Steve:

First look into this forum and am I impressed. WOW!!! I too am supposed to be doing narrow gauge but because of expense and length of time spent on infrastructure bldgs. etc. I've stayed with HO. If I win the lottery LOL, I'll switch to On30 in a heartbeat. Keep on keepin on. It ALL looks good from here.

JR

Steve,

First, glad to see you back! I must say that I have stayed away from hand-laying track, but you are starting to make me re-think that decision. Your trackwork looks great.

Thanks for the kind compliments!

Mike - When I lay out the rail to be spiked, I leave a few plastic ties still attached. I also stick the rail down by way of a roofing nail stuck upside down into a short tie section. This is then used to hold the rail roughly in place from above. It is simply pulled out when I get to it when spiking.



Here, you can see the ties left on, and the nail spacer, as well as one sitting on the table.

What a great idea, Steve!!! I am going to be handlaying a small section of track on a trestle and your idea of leaving some ties in place is a good one that I will use.

Chuck

This method also makes it easier to centre the rails on the ties. My first try laying one rail at a time was definitely off-kilter.

Steve....I've been really enjoying viewing your new On30 layout! It really does look great and your method for handlaying track and converting the Atlas is really slick!! I will be copying your methods......exactly!!! Now, a question....I noticed your haven't painted/weathered your rails yet....do you intend to? I've learned its way easier to do it before you lay track...(except for soldering feeders)....doing it later can lead to getting paint on the ties and ballast...(ask me how I know this!!!!)......tom

tom sullivan

richmond va

Steve,

Thanks for the tutorial on track and switches. I'll think I'll try the same technique in HOn30 using Atlas code 55 track. Using the Atlas switches is a nice (cheaper) alternative to using switch kits.

Thanks, everyone!

Tom - I have not painted or weathered the rail yet for exactly the reason you've mentioned...I have not as yet soldered the feeders to the rail. Guess what I hate doing? (Only 'cause I'm terrible at soldering.)

I have, at least, installed the frog guardrails. These are from Peco code 75 flex. I'm not sure if it was ever done this way, but my LPPs use slightly lighter rail as guards for turnouts, bridges, etc.

This one is now ready for paint and ballast.

A Possible Inertia Remission?

Up to this point, all the posts have been about one smallish section of the layout, which is the locomotive service area. This section is located on the far end of the line, on a high plateau.

From this end, the line winds through the small burg of Megill River, and through the mountains, down to the port of Wedgietown.

Of course, once I had the track laid on the first section, it was time to start figuring out where to go from there. --->Inertia set in.
So, here's where we are now. I have built a small section along the rear wall, and the penninsula is under construction, creating a walk-in layout. This smallish section is the one I'm doing for the "On30 Diorama" thread...this one will actually be built at the workbench, then installed on the layout as the transition section from the town to the locomotive service area.



Benchwork Started...

The square section of the penninsula has been erected, and I need to figure out the curved end. This will likely result in more standing staring at the as-yet non-existant section that needs to be built...trying to fathom some method of completing this.



Once again, the benchwork is a frame of 1 by 4 pine, with the joists 16 inches apart, allowing access with a power drill. This penninsula is 5 feet across, and will be divided down the middle by a backdrop, allowing the track to run through two sections of 30 inches wide.

This section is lower than the others, as the line climbs for the length of each straight section, for a rise of about 1 inch for each 10 foot straight section, giving an approximate grade of 1 percent or so...for a mountain shortline, not even close to prototypical. (Oh, well. I'm a learning newbie. ) I intend to keep the curve level.

"Dead Man's Curve"...The Beginning

Here's a progress shot of the beginning of what will be called "Dead Man's Curve". There will be a whole story behind this one stretch of track.

Slow But Steady Progress...

I've been mocking up building and road sites in the town of Megill River. I hope to include a stockyard, scrap metal dealer, wooden unloading ramp, and a construction company served by rail. There will also be a few businesses, such as a pub, general store and a bakery.

I've also been working on the lake area, home to an appropriated logger's shack...now used for the railroad employees who enjoy a weekend of fishing. I tried my hand at bottle-brush typa trees, and they're not finished, but even I can do these.

Steve,

Good to see that you are making progress. I will have to try my hand at bottle brush trees at some point also. BTW, has spring arrived in Alberta yet?

I'm really enjoying watching your layout come together, Steve!

Excellent work, my friend! :up: 8D

Steve, it's looking good. I'm glad to see your progress. Looking at your latest photos reminds me that I need to get back to work (someday ) in the basement.