The Atlantic and Southern Build, Part 1

[jrmueller]

WOW!  Hope you didn't block the only exit.  Looks impressive. Do you have an estimate on how long it will take for a consist to traverse the helix?  Jim

[Erieman]

Good Morning Tom,

The ovalix is looking awesome. Great idea. Nice slow grade. Trains are going to love it. Can't wait to it in operation. Keep up the great work. Remember, everyday is Saturday for us retired folks.

Frank / Erieman

[cuse]

Photos don't do that monster justice. It's an engineering marvel. Keep in mind it's the size of many of our small layout rooms by itself. Very interesting to see how Tom's building around it...like constructing an aircraft carrier around a nuclear reactor.    Definitely the nerve center of the layout.


John

[John B]

No wonder I can't find any flex track at the hobby shop

[Erieman]

I love the ovalix but I do have  question now that I see it all together and notice that is only a single track. We may have discussed this before, but isn't this going to inhibit traffic between levels? Did you save room of a second track in the same spiral? Inquiring minds want to know how you intend to space trains going between the levels. Just asking. It looks like timing is going to be key in getting on and off the ovalix, but what do I know. You probably have this all thought out and my imagination is on the wane.

Frank / Erieman

[ACL1504]

WOW!  Hope you didn't block the only exit.  Looks impressive. Do you have an estimate on how long it will take for a consist to traverse the helix?  Jim

Jim,

Thanks for checking in and for the kind words. Not to worry, I only blocked one door. I still have the main entrance on the north side. As far as the time it takes from the staging level right at the start of the 1% incline to the current "end of track" is about 17 minutes. That's at the required 30 MPH and 260 ft' of track. You certainly can go faster but then you won't be invited back!   The trains waiting to go down will just have to wait on the green light.

Tom

[ACL1504]

Good Morning Tom,

The ovalix is looking awesome. Great idea. Nice slow grade. Trains are going to love it. Can't wait to it in operation. Keep up the great work. Remember, everyday is Saturday for us retired folks.

Frank / Erieman

Afternoon Frank,

Thank you for the support and compliment, much appreciated. Yes, everyday is Saturday!

Tom

[ACL1504]

Photos don't do that monster justice. It's an engineering marvel. Keep in mind it's the size of many of our small layout rooms by itself. Very interesting to see how Tom's building around it...like constructing an aircraft carrier around a nuclear reactor.    Definitely the nerve center of the layout.


John

John,

Thanks for checking in and posting a comment, very much appreciated. I'm very fortunate to have the space I have for the layout. The Judge calls it a piece of art.  Not sure about art but it is a piece of conversation for sure.

Tom

[ACL1504]

No wonder I can't find any flex track at the hobby shop

John,

Thanks for the comment but keep checking the hobby shop I'm sure I left some somewhere.




Tom

[ACL1504]

I love the ovalix but I do have  question now that I see it all together and notice that is only a single track. We may have discussed this before, but isn't this going to inhibit traffic between levels? Did you save room of a second track in the same spiral? Inquiring minds want to know how you intend to space trains going between the levels. Just asking. It looks like timing is going to be key in getting on and off the ovalix, but what do I know. You probably have this all thought out and my imagination is on the wane.

Frank / Erieman

Frank,

Nice speaking with you this afternoon, Florida time that is. We did indeed discuss single vs double track on the Ovalix. I decided to go with the one track. The trains will have to wait for the green light to enter the Ovalix to traverse between different levels. My way of slowing down Greg, he loves to highball.

Other than that I just wanted to add a little more operational moves for the railroad. Yes, I have it all figured out.

Tom

[ACL1504]

I haven't forgotten my promise to load more photos of the new area but I got side tracked on doing ballast and we all know how fun and time consuming that task is. Hopefully some tonight for that.

Tom


Here's a hint! Everyone should be able to figure it out.

[BandOGuy]

I haven't forgotten my promise to load more photos of the new area but I got side tracked on doing ballast and we all know how fun and time consuming that task is. Hopefully some tonight for that.
Tom
Here's a hint! Everyone should be able to figure it out.

I FINALLY GOT IT!
You took the afternoon off to play bridge with The Babe and another couple!

[ACL1504]

Chip,

That is a classic one. You have a fantastic sense of humor and you are close. I was thinking a game of bridge with two decks. Or how about two cavities and a bridge. This is endless.

Thanks for checking in.

Tom

[BandOGuy]

Chip,

That is a classic one. You have a fantastic sense of humor and you are close. I was thinking a game of bridge with two decks. Or how about two cavities and a bridge. This is endless.
Thanks for checking in.
Tom

Tom,
Truss me: with a little imagination, we could span most every subject offered here. 

[ACL1504]

Chip,

Yes, you are correct. But hey, just one more. 


Spandecks - railroad bridge span

Spandex - synthetic fiber with great elasticity

Tom