The Atlantic and Southern Build Thread Continued, Part 3

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Hey Tom.....wasn't Bobs' new loco a hoot.....the diesel made a bunch of fun noise. 

Greg,

Yes, it is, but way to slow for your "throttle up" fingers.


Tom

[ACL1504]

Hey Tom.....wasn't Bobs' new loco a hoot.....the diesel made a bunch of fun noise. 

Yeah, but how FAST was it?

Very slow, just like Alco locos are supposed to be. Runs perfectly though.

Tom

[ACL1504]

After several weeks of switching in and around Tahope, I realized one turnout I installed is in the wrong place. This is the turnout that controls the track to the FSM Dexter's Dead End structures.

As is, I don't have the room for Dexter's unless the turnout is removed and relocated.

Here is how the turnouts fits the area at present.





More in a few.

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The left hand turnout will be removed and a right hand turnout will be installed about 30 inches south of the current one.

Here is where the new turnout will be installed.



I'll need to remove the turnout and track between the two arrows as shown below.



More in a few.

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Prior to removing or attempting to remove the track, I cut the rails between the two turnouts. I cut the rail just left of the end of the turnout rails.



Using a spray bottle, I sprayed warm water on the ballasted area between the two turnouts. I let this set for about 30 minutes.

The warm water softens the glue faster than tap/cold water.



More in a few.

[ACL1504]

After 30 minutes, I used a putty knife and lifted the track section between the turnouts. I came up very easily.



I may have to go as far back as the third arrow to get the new track to align properly.



Back after finding/getting a cold Diet Pepsi.

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The turnout rails are soldered to the track at the point of the pencil as shown. I'll use the soldering gun to unsolder the rails. I do this by applying the solder gun tip to the rail and when the solder softens, I gently move the rail. I'll then move to the other rail and repeat the process.

It only takes two times to get the two rails and rail joiner removed.





More in a few.

[ACL1504]

While the ballast is still damp and loose, I used the putty knife to clean it from the cork.

I then use the slanted edge of a wood chisel to remove the old cork.



Back in a few more.

[ACL1504]

[ACL1504]

After removing the old cork there is still some dried glue on the plywood as well as cork. I sprayed warm water on the plywood and let it soak for about 20 minutes.



While the glue was softening, I cleaned the ballast from the removed turnout. PECO turnouts aren't cheap so I wanted to save it.

I wet the turnout ballast and let this sit for about 20 minutes as well. I then used a soft toothbrush to remove the ballast as I rinsed it in the laundry sink.



More in a few.

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As you can see, the PECO turnout came out nicely as far as the ballast being removed. Now I have a turnout I can reuse and it is already painted and weathered.





I'll finished more of this thread later this afternoon.

[ACL1504]

By now I'm guessing that ya'll think I'm some how preoccupied with levels. Actually, I'm preoccupied with flawless track work. As I've said in the past, it is the principal of the 5 P's.

Anyway, after getting the old track, ballast an cork out, I needed to be sure the existing track was still level. When making a repair such as this, it is very easy to let some wet ballast get under the ties and when it hardens you definitely have a bump in the track. Ask me how I know, no, don't, you've already guessed.

While the original track ballast was still wet, I made sure the existing track was still level.

South end -



North end -



More in a few.

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Making sure the ties are level as well.



Fast forward and the plywood is now dry from being wet. I let this area dry for about 36 hours.

Okay, don't laugh, I wanted to make sure the plywood wasn't warped.



More in a few.

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I still had some dried glue on the plywood although you can't see it, it is there. This dried glue will cause the newly laid cork to have raised portions.



I wrapped some course sandpaper on a piece of 1X4 and used the edge to sand the area where I removed the old cork.



Seeing the Diet Pepsi in the photo reminded me to get one.

Back in a few moments.

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I then marked the center lines for the new turnout. This mark also marks the center edge of the new cork.



I drew in the new mainline center line.



Continued in a few.