Superior & Seattle Railroad Build

[S&S RR]

Today, I worked under the layout building the helixes using my new bump hat and lamp.  It's like working in a mine but it sure helps. No more holding a flashlight with one hand and trying to do something that requires both hands. I will try to remember to post a picture tomorrow.

[ACL1504]

John,

Been there and have the t-shirt to prove it. How's the back after the day under the layout?

Tom

[S&S RR]

John,

Been there and have the t-shirt to prove it. How's the back after the day under the layout?

Tom

Hi Tom


The back is hurting - but I don't know if it was the work under the layout or all the power washing I've been doing the last few days.

[S&S RR]

This week my train time has been devoted to building the bench work inside Mount Aiden that will carry the Narrow gauge railroad (I need to come up with a name for the HOn3 line) on a return loop.
This series of helixes is going to be a lot of work but I think I will be glad I did it.


I haven't found a way to take a picture of what I'm doing so the activity on this build thread has been light. I will see what I can do about that next week.

[S&S RR]

My plan for the helixes is to build all the support structure ( I'm working on that now) and then actually build the helix on my work bench in sections including track and feeder wiring. I should get the first few sections installed this week. I will know then how well this process will work. There will be four helix builds before this project is complete.

[ACL1504]

My plan for the helixes is to build all the support structure ( I'm working on that now) and then actually build the helix on my work bench in sections including track and feeder wiring. I should get the first few sections installed this week. I will know then how well this process will work. There will be four helix builds before this project is complete.

John,

That will certainly be interesting. Building the helix in sections will definitely be worth seeing.

Tom

[S&S RR]

My plan for the helixes is to build all the support structure ( I'm working on that now) and then actually build the helix on my work bench in sections including track and feeder wiring. I should get the first few sections installed this week. I will know then how well this process will work. There will be four helix builds before this project is complete.

John,

That will certainly be interesting. Building the helix in sections will definitely be worth seeing.

Tom

Tom


Thanks for stopping by the thread - I will start taking some pictures - I hope this works - it will sure help my back!

[S&S RR]

Here is a picture of the bump hat and headlamp that I talked about in a previous post. The best $20 I've spent in a long time. It is basically a baseball hat with a plastic liner that keeps me from taking the skin off my head while I'm under the layout.  The light is always shining where I want it.  I have had to cut out a lot of old bench work from my previous layout to make room for the new helixes.

[S&S RR]

Ops!  The picture is a little big - I forgot to cut down the resolution when I posted it to the gallery.

[S&S RR]

Here is a picture of the area I'm currently working on. The plywood template is just laying on top of the benchwork so I can draw lines to locate the cork roadbed for the Narrow Gauge Line.  The Narrow Gauge RR will take on loop through this area and then disappear into the portal and into a helix which will take it down to a level where it can travel underneath the layout and then back up a helix on the opposite side of the layout.  This will allow for continuous running during open houses etc.  The standard gauge mainline will run next to the Narrow Gauge for a short distance.  The area in front of the track work will have a number of structures.  I have two wooden portals to build and then this area behind the track will be filled in with plaster and covered with Aspen trees and scenery.  It will make a nice backdrop for the small town in the foreground.

[S&S RR]

These next two pictures are the area underneath the benchwork in this area. I have removed two large garbage cans full of wood that was the remaining benchwork from my previous layout.  The 2x4 risers hold the mountain up and the helix will run 7 complete loops in this area to get down to the level I need to clear all the benchwork and make my way to the other side of the layout. The plastic pipe you see running through the center of the mountain is from the floor drain under the dishwasher upstairs.  You need to think about these things when you have all basement layout. I also have a floor drain in the laundry room under the washing machine - just in case.

[S&S RR]

I think I have every tool I own laying somewhere under the layout after this tear out project. Today, the new construction began. I have cut the first few sections of the new helix and will test fit them before taking them back to the workbench for roadbed, track, wiring, and guard rail installation.  I plan on adding foam board guard rails to all of the track work that will be out of site on the layout. After the assembly work is complete I will then install them back into the mountain in sections. At least that is the plan - we will see how it goes.

[S&S RR]

Today, I got the first loop of the helix laid out cut and moved to the work bench. Now for the real test - assembly on the workbench and then installation into the layout. I should know by the end of the week if this is going to work.

[jbvb]

Hail the progressing model railroad builder!  I haven't looked at this forum since I started packing for St. John, NB in May, what with an AP demo in June and driving to Indy over the 4th.  But I wore the forum shirt at the NTS and your work is inspiring.

[S&S RR]

Hail the progressing model railroad builder!  I haven't looked at this forum since I started packing for St. John, NB in May, what with an AP demo in June and driving to Indy over the 4th.  But I wore the forum shirt at the NTS and your work is inspiring.

James


Thanks for stopping by the thread and seeing what I'm up too.