The Atlantic and Southern Build, Part 1

[ACL1504]

Here is where we are for now. The track comes off the lift out and enters a 38" radius curve approaching the bascule bridge. It crosses the bridge on the Suwannee River and enters the area that runs behind the diorama. It will be close to the wall but the diorama structures will be in front of the track. Once the track passes the diorama it will curve back towards the center of the layout.







The Suwannee River is a major river of southern Georgia and northern Florida. It is a wild black water river and it's mouth is the Gulf of Mexico. However, the river has many crystal clear springs feeding it. The river length is about 240 miles.

Tom

[GPdemayo]

Looking good Tom.....y'all are making progress. 

[coors2u]

I love the layout updates, but Im ready to read a Delwin's build thread.

[Zephyrus52246]

I hope Tom got the lighting package for the Delwin's kit as well.  I'll be watching that build thread for sure. 

Jeff

[ACL1504]

Looking good Tom.....y'all are making progress. 

Thanks Butty, much appreciated. Thanks for checking in on the build.

Tom

[ACL1504]

I love the layout updates, but Im ready to read a Delwin's build thread.

Dustin,

Very much appreciate you stopping by and checking in. I also like the layout updates as this means I'm getting something done and progress is being made.

Delwin's Boat and Net Storage build will start with the next month or two.

Tom

[ACL1504]

I hope Tom got the lighting package for the Delwin's kit as well.  I'll be watching that build thread for sure. 

Jeff

Dr. Jeff,

Thanks for stopping by. Yes, the lighting kit  is on the way. I asked Slim at the Expo about it and he said he would get me one for less than I could get it. Delwin's is one of those structures that shouldn't be built with the LED lighting kit.

Tom

[ACL1504]

Here is just a quickie update on the layout build. For the past few days I've been finishing up the benchwork on the East second level.
The Judge was over this morning and was standing next to the layout so he got "shot"!



The next photo is looking North.



In the next photo you can see where I'll add the small diesel repair shop.

[gnatshop]

Yes, the lighting kit  is on the way. I asked Slim at the Expo about it and he said he would get me one for less than I could get it. Delwin's is one of those structures that shouldn't be built with the LED lighting kit.  Tom

That Slim boy's quite a wheeler-dealer, ain't he!!  Just the kind of nice friend we all need!!!

[ACL1504]

Yes, the lighting kit  is on the way. I asked Slim at the Expo about it and he said he would get me one for less than I could get it. Delwin's is one of those structures that shouldn't be built with the LED lighting kit.  Tom

That Slim boy's quite a wheeler-dealer, ain't he!!  Just the kind of nice friend we all need!!!

Slim is the best!

Tom

[ACL1504]

I've had several conversations with Howard Zane and Frank Baker, Erieman, concerning straight track. They both say to avoid it if at all possible. On my old layout I had much more room for gentle curves than I do with this layout. This new three level layout is more like a three level shelf layout.

There are some areas where I can have gentle curves or curved sections to avoid the monotony of all straight track. I would define my current layout as a linear one in that the benchwork is along the walls and 24" deep. So, trying to avoid any straight track is almost impossible on this layout. Nuff said about that subject, I'm moving on with what I can do.

I was using old track and cork roadbed to lay out some type of track plan and to see how it may look. Some of it I liked and most of it I didn't.

On the second level I'll have a small yard. This yard will give me the opportunity to pick up and drop off cars from different locations on the second and the third levels.

I wanted a small diesel facility and here is where I tried it and didn't like it.

[ACL1504]

Here is the South end and some track laid out. I didn't like this plan either.



I do like this track arrangement.



In the picture below I'm back North looking South - what a dang mess! Is this anyway to run a railroad? H--l no! That's the Judge taking it all in.

[ACL1504]

I located the diesel facility on the other end and rather like this location. I left it here from this past Friday and as of today, Monday, I'm still content with it in this location. Who knows, by Friday it may change.



Continued after dinner. I can hear the bell ringing. No wait, that bell is on ACL Pacific #1516.

[ACL1504]

I did decide the path of the mainline on the west side of the second level.





I glued the cork roadbed in place and let it dry overnight. The next day I made a sanding block and sanded the top of the cork. The sanding block is nothing more than a short piece of 1x4 with the sandpaper wrapped around the wood. I first used a course sandpaper to knock down any high spots.



I used course Aluminum Oxide sandpaper I purchased from Ace Hardware.



Continued in a few.

[ACL1504]

I vacuumed the loose cork and resanded it with a 60 grit Aluminum Oxide sandpaper, again purchased from Ace Hardware. This gives me a very smooth and level cork roadbed for the track. The sanding process is a little time consuming but well worth the effort. The trains run much better on smooth track.