The Atlantic and Southern Build, Part 1

[ACL1504]

Bob,

Thank you Butty and yes, we will be here. We go to SM at 11:15AM. Just so you know.

Tom

[ACL1504]

I've been so busy I forgot to show you how I prepared the track for the short trestle pieces. The trestle is already built so here is a little photo essay on what I did.

I used three sections of Central Valley bridge ties and painted them Floquil Railroad Tie Brown.



I then measured the length of track over the trestle area. I measured it on the track and removed the ties.





I then used the ZAP-A-GAP Medium CA glue to glue the rail to the ties.



Of course this is just a sample of what I did but at least you get the idea of how it was done.

Continued in a few.

[ACL1504]

I remember that I had some trestle pieces some where in the man cave. It took me about an hour to find them. Yes, they were in the next to the last box I looked through. These trestles are from an old layout 5 times ago.





I carefully removed the cross bracing.



I then removed the round pilings from the 12x12 at the top and started work on the small trestle pieces I needed.

Continued in a few.

[ACL1504]

I don't have photos of the  next few steps but I'll pass on the information. The old trestle pieces were stained with Floquil Oak Flo-Stain and the A&I was added.

As you can see from the above photos they are to light brown for creosote treated pieces. I lightly sanded the round pilings and added two more coats of Hunterline Weathering Mix using the creosote black. This still didn't give me the look I wanted so I applied a third coat of Hunterline Weathering mix but this time I used the cordovan brown stain. This turned out to be perfect coloring for the creosote.

The photos below are of the new trestle pieces but the LED's on my work bench make them look lighter than they actually are.





Later in the thread you'll be able to see how dark they are.

Continued in a few.

[ACL1504]

Wow, they even stand without falling over.



On the bottom of the Central Valley bridge ties I glued two pieces of scale 10X12's. The trestle pieces fit under the 10X12's. When I slid them under the ties they didn't fit. I thought I measured correctly but didn't take into consideration the swelling of the scale wood when the stains were applied.

I turned the trestle bents over and lightly sanded the top of the scale 10X10's until they fit snugly.





When they were all in place, I stained them.

Continued in a few.

[ACL1504]

I then truned the whole bascule bridge over and began adding the eight trestle sections to the underside. I used a square to ensure the 90 degree angle.



Fast forward and they are all done.



I then tested the bridge in place and thankfully it all fit and was still level. Being level is a good thing.



Continued in a few.

[ACL1504]

The bridge is in place and looks great! Now you can see how dark the trestle sections are.







Continued in a few.

[ACL1504]

The ACL East Coast Champion made the maiden run on the new bascule bridge over the Suwannee River.



The run was so smooth the travelers didn't even spill the coffee.



Looks like the end to me.

[bparrish]

Great stuff

Thanx
Bob

[ACL1504]

Great stuff

Thanx
Bob

Bob,

Thank you very much, I appreciate you following. Comments or criticisms are always welcome.

Tom

[coors2u]

Tom, I really enjoy watching your layout take shape. There is so much good information to pick up on. I am always glad to see new updates.

[ACL1504]

Tom, I really enjoy watching your layout take shape. There is so much good information to pick up on. I am always glad to see new updates.

Dustin,

Thanks for checking in, much appreciated. I'm happy to see new updates as well, it means I'm getting it done. 

Tom

[Erieman]

Good Evening Tom,

That Bascule bridge looks much better on your layout than it did on mine. Speaking of finding lost things, the other day I was digging around looking for something and I find the other end of the bridge. You solution is much better that what the manufacturer provide, so I didn't want to slow you down.  Progress is really looking great.  I have been spending some time trying to clean out my mothers house. At 99, there is now way she can go back to it. I am also finishing up the details on O.V. Hooker and Tucker & Cook. Next week, I begin the journey on East End Market. Raymo has been doing  a great job ferreting out the details for me.

Keep posting pictures of your wonderful layout. Quick Question. At what level do you go down the center of your room for the passenger depot? I sort of lost the picture.

Frank / Erieman

[cuse]

Looking good and moving fast. Nice work!


John

[UP Fan]

Beautiful work on the bridge.  Nice looking train crossing the bridge also.  Are those F or E units?