The Atlantic and Southern Build, Part 1

[ACL1504]

I will have an update tomorrow evening.

Tom

[ACL1504]

Okay, all is good and the cowboy is inching his way back into the saddle. I've been sidelined for the past three months and now I can get back to the real work. At least I wasn't put in the scrap line. And, as promised, here is an update on the layout.

I've had an area on the layout that has been a real pain in the backside for several months. I was going to fix it prior to the hand surgery.

The problem is when I want to reverse a train on the second level, there is an area on the north side of the ovalix where the train constantly derails. I guess this area track was laid with very little or poor planning on my part. Below is a photo of the area, its the top part of the reverse loop at the turnout.

Looking west-


Looking east-


The problem area #6 turnout and the not so gentle "S" curve.


Continued in a few.

[ACL1504]

When any length of freight train passing through the turnout there is no problem. However, a passenger train of a few cars or more is a problem. I'll show a few photos below to explain the issue. After all, we all love photos don't we?

Here the Orange Blossom Special enters the turnout after coming off the 36" radius.



It continues through the turnout and so far no problem.



Now you can see the beginning of the snake curve.



Continued in a few.

[ACL1504]

Now, referring back to the photo below you can see the track comes off the back curve into a 9" straight back into a 36" curve and then into an opposite 36" curve.



Scale 86' heavyweight and Budd cars don't like this kind of snake curve. In the photo below you can see the five passenger cars are all in different directions within a span of a few feet.



Continued in a few.

[ACL1504]

The end result of all the curves is an obvious derail 10 out of  9 times. Yes, you read that correctly, meaning it will derail every time and more.



The solution is a more realistic curve and one that the passengers and passenger cars will appreciate. The derail location is on the second level and out of reach from the isle for the five finger crane to rerail. I have to get under the ovalix, get on a stool and reach over the ovalix to rerail the cars.

When the third level of the ovalix is installed, I won't have the luxury of reaching over and rerailing by hand. This area needs a permanent solution.

My solution and results will be posted Sunday or Monday afternoon.

[Janbouli]

Tom , I would think using a curved turnout in the place of the last curved rail would solve your problem.

[bparrish]

Tom...

I've had my share of curved turn out problems and shy away from them.  Besides a curved turnout does not aim the tangent to the corner.

It appears that you are using a left hand turn out with the straight being fitted into a curve.  Change to a right hand and locate the turn out in the curve where the tangent to the corner works without kinking the flow of either line.

Depending on the radius........ consider a #8 turnout as they have a long throat for passenger traffic.

Otta fix it.

see ya
Bob

[ACL1504]

Tom , I would think using a curved turnout in the place of the last curved rail would solve your problem.

Jan,

The curved turnout is how I fixed the problem. More on this in the next two days.

Tom

[ACL1504]

Tom...

I've had my share of curved turn out problems and shy away from them.  Besides a curved turnout does not aim the tangent to the corner.

It appears that you are using a left hand turn out with the straight being fitted into a curve.  Change to a right hand and locate the turn out in the curve where the tangent to the corner works without kinking the flow of either line.

Depending on the radius........ consider a #8 turnout as they have a long throat for passenger traffic.

Otta fix it.

see ya
Bob

Bob,

I fixed the issue with a curved turnout, sorry!    I'll address the other points you mentioned when I continue the thread. Thanks for the suggestions, they were all plausible but not practical for this situation.

Tom

[GPdemayo]

It's about time you got back to it.....you've been resting on your laurels far too long. 

[S&S RR]

It's about time you got back to it.....you've been resting on your laurels far too long. 

Tom


What would you do without all your friends?

[Erieman]

Tom,

Good to see you back working on your layout. Looks like you had a problem, and know you, have solved it with dispatch. Looking forward to seeing your progress now that you are now approved to get back to work.

Frank / Erieman

[donatode]

It's about time you got back to it.....you've been resting on your laurels far too long. 

Tom


What would you do without all your friends?

.... and what would you do without your laurels.....(you wouldn't have anyplace to rest your **s ....!!)

[bparrish]

Tom...

I didn't know you were gone but...........

A laurel and hardy welcome back...

see ya
Bob

[jbvb]

The Scotsman in me would have done that with a RH #6 or #8 as Bob suggested, but the curved turnout will do the job just as well.  And it's always nice to get rid of something that bothers your favorite trains, so congratulations on a good start.