The Atlantic and Southern Build Thread Continued, Part 2

[ACL1504]

WOW Tom. You just keep adding creative details. Jim

Jim,

Thank you very much. I have more in store for later. Appreciate you stopping by.

Tom

[ACL1504]

Tom,

As usual you have brought interest to a feature that is normally passed over in a engine facility, nicely done. Is the pit area finished, is there more to the scene?

Bob

Bob,

Thank you my friend. The pit isn't finished as I have more detail to add in and around the pit area. I wanted to move to the track and come back to it later. There will be much more to the scene.

Tom

[ACL1504]

Hi Tom,


You are really making great progress on your layout and it is looking very good as always.  I really enjoy watching your work.

Steve,

Thank you, I've been very motivated of late. I'll hit a wall sooner or later but until then I'm on it.

Tom

[ACL1504]

I like the "Fire in the Hole" effect.  Just hope it doesn't start a fire in the Tender.

Jim

Jim,

Thank you, much appreciate you following along. The engineer has been replaced and the loco moved off the hot spot.


Tom

[ACL1504]

I like the "Fire in the Hole" effect.  Just hope it doesn't start a fire in the Tender.

Jim

And for those of you old enough to remember, we hope there are no stations nearby. 

Chip,

Again, exactly correct. Well, not yet anyway.

Tom

[ACL1504]

6+hours daily!!! No wonder you make so much progress. Wish I could discipline myself to do that. Perhaps your rate of progress allows you to feed your drive to keep working.

With the lighting now in place, will you consider perhaps attempting to spray a "skin" layer of glue on the ashes to hold them down?  Can you imagine if an operator reaching in to uncouple would suddenly sneeze?

Larry,

When I'm motivated, I need to stay focused. I'll hit the wall eventually but until then, things are getting done. You are correct in that when I see how it is turning out I want to keep going.

I've been experimenting with some ash. When wet it all vanishes. A light spray spreads them. I think I'll end up with an ash concoction and paint them on.  I'll keep everyone posted on the outcome.

Tom

[ACL1504]

Peco US Code 83?  I had a tough decision between ME Code 70 and Peco Code 83.  I bought a couple pieces of each and compared how they looked after they were painted, etc.  For my 1890s era, the Code 70 was a better choice for me (even though it's a bit fussy to lay because it's kinda fragile.)


dave

Dave,

I wanted to answer your post last. Yes, I'm using code 83  ME flexible track. I even stay with the code 83 on siding and spurs. Just easier to manage.

I may have covered this on the first section the thread but will add it here as well.

For securing the track I prefer to use PECO track nails. PECO calls the track fixing pins. They are in fact more of a pin than nail.



More in a few.

[ACL1504]

I dump the package on a Kadee Under Track Magnet.

I do this for two reasons -

1. It magnetizes the pins, usually takes 2-3 days.

2. It keeps them in one place.




When I use them, I remove a few and lay them on the layout. When finished, I move the magnet over the left overs and they are all back on the magnet.



More in a few.

[ACL1504]

I drill a hole, somewhere between a #76 to #80 drill bit. The pin is picked up and tapped into the track and sub roadbed. When I used 1/2" Homosote the pins held the track in place until ballasted.

However, I'm now just using 3/8" plywood. I drill through the track tie and into a little bit of the plywood.

I mentioned the pins getting magnetized. Here again, is what I do. I use a nail punch and pick up a pin as shown below.

The pin is magnetized and jumps on the end of the nail punch.



As you can see, it fits nicely on the end.





More in a few.

[ACL1504]

PECO track pins have a very low profile. In the next photo I have 18 track pins through the ties and into the plywood. They are hard to spot but they are there.



Here is a close up of the PECO track pin - center of track and photo.



Diet Pepsi time and then I'll give a new update on today's progress.

[postalkarl]

Hey Tom:

Keep on truckin.

Karl

[deemery]

Nice!  Glad the Peco works for you, and using the Kadee magnet to keep the Peco nails is a great idea..  My plan is to lay a bed of caulk to hold my track in place.  But if that doesn't work, I may give the Peco track nails a try. 

I also had a good day tracklaying today, will post some photos on the daily chat later. 

dave

[ACL1504]

Hey Tom:

Keep on truckin.

Karl

Karl,

Thanks for checking in and I will. Lots more to post over the next few days.

Tom

[ACL1504]

Nice!  Glad the Peco works for you, and using the Kadee magnet to keep the Peco nails is a great idea..  My plan is to lay a bed of caulk to hold my track in place.  But if that doesn't work, I may give the Peco track nails a try. 

I also had a good day tracklaying today, will post some photos on the daily chat later. 

dave

Dave,

Thanks, appreciate it.

The reason I like the pins is that the track will lay there until I ballast it. This way I can see it and run trains for a few months. I I need to change something I can. With caulk, you better be sure you want the track to be where you have if for good.

I have moved track in the past prior to ballast when the need to add or change the track plan.

Looking forward to the photos.

Tom

[ACL1504]

I spent most of the day laying the loco lead tracks for the steam servicing area.



Here the three tracks over the ash pit are now joined with the approach tracks.



More in a few.