The Atlantic and Southern Build Thread Continued, Part 2

[ACL1504]

Tom


Wow - you are moving right along these days.  Great idea painting the underside of the third level while it was still down where it was easier to get at it - and that's going to help with the lighting down below. It sure looks like you have done this before.   Fantastic work my friend.

John,

Thank you, appreciate the compliment. I'm anxious to get going on the third level but want to finish three other projects so my plate is clean when I start.

Tom

[ACL1504]

Between starting a new job two years back and a bunch of health issues I haven't been doing much model railroading.  Just collecting kits it seems.  But things are beginning to happen again as I recently been having lots of inspiration for new RR projects.  Strange how that sort of works. 

Of course I still consume too much Diet Pepsi.  Some things don't change.  Even my sponsor at Diet Pepsi Anonymous didn't know anyone could drink that much of the sauce....

Cousin Brucie,

As DeMayo said below it is great to have you back.

I do understand medical issues interfering with train time. 2017 is a year I'll not likely forget. I had five surgeries, three of which were Prostate Cancer related. I'm fine and no chemo or radiation was required. Out of 12 months I was laid up for four of them.

I'm very happy things are looking up for you as well.

Diet Pepsi keeps me sane. I don't drink any alcohol stuff so I l survive on water and diet pepsi.

Tom

[ACL1504]

Yesterday morning,  the A&S RR Ticket Agent, Bill Eaton, AKA: The Judge, had a serious conversation with the A&S RR Station Master, ACL1504.

He stated simply the A&S RR was not getting any new revenue if the Ovalix bench work wasn't finished in a timely matter. So the Station Master changed clothes and started work finishing the Ovalix bench work.

Actually the work was on the third level bench work that goes around the top level of the Ovalix.

During the work session, PRR - Curt Webb, showed up and was immediately put to work as the man in charge of passing the tools back and forth to the worker, me, inside the Ovalix.

Yes, the Judge also assisted. Thank you Judge and PRR for your assistance.

I started on the north and north west corner of the Ovalix.





At this time we took a break and Greg DeMayo showed up. We all then went to the local BBQ joint to do some serious BSing.

More in a few.

[ACL1504]

This morning I finished the top level bench work around the Ovalix.

This is the West area.





More in a few.

[ACL1504]

South and Southwest area.





More in a few.

[ACL1504]

Southwest and South area.



East and front of the Ovalix.





Time for a cold Diet Pepsi. Be back in a few more.

[ACL1504]

As you can see, I made sure the entire third level around the Ovalix was level. I don't want any surprises later when the trains are pulling in new revenue.


I've mentioned this in the past but I want to give another "shout out" to Greg Demayo, a member in good standing of the SBG (Saturday Butty Group). Greg designed the Ovalix on CAD and printed it for me to follow in constructing the Ovalix.

It truly is an engineering marvel, even in HO scale.

Ten loops with 26 feet of track per loop making the Ovalix track length 260 feet. And, a constant 1 degree incline from bottom to top.





Continued in a few.

[ACL1504]

[postalkarl]

Hi Tom:

Looks just great.

Karl

[ACL1504]

My original plan was to lay the track directly on the third level plywood. I decided to use cork roadbed on the third level. This meant I needed to adjust the last 14 feet of the Ovalix incline.

To do this I unscrewed the Ovalix bench work and slipped a 1/16" piece of cardboard on top of each support column. I added one 1/16" piece for every two columns. I then added two 1/16" pieces for the next two columns. Every two columns I increased the 1/16 cardboard until I had 1/4" at the very top of the Ovalix. This is the thickness of the cork roadbed.

The track now has a smooth transition from the Ovalix to the third level plywood.



In the next photo, do you see the two holes in the 1X4 cross brace? Do you also see the feeder wires running through the holes?

No? Well, that's because yours truly forgot to run the feeder wires through the holes PRIOR to securing the third level plywood.

I'm not about to remove the plywood to run the wire. So, I guess I'll play the Ovalix monkey and hand feed the wire through cross braces a little at a time.

The feeder wires need to be pulled around the outside of the Ovalix.

[ACL1504]

Hi Tom:

Looks just great.

Karl

Karl,

Thanks, much appreciated my friend.

Tom

[PRR Modeler]

Nice job Tom. Forgetting the wiring makes you seem like the rest of us mere MRR modelers.

[ACL1504]

Nice job Tom. Forgetting the wiring makes you seem like the rest of us mere MRR modelers.

Curt,

Again, appreciate your help. I'll just call it a senior moment instead of CRS, Can't Remember Snit. At least I don't MUS, Make Up Snit!

Tom

[GPdemayo]

You are most welcome Tom. I've enjoyed the journey.....more interesting stuff coming for the third level.....

[jerryrbeach]

Tom,

Not that I don't enjoy watching the ovaliz increase in height, but I'm really looking forward to the top shelf of the A&S.