Track Expansion Project of 2006:
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For more information on the roadbed and construction see
this link: Roadbed
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03/25/2006
Here is a CAD drawing of the planned expansion. Since
this drawing was made, I've changed the plan to expand the existing basement
ramp line out to be around 140ft and have the basement to main line switch
interchange to be right at the back of the house.
03/25/2006
The first 50ft are down of the total 1000ft.
03/25/2006
Building in the switches and cross-over for the bypass lines.
03/28/2006
Work ground to an immediate halt this evening when I cut my hand on a newly cut
section of SS track. Six stitches and out of commission for awhile.
The curved track missing
ties is the end I was working on.
04/01/2006
Well ok, not out of commission that long.
The entire length
has been leveled, smoothed and properly spaced... all ready for the roofing
layer.
04/02/2006
The switch interchange has been complete, just a few final
touches are needed now.
04/03/2006
I wasn't quite crazy about the overall look of the feeder to
mains switch arrangement so I changed the configuration a bit.
04/08/2006
This corner is ready to go with 12 - 10ft Hardi-planks cut in
sections for the other corners. Each section is cut with a three degree
angle and the outside/longest section is 1' 3/4" long. Also, each cut is
done at 45 degrees (instead of the normal 90 degrees) to provide additional end
to end strength.
Additional change was made to the first bypass, a 20ft
diameter curve section was used from the outside switch to the cross-over.
This gives a better look and should be more gentle of a curve than the 10ft
diameter one I used before. This change required the switch be moved back
a few inches and new intermediate straight cut on the other side.
Progress is still slow because of the stitches as I'm having
to do everything with only one hand. However, I'm
pulling them out Monday.
Also picked up an inexpensive 4" angle grinder and thin blade for
cutting the track. Best $30 I've spent yet. Makes quick, clean cuts.
04/09/2006
All the wiring is laid and is ready to
go.
04/10/2006
Marty Cozad posted this picture of his custom made expansion
joint and have posted/saved it here for future reference. Excellent idea,
but I found that even on my layout these weren't needed.
The expansion of Stainless Steel has proven to be not too bad
and leaving the corners of the ovals free-floating allows for any expansion and
contraction.
04/10/2006
The ring terminals are
all soldered and connected to the track. Some progress was made in spacing
the other switch interchange/bypass on the other side of the yard, but no
pictures of that.
04/11/2006
Good progress was made today. The straights and curves
are screwed in place and are all ready for leveling. After that, the
feeder wires will be put in place and will then be ready for the rolled roofing.
These pictures reveal the steps I use. First the
property (mow line) was determined, then the outside line boards were placed 29
inches from the line. (This will allow 1 push mower wide path down the
side.) The inside path was then laid 12 inches (outside edge to outside
edge) from the outer. Then starting from one end, the plastic was rolled
on top (one ten foot pair at a time) and once covered, the now covered boards
were slid out from under and placed back on top. Once laid, a board was
placed on the plastic sides to keep them from blowing around.
After that was done, the removed track was put back in place
and the rest of the needed track lengths were installed. Next, the whole
line will be leveled and evened up.
Part 1:
What isn't pictured is the corner Hardi-planks are in place and
screwed down.
Part 2:
04/12/2006
Loops are almost connected.
04/13/2006
Hardi-plank is now under the entire length of both ovals.
Only one cut left on the inside track in one corner. All that is left is
to level and smooth out the grade on the straights and lay the feeder lines and
they will be ready to run. The rolled roofing will be final step.
This part of the layout is really starting to come together.
04/15/2006
The first test run. MTH DCS signal has some issues, but
overall runs great and no derailments. The leveling and
smoothing of the grades is complete (for now), feeder wires in place and ring terminals
soldered.
04/21/2006
The first multi-train test. Freedom and Challenger on
the outer loop with the Hudson on the inner. Ran for a few hours with no
issues.
04/30/2006
Three corners done with some additional wiring done to improve
the DCS signal.
06/19/2006
Completed the final rolled roofing sections a week or two ago.
With the rolled roofing in place there is no weed whacking required, just push
mow down the sides and use the rider on the rest. The layout is basically
maintenance free. (The right side is having some heat expansion
issues on the right side I need to address.)
Here it is.
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2006 -
Basement Ramp Rebuild page
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2006 page.
