The Atlantic and Southern Build Thread Continued, Part 3

[jimmillho]

I didn't see no stinking Gap.

Jim

[ACL1504]

I agree it's under construction. 

Dennis,

It's amazing how many different tools can end up on the work area. Thanks for stopping by and posting a comment.

Tom

[ACL1504]

I anticipate there may be some disagreement about using the long shank couplers on the 85' passenger cars.  The gap between cars is more noticeable than before.  However, these cars are models and compromise is inevitable in many phases of the hobby.  The distance between the cars is something Tom and I can live with considering the A&S has plans to back passenger trains into the Union Station to be located at Summit and derailment will be avoided, at least in most cases.  BTW derailments of passenger cars did not only occur when backing up.  It happened fairly regularly on the ovalix going forward.  Every time a derailment occurs on the ovalix, somebody (Tom) has to crawl under the layout to get inside that structural miracle.  It is extremely difficult for me to get inside the ovalix due to both knees being replaced and Tom is catching up to me on age.  So I give a loud cheer to replacing the couplers with long shanks.  Those cars just wouldn't back up without derailing, even on our broad curves.

Bill,

Remember Rule 1? This is our railroad so no other opinions are necessary. Long couplers? After all those long years of inadequate backing , I'd gladly use double long coupler bars.

Tom

[ACL1504]

  As compromises go in our hobby this one is very minor as far as I'm concerned.   

Bob,

Exactly right.

Tom 

[ACL1504]

I didn't see no stinking Gap.

Jim

Jim,

Gap, what gap? I don't see no gap either.

Tom

[ACL1504]

I started work on the East Summit Yard as I mentioned yesterday. This yard is just over 16 feet in length.

When I installed the mainline in East Summit, I measured the center line for both the north and south ends of the yard. Both ends of the yard throat come off the mainline. The yard throat is 14.5 inches from the wall to the centerline.

Here is a photo of the south end throat area.



I obviously made a mistake on the north end. Refer to the photo below. The old centerline is shown at 13.25 inches from the wall. A new line is  marked under the 14.5 inch mark.



More in a few.

[ACL1504]

Here is what I did to fix the difference in the 1.25 inch offset.

I marked a point in the centerline on the north end. I used a long 1X3 and drew a line from the north end to the south end centerline.



I then glued the cork in place on the new line. In the next photo you can see the track in place with only a very slight 40" radius curve at the turnout to bring the track back in line.



More in a few.

[ACL1504]

On each end of the yard is a short yard throat. The north end will hold a small loco and 6 cars. The south end will hold four cars and the south end mainline will be used in addition for switching in the south yard. More on this short yard throat later in the build thread.

This photo was taken prior to the cork and track being installed on the centerline.

[postalkarl]

Hey Tom:

she's coming along quite nicely. I'll be following along.

Karl

[jrmueller]

Always enjoy following along. Jim

[ACL1504]

Hey Tom:

she's coming along quite nicely. I'll be following along.

Karl

Karl,

Thank you, happy to have you following along.

Tom

[ACL1504]

Always enjoy following along. Jim

Jim,

Thank you, very much appreciate you checking in and following the build thread.

Tom 

[ACL1504]

Didn't get much done this afternoon. Cutting the grass took some wind out of my sails.

I did get a few #6 turnouts installed in the north end of Summit Yard. These are all PECO turnouts.

Looking South -



Looking North-



Tomorrow I'll work on the south end of Summit Yard.

[jimmillho]

I am confused.......North is South and South is North.  I think you better get a new Compass or I need to recalibrate my eyes.

Jim

[ACL1504]

I am confused.......North is South and South is North.  I think you better get a new Compass or I need to recalibrate my eyes.

Jim

Jim,

Problem fixed, my eyes had dyslexia with letters. I did say cutting the grass took the wind and letters out of my sails.

Tom