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Post by raymbo on Mar 25, 2015 17:39:34 GMT -5
There we were, minding our own business, when Jordan says "You know if you were to put a bridge here and another track next to the fence line, you would have yet another route to run!
So we went to Lowe's this morning and picked up some ground contact 4X6s, some 4X4s and some standard treated 2X6s, a couple of boxes of fasteners, and came home and built the first two bents for the bridge. We ordered a bunk of 2X6s to make ties out of and we may end up having to get some more rail, but Muddy Jordan is coming along.
Approach from the hill side of the cut
Work train with the B&B gang erecting the center bents
View from the lower end.
We are making a video of this new adventure so stay tuned. 
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Post by silversanjuan on Mar 26, 2015 15:56:59 GMT -5
That's going to look really nice, Ray. Look forward to your progress reports.
Todd
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Post by raymbo on Mar 27, 2015 21:20:43 GMT -5
Todd, I discovered today that I have to take two of the center bents down because I need to put fall in the grade on the other side of the cut. Very frustrating.
I don't think it is going to be difficult to do, I just hate to have to do it.
RG
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Post by silversanjuan on Mar 28, 2015 12:44:23 GMT -5
Yes, that's frustrating. Looks like you had made a lot of progress too.
Todd
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Post by raymbo on Mar 28, 2015 17:30:28 GMT -5
A little progress later today. We had to dismantle everything except for the far right end and lower the left end 4". If we owned a surveyor's level I think it may easier but the 4' level is all we had. Things are much better this evening.
View of the work in place as of this evening.
Two more bents and we can start putting ties on.
This will be a great addition to the layout and an added section to enjoy going over and under.
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Post by silversanjuan on Mar 28, 2015 20:33:18 GMT -5
Nice recovery. I just love wooden trestles. How much track is being added with this addition?
Todd
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Post by raymbo on Mar 29, 2015 17:09:19 GMT -5
More progress today now that the cold weather is on the run. We started installing ties on the stringers today, it is coming together.
First ties being installed, we have to go back for more lumber in the morning
The curve of the trestle is really starting to show up now.
Todd, we think about 300' will be added to the layout. I have to build two more switches but we are considering removing a track up near the woodshed and that will give us the two switches.
This is the layout as it is right now showing the wireless signals locations. The trestle is going in between the Lewandowski car barn and the word along the track "Down", it is curved to meet up with the fence line along the property line and join the main line at Mannyapples Manysnowda near the apple tree on the north end.
We will probably have to add another block of signals for this new line but that will have to wait until the "Walkin Around Money" is replenished.
RG
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Post by silversanjuan on Mar 30, 2015 12:29:07 GMT -5
Looks great! How many folks do you have working on this with you?
Todd
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Post by raymbo on Mar 30, 2015 14:35:09 GMT -5
Todd, Just my wife Renee and me.
We did get some more done today with ties installation. I need to go back to Lowe's for 10 more 2X8s to make the rest of the ties needed, but that is for tomorrow. I am taking the rest of the day off.
Ties almost finished. I still haven't figured out how to make a railing but that will come in time. We are going to stain the wood as soon as it cures out some, that too is for another day.
RG
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Post by silversanjuan on Mar 31, 2015 8:52:38 GMT -5
Well, my hat's off to the both of you. Really some nice work you are both doing.
Todd
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Post by raymbo on Mar 31, 2015 18:21:58 GMT -5
Thanks Todd, we appreciate you writing.
We got the ties on today and Renee started staining them. We are going to hook up a weed sprayer as suggested by Kevin Sprayberry in Georgia to get the stringers and bents.
All the ties are now in place and staining is started.
Won't be long and we can start laying rail.
RG
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Post by silversanjuan on Apr 1, 2015 8:05:55 GMT -5
Outstanding! Looks nice and level too. What type of rail do you use, and how do you secure it to the ties?
Todd
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Post by raymbo on Apr 3, 2015 9:15:25 GMT -5
Todd, we use aluminum rail that is secured to the ties with plated 1" X #9 sheet metal screws. Four screws per tie. Most large scale layouts are built this way with a few minor differences.
Track details at a switch.
Fastening rail to the ties
Fasteners holding rail to the ties.
The heads of the fasteners will rust over a period of years, but it is not difficult to replace them if needed. So far we have not had to do anything except track maintenance due to weathering. I have been to other tracks much older than ours and theirs are holding up well, the rail may wear out on the curves before the fasteners pack it in.
Ray
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Post by silversanjuan on Apr 3, 2015 10:18:22 GMT -5
Thanks for the details. Are your ties treated lumber?
Todd
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Post by raymbo on Apr 3, 2015 15:46:10 GMT -5
Absolutely, ground contact treated at .06 from Langdale Forest Products. I normally buy 2X6X8 but I have discovered that 2X8X8 will give me more ties per board but they are harder to handle.
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