns, bark pieces, twigs, and leaves from the turntable pit, but that’s my own fault for building underneath an oak tree.

But, it still operates nicely; we used it in operations just yesterday. I’m pleased.

#62

I should have put this post over here, instead of in my layout, so, NOW it IS here. (And there, too. )

Well…having a layout underneath the oak trees is nice for shade in the summer (although it doesn’t do much to reduce the humidity )

Unfortunately, between the acorns and the branches that fall - it is tough for my buildings and structures.

I had a branch fall on my turn-table bridge so it’s time to take it in for repairs…

I will need to resolder the railing as well as replace a few of the boards. Not a big deal, but it will take some work.

I was a bit optimistic when I posted that. Upon further examination, I discovered a lot of dry rot. A smart person would have rebuilt it, but I’ve never been accused of being very smart. So, just a few repairs were done instead of a rebuild.

I found I still had some cedar about the same thickness of the existing planks and replace a number of boards. I tried to address some of the dry rot with Plastic Wood and MagicSculpt. We’ll see if any of that actually holds up.

I also attempt to be really lazy on the repair of the hand rails - attempting to avoid soldering them I tried using glue as well as Magic Sculpt and Epoxy. When those attempts failed I ended up resoldering the handrails and actually soldered a thin brass strip across the top to hold it to the vertical pieces.

I repainted the railing and applied multiple coats of boiled linseed oil. Hopefully that will work better than the Behr’s I originally used.

After the “repairs”, it DOES look a bit better.

I probably should have replaced more of the planking than I did…

More junk has accumulated since I took this in a few months back.

Everything needs cleanup, but it’s still a bit damp from Friday’s rain…

Nothing bit me when I was cleaning out the turntable pit; I’m rather happy about that.

So, for something built in 2006, it doesn’t look TOO bad…

#63

Great job on the overhaul Bruce, that tt bridge looks as good as new!

#64

The refurbish looks great on the turntable…

#65

Okay, so when do we get to use it?..

#66

Ken Brunt said:

Okay, so when do we get to use it?..

I suspect it will be sometime after Kops! Plus it needs to not rain for at least 5 days - which doesn’t seem very likely…

#67

Looks good as new, Bruce… Just think, you don’t have to fool with it for another 13 years

#68

Dan Hilyer said:

Looks good as new, Bruce… Just think, you don’t have to fool with it for another 13 years

Yeah, it might outlast me…

#69

I probably should have replaced more of the planking than I did…

No way - much more prototypical to leave it slightly worn. Looks great.

#70

I agree with Pete. Looks old, but well cared for just the way you did it.

I’m going to threaten you with a possible visit. I’m seriously considering working only M-Thu this summer and getting out with the camper more. Your neck of the woods is well within range!

#71

Jon Radder said:

I agree with Pete. Looks old, but well cared for just the way you did it.

I’m going to threaten you with a possible visit. I’m seriously considering working only M-Thu this summer and getting out with the camper more. Your neck of the woods is well within range!

That would be cool.

I am NOT familiar with the campgrounds, but Burke Lake is VERY close; no idea if it’s any good or what it might cost.

#72

Bruce D. Chandler said:

Jon Radder said:

I agree with Pete. Looks old, but well cared for just the way you did it.

I’m going to threaten you with a possible visit. I’m seriously considering working only M-Thu this summer and getting out with the camper more. Your neck of the woods is well within range!

That would be cool.

I am NOT familiar with the campgrounds, but Burke Lake is VERY close; no idea if it’s any good or what it might cost.

And one switching job in Occaquan and he’ll never come back…

#73

Bruce D. Chandler said:

Ken Brunt said:

Okay, so when do we get to use it?..

I suspect it will be sometime after Kops! Plus it needs to not rain for at least 5 days - which doesn’t seem very likely…

What does rain have to do with it?

#74

David Maynard said:

Bruce D. Chandler said:

Ken Brunt said:

Okay, so when do we get to use it?..

I suspect it will be sometime after Kops! Plus it needs to not rain for at least 5 days - which doesn’t seem very likely…

What does rain have to do with it?

Some of us old farts™ prefer to stay dry while working outside…

#75

Yea, I resemble that. But why does it need to not rain for 5 days before the turntable can be used?

#76

David Maynard said:

Yea, I resemble that. But why does it need to not rain for 5 days before the turntable can be used?

Ah…I see. I guess I was suspecting that Ken was wanting to come down for an ops session and I just figured with all the rain we’ve been having that I just wouldn’t be able to work on my track until after KOPS. I hope I am wrong about the rain…but I do know I need to do a lot of work on the track, although the turntable seems ready to go.