So I finally bit the bullet and decided to build an engine terminal this year. I repurposed a previously constructed two track stub ended yard to act as the TT lead and service track, and drug out a TT module that I began construction on years ago…This is what I started with…
Now granted that it was not maintained, and spent the majority of its life propped up against an outbuilding, the structure that was framed with 2x4 with notched 2x6 (pressure treated) finally failed…so I rebuiilt with 2x8 this time, with no notched lumber to fail…
I had struggled for years with some way to fabricate pit walls and this had stalled the project for me for a long time. Then it occurred to me; the pit walls really can’t be seen if there is a locomotive on the bridge, and the bridge hides the walls in most viewing angles, so I elected not to have pitwalls at all. This will also help me avoid having to clean holly leaves out of a TT pit everytime the wind blows…
The bridge is some square PVC downspout matieral I picked up at the local hardware store, the bearing I think will be made from basic plumbing fittings and once those are installed the bridge detailed, and ties and rail added, the height should be just right…
The bridge is 41 inches long, long enough to accomodate a Bachmann K and my 4 truck Shay. I painted the module and sides to protect the plywood top, there will be a roundhouse/shop complex added later, as well as locomotive storage /display tracks, as well as one tangent dedicated to loading and unloading locomotives from the layout…
