The Atlantic and Southern Build Thread Continued, Part 2

[ACL1504]

I added the rest of the vertical I-beam supports and did a final test fit.





More in a few.

[ACL1504]

The tracks were removed and the blocks were stained with Hunterline Driftwood A&I.






The I-beams were painted with Floquil Weathered Black. I added a brass wire between the rails as a rail stabilizer.



More in a few.

[ACL1504]

Again, the tracks were removed and white glue was painted on the bottom of the ash pit. I then spread my father's ashes in the pit. No, not HIS ashes, but ashes from his fireplace. Mom and Dad had a mountain retreat in the mountains near Maggie Valley, NC. I've had these ashes for at least 20 years.

I figured one day I'd need real ashes.




More in a few.

[ACL1504]

The brass wire and rails were painted with Floquil Rail Brown. Ashes were then dabbed on with a soft bristle brush.



More in a few.

[ACL1504]

[ACL1504]

[ACL1504]

The three ash pit tracks were then spiked in place. These tracks were then aligned with the turntable and spiked in place.

[ReadingBob]

Looks great but I have a question - You said you added brass wire between the rails as a rail stabilizer.  Are these electrically isolated or are the rails not hot?      

[PRR Modeler]

Looks great. The wheels roll over the wires alright?

[jimmillho]

Looks great but I have a question - You said you added brass wire between the rails as a rail stabilizer.  Are these electrically isolated or are the rails not hot?   

My thoughts also.......looks like a short circuit to me

Jim

[Jerry]

Very nice indeed!

Jerry

[Blazeman]

Tom: For all the projects you've done, do you "just know" what and how to do them, is it experiences from previous layouts, or do you research/collaborate with others?

I'm always blown away by how you engineer a project, the relatively rapid time you complete it in, and the fidelity and workmanship displayed. If it's contagious, I need to detour your way my next time down to visit Mom and breathe the air around you.

Larry.

[RWL]

Tom,

As usual in your journey, an impressive feature for the railroad. But, as others have pointed out, styrene rod might have been a better choice to keep the rails in gage.

Bob 

[ACL1504]

Looks great but I have a question - You said you added brass wire between the rails as a rail stabilizer.  Are these electrically isolated or are the rails not hot?   

Bob,

Thank you, please check later for my response to all the concerns about the brass rods.

Tom

[ACL1504]

Looks great. The wheels roll over the wires alright?

Curt,

Thanks, yes, I tested several brass locos and the wheels had no "bump" from the brass wires. Refer to the thread later this morning.

Tom