Superior & Seattle Railroad Build (Volume 2) Started 2/25/17

[jimmillho]

Beautiful John, just beautiful.

Jim

[S&S RR]

Wow- that scene has some great depth

John


Thank you - When the structures start getting placed down in the valley I think it will create even more depth.  The background of the scene is close to being done - now it's time to complete the foreground.

[S&S RR]

You always do excellent rock and tree work.

Curt


Thank you,

[S&S RR]

Beautiful John, just beautiful.

Jim

Jim


Thank you for following along.

[S&S RR]

The benchwork for the expansion has begun - starting with the helix that will take the trains from the 42 inch yard level up to the 53 1/2 inch level where they will pass through my workshop.  The second level of this area (long term addition) will be at he 53 1/2 inch level. A turntable and Roundhouse facility will go at the upper level of the helix. The grade on the helix will be 1.6 percent and there will be 3 turns to raise the trains the 11.5 inches.

[Dennis Bourey]

Looking Good John, I'm watching this build closely.

[S&S RR]

Looking Good John, I'm watching this build closely.

Dennis


Thank you for following along. The progress is slow but we keep building.

[S&S RR]

I spent the morning working on the layout and the afternoon working in the yard.  The outside work included taking the snow plow off my tractor and reinstalling the mower deck. This process usually results in a snow storm but I'm committed to working on the layout until any snow that we get melts.


I completed the lowest level of the helix for the new Superior Yard Section of the layout. I thought I would post a few pictures that describe my technique for putting the track down. I don't think it's unique but it is the method that I have evolved to over the years.


My first step is to get the benchwork in place and the base plywood at the right angle.  For this helix I'm maintaining a 1.7% grade - I try to keep it as constant as possible but with a digital level I keep it between 1.5 % and 2%.

[S&S RR]

[S&S RR]

I use a belt sander to get each section of plywood into spec. - then I add the cork which I smooth and shape with both handsanding and the belt sander.  On the helix I'm adding 1.5 - 2 degrees of taper to help keep the rolling stock on the track as it makes it way around the curves.


I glue the cork down with carpenters glue and nail it in place with brad nails from an air nailer. The nails hold it in place until the glue dries.

[S&S RR]

[S&S RR]

The final step before ballasting is to glue the track down.  I used to use track nails to hold the track in place until I ballasted it, but my process has evolved to using carpenter's glue and weighting the track in place until the glue dries.  Once the glue dries the track is not going to move and is ready for the weathering and ballast. This is the process that will be used for this entire expansion.

[S&S RR]

I will follow-up with a picture of the first section of track after the glue dries, tomorrow.

[PRR Modeler]

Looks great John.

[S&S RR]

Looks great John.

Thank you Curt.