KCHahn
Longmont, Co.
Brakeman
Posts:76
Send Message
 | | 05/26/2008 7:25 PM |
| Good evening all,
I've been trying to decide how to get started on building my outdoor layout.
Roadbed/grade has been my biggest concern right now.
I just took a closer look at the Split Jaw PVC roadbed, after seeing the
article - again - in the Feb '08 Garden Railways magazine.
After checking online, I'm really liking what I've seen so far!!
Now, I'm wondering if any one has used this 'system' for their layout and
what you think of it. The more I think about it, the more I'm likely to go
ahead with this system.
Comments/suggestions much appreciated.
Thanks.
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Keith
Life Member
Colorado Railroad Museum
www.crrm.org
Member
Rio Grande Modeling and Historical Society
www.drgw.org | |
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pimanjc
1st Class Member
Jim Carter - Wichita, KS
Conductor
Posts:512
Send Message
| | 05/26/2008 7:43 PM |
| Kieth,
You might look at this thread from the Archives by Joe Johnson.
http://www.mylargescale.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=38905
Jim C. | |
"Never promise more than you can give. Always give more than you promise." ~JC
"You don't stop laughing because you grow old, You grow old because you stop laughing." ~AU
Charter Member of the Roundhouse Irregulars | |
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Joe Johnson
1st Class Member
Hunt, Texas
Brakeman
Posts:42
Send Message
| | 05/27/2008 6:49 AM |
| Now that was a wierd way to meet the day. I'm on my first cup of coffee and pop up this topic and think "that picture looks familiar".
Just some quick notes as I have a doctor's appointment this morning. The roadbed ain't cheap but when you have an area that is "topographically challenged" it can be a real lifesaver. In my case a little optimization on where the roadbed went could make a big difference on how much dirt I had to move down a steep slope by hand. With the roadbed it made it fairly easy to maintain an exact 2.4% grade over a 100' run along the hill.
There is a trade off between time and money as you could accomplish the same thing using ladder roadbed. There are several topics in the archives on how to make your own. Do a search in the archives for "Ladder Roadbed".
In my case with several hundred feet to put in, I chose the Split Jaw as it was quicker and easier. The roadbed is everything that is advertised. It makes for a great sub roadbed and is VERY stable. The track maintenance is very minimal as there are no problems with settling.
When I have time this afternoon, I'll post some "after" pictures to show what this area looks like now that it is operational. Kieth, if you go this route, send me an e-mail and I'll give you some tricks I've found over the last couple of years that can make life easier. | |
Joe Johnson
Guadalupe Forks RR
Charter member of the Roundhouse Irregulars
SA #478 | |
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KCHahn
Longmont, Co.
Brakeman
Posts:76
Send Message
| | 05/28/2008 7:05 AM |
| Joe,
Like what you've done!
Definitely interested in some 'after' photos!
Separate message sent also.
Since I've got a fairly small layout, laid out on back patio right now, getting started won't break the bank too bad to start!
Also means I won't have to move as many plants, dirt or
rocks in order to get track down.
Granted, a bit pricey, but I can expand a little at a time, as time/money allow.
If I can get my current loop down, I'll be happy!
Again, any information much appreciated!
Thanks.
| |
Keith
Life Member
Colorado Railroad Museum
www.crrm.org
Member
Rio Grande Modeling and Historical Society
www.drgw.org | |
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George Adams
New Jersey
Brakeman
Posts:48
Send Message
| | 05/28/2008 10:39 AM |
| Keith,
I agree with the above, its not cheep, but you do get a quality product. We have that in use here at Aristo on the company layout. Its pretty close to indestructible and about as maintenance free as it can get on an outdoor layout. I believe there are still photos of our layout on the split jaw page.
George | | | |
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KCHahn
Longmont, Co.
Brakeman
Posts:76
Send Message
| | 05/29/2008 6:54 AM |
| I've seen the photos of the Aristo layout.
Looks nice! And it sounds like it went pretty quick, after
the first day. Once they knew what had to be done.
Still seriously thinking of going that route! | |
Keith
Life Member
Colorado Railroad Museum
www.crrm.org
Member
Rio Grande Modeling and Historical Society
www.drgw.org | |
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pete
1st Class Member
canton ohio
Foreman
Posts:197
Send Message
| | 05/29/2008 7:08 AM |
| Keith we have about 60' of split-jaw road bed in our outdoor layout. We used it in conjunction with their tressel bents. Once you get the idea of how the system works it goes in pretty easy just remember to use a level. We highly recommend it. pete and karen digiacomo Good luck | | | |
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NTCGRR
1st Class Member
Nebraska City NE
Engineer
Posts:1082
Send Message
| | 05/29/2008 2:06 PM |
| As George said , Aristo uses it, go see the PCC photos on their hme page and see how much dirt and material has settled below the roadbed.
I think there is more maintance than one thinks unless you don't mind the look of open roadbed. | |
 Marty Cozad
North Table Creek GRR
Nebraska City, NE
Is it "REAL" or just 1:29 th | |
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CCSII
Norman Oklahoma
Foreman
Posts:207
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| | 05/29/2008 4:19 PM |
| Looks like maintanance with a small "m"
Trains should still run fine (unlike Maintanance with a capital "M", dirty track, broken wires etc. Trains won't run.) | | | |
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MarkLewis
1st Class Member
Mustang, OK
Foreman
Posts:198
Send Message
| | 05/29/2008 4:35 PM |
| | I used this roadbed for part of my layout and I am glad to see they now have curves with diameters greater than 8 feet. I expect to add 15-foot diameter curves later.
The part of my layout damaged in the ice storm did not use this PVC roadbed and progress on the layout has been held up by the slowness of repairs to those parts. The parts where I'm using the Split-Joy PVC roadbed are some distane away from where the tree limbs did the damage.
Mark | |
Mark Lewis
Mustang, OK
email: oktrains@oktrains.com
Don't anthropomorphize your trains. They hate that. | |
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George Adams
New Jersey
Brakeman
Posts:48
Send Message
| | 05/29/2008 5:30 PM |
| Marty,
The area where the PCC photos were taken is right off the trestle section, there never was dirt there. Yes the dirt settled in other areas , but the roadbed and supports DID NOT. With over two years of virtually no maintenance we can go out and run trains at a moments notice. Thats what I call a reliable roadbed. It may not be up to your level of detail, but it was never meant to be, It is a test track and a torture track, not a showcase of layout building.
George | | | |
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NTCGRR
1st Class Member
Nebraska City NE
Engineer
Posts:1082
Send Message
| | 05/29/2008 5:51 PM |
| George
great to hear. I know its a great product , I had talked to Rocky couple of times on the phone before he pasted on.
I was going to test some of it out with him.
But George, your THE MAN, your the best of the best. So should your photos be...
I can just see those PCC photos with 10 mins of prep time, little ballast and the Woow factor goes up. | |
Marty Cozad
North Table Creek GRR
Nebraska City, NE
Is it "REAL" or just 1:29 th | |
|
Torby
1st Class Member
North Chicago 'burbs.
Engineer
Posts:1908
Send Message
| | 05/30/2008 7:24 AM |
| | Saw some of that in Woodstock IL. St. Aubin's outdoor loop is built that way. Very nice. Lewis at Aristocraft is very happy with his. | |
 One king held the frankincense,
One king held the myrrh,
One king held the purest gold,
One King held the hope of the world.
-- Point of Grace | |
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jfrank
1st Class Member
Katy, Texas
Foreman
Posts:176
Send Message
| | 05/30/2008 8:30 AM |
| | I have been using this roadbed since before Split Jaw bought out Mainline Enterprises when Rocky died. It is a great product and a great time saver if you can afford it. If money is the problem, look at it like this.....you already spent an arm and a leg on the track so why not put it on a good foundation. Down here in Houston where the soil is black gumbo that shrinks and expands with the weather this system stabilizes your roadbed since it is anchored by the pvc pipe driven into the ground. I highly recommend it. The only modification I use is to reinforce the joints with steel plates on the side and top. You can get these at Home Depot or Lowes as they are common construction items used in housing construction. The roadbed tends to curl up slightly at the joints in our hot weather down here. I also paint mine flat black before installing the track. You can save a little money by using Hardi Plank 1x4's for the yard tracks and some straight sections. They are a good match for the roadbed. Hardi plank is brittle and will crack if put under stess so be careful where you substitute it. Mine has been down for several years now. I even salvaged a bunch of it when I moved in 2002 and reused it. | |
John Frank
Katy, Texas
Home of the Texas Western Narrow Gauge RR | |
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KCHahn
Longmont, Co.
Brakeman
Posts:76
Send Message
| | 06/08/2008 6:58 AM |
| Dad called yesterday, on my behalf, while I was sleeping.
Didn't get through, as they aren't available on weekends.
But, message said I could order online??
Has anyone ordered online, and how??
My folks and I all checked, but found NO way to place an online order for roadbed.
Had I been able to do just that, I'd have ordered what I
need last week!
Gonna try again Monday, to order supplies needed. Hopefully, if all goes well, I'll
have roadbed here and ready to start installing by next weekend. Also guess I'll
have to add photos of construction, one I begin?
| |
Keith
Life Member
Colorado Railroad Museum
www.crrm.org
Member
Rio Grande Modeling and Historical Society
www.drgw.org | |
|
KCHahn
Longmont, Co.
Brakeman
Posts:76
Send Message
| | 06/13/2008 7:27 AM |
| Ordered roadbed to complete a 10x13 foot loop of track!
Should arrive in about 2 weeks, so I've been told.
Now, I gotta get out and start surveying the back yard, for a trackplan!
And with a week off the end of July, I can work on getting roadbed and track in place.
Looking forward to finally getting started! | |
Keith
Life Member
Colorado Railroad Museum
www.crrm.org
Member
Rio Grande Modeling and Historical Society
www.drgw.org | |
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lownote
1st Class Member
Arlington VA
Conductor
Posts:661
Send Message
| | 06/13/2008 8:16 AM |
| | We have a small point to point line in our garden, in addition to the mainline, that runs on some R1 S. curves. I had a very hard time making any ladder track for that and just went and ordered some of the split jaw stuff. it works extremely well and is very easy | |
Evading the Midas touch of expertise
http://chnm.gmu.edu/courses/magic/westover/ | |
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KCHahn
Longmont, Co.
Brakeman
Posts:76
Send Message
| | 06/17/2008 3:22 PM |
| My initial order should be here by the end of this week, I think!
Said 2 weeks, when ordered. So, I'll have something to look forward to
when my vacation time arrives the end of July! Had things running Sunday, while nieces were here.
Still on the patio, but getting closer to hitting the ground!
| |
Keith
Life Member
Colorado Railroad Museum
www.crrm.org
Member
Rio Grande Modeling and Historical Society
www.drgw.org | |
|
KCHahn
Longmont, Co.
Brakeman
Posts:76
Send Message
| | 06/30/2008 6:13 PM |
| My initial order came in this past Thursday.
Spent a little time assembling some curves and getting a general feel
for the track. Aside from joints being about 2 hairs off, I like the looks
of the roadbed. Just gotta get the support piping before long.
And decide what roadbed sections I gotta get with next order!
Hopefully, I can add photos once I get started. | |
Keith
Life Member
Colorado Railroad Museum
www.crrm.org
Member
Rio Grande Modeling and Historical Society
www.drgw.org | |
|
KCHahn
Longmont, Co.
Brakeman
Posts:76
Send Message
| | 08/23/2008 8:57 AM |
| Reviving an old thread with an update.
Have been attempting to get roadbed down.
Had to dig a 12" deep trench first, then
dig deeper holes with a post hole digger.
This was required so I could get the PVC
pipe in place that would eventually hold the track.
Just under half done, and seriously thinking of ripping out
what I've got done to date. Finding out the stuff is useless and worthless!!!
Sections do NOT line up properly, in either direction.
I've got a slight verticle lip and every joint is off horizontally by about 1/16".
What roadbed has been slid over pipes driven in so far, is warped! I'd actually have to provide more support UNDER the track, to prevent the warping.
Unfortunately, I'm finding that I've made a $300 mistake. With something that's gonna have to be ripped out and thrown in the trash. Better of attempting to lay track with other methods. May be harder, and be more work, but I'm thinking it'll be much faster!
My overall thoughts: Beyond extremely disappointed in something that looked
very promising. Have NOT been satisfied at all.
Not gonna make that mistake again.
| |
Keith
Life Member
Colorado Railroad Museum
www.crrm.org
Member
Rio Grande Modeling and Historical Society
www.drgw.org | |
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