cmjdisanto
1st Class Member
Colonial Heights, Virginia
Foreman
Posts:206
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 | | 03/18/2008 8:51 AM |
| We have changed a couple things on the layout but most of the work has been focused elsewhere. Still outta ballast but hopefully that will be taken care of at the end of the month. I added some stacked stone to the layout to level an area behind the trestle and also remove the mess of stones in the upper right side left-hand curve before the trestle/quad bridge combo. The stone work is to carry throughout the back yard (eventually) but this ties in nicely with the double level we have on the left side of things.
There were two #6 turnouts added on the top end of things. One is to complete the inner loop and remove it from being a closed loop and the other will tie to a system of 1-3 tracks (depending on the area) that will follow the perimeter of the yard. For now that is only on our property but it will hopefully involve the "other" area as time goes by.
We have also looked at adding a track for the kids since there are two trains we have that will not be able to be converted over to MTS or Battery for awhile. It may tie in to the rest of things and just be isolated with insulated clamps but not sure at the moment. The layout will be to the left of the shed and near the tree.
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 MLS Member since September 2005 | |
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Duncan
1st Class Member
Foreman
Posts:297
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| | 03/18/2008 9:21 AM |
| Looks like the progress is happening, Joe.
Takes time, but you'll get there.
And I, for one, REALLY like the yellow accents on the trees...  | |
 Duncan Thomson
Sun Dancer RR-Gilbert,AZ
SA# 52
Life isn't a journey to the grave, intending on arriving safely in a pretty and well kept body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, loudly proclaiming,'Wow! Whata ride!
(Embracing the Dimside. Let the Farce be with you. Dimness is what you make of it. Make mine Dim.)
This could get interesting... | |
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cmjdisanto
1st Class Member
Colonial Heights, Virginia
Foreman
Posts:206
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| | 06/25/2008 4:59 PM |
| We have been doing some work over the past couple months and I wanted to update things. I finally was able to get the pictures to load but adding text and centering them is another story. But I will try. Turn-about's fair play so......I can't wait to get those of you computer people who can't boil water into my kitchen Moohoohahahaha!
This is the inner loop that has been in the works for the lasy oh.....7 months. We've had a horrendous issue with moles/voles tunneling through the road bed if it's made with #9 crushed granite. Strange since we have been told they avoid coarse/sharp stone. They are determined little buggers. Hopefulle the new roadbed we've come up with, #57 stone base topped with crusher fines, will prevent them from tunneling through and screwing with things. The area infront and to the left of the Beer Garten needs more crusher fines for the roadbed to reduce the grade and of course ballast. I have a 35gal trash can of ballast left so it will probably have to wait for the August budget for the train.
This area will be where we set up a staging table. It will tie in off the large radius turn out you see in the bottom center of the pic. The straight track to the right ties in to complete the loop in the upper part of the pic as well.
This is the track that completes the tie iin to the loop I just mentioned.
This is an isolated portion of the layout. It will not function with the MTS and is for Cami to use with her train's. It also does complete loop I mentioned above and is added space for multiple trains to be rum when we try to have our BBQ next year. It will be for battery use as well.
The last two pics were taken from a second story window to show the overall yard and layout. | |
MLS Member since September 2005 | |
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Torby
1st Class Member
North Chicago 'burbs.
Engineer
Posts:1908
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| | 06/26/2008 6:27 AM |
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 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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cmjdisanto
1st Class Member
Colonial Heights, Virginia
Foreman
Posts:206
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| | 06/26/2008 10:56 AM |
| | Thanks Tom. I did have a chance to try things again. Just to let ya'll know I have added commentary to the pics in my last post. | |
MLS Member since September 2005 | |
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cmjdisanto
1st Class Member
Colonial Heights, Virginia
Foreman
Posts:206
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| | 08/18/2008 2:52 PM |
| Just an update to things here. Finally finished the entire first phase of the layout. All track is connected and operational. Ran some trains yesterday to dial in things for a family get-together next month. Hopefully not much will happen between now and then with the moles, voles, chipmunks and squirels since I'm out of ballast but I don't think we'll be that lucky. Good chance to check out the new camera we bought to take some insurance pics too.
The two pictures below show the next phase of work. As you can see when compared with previous pictures in the post we have removed the trestle deck that was on the backside of the layout and added an actual roadbed. We plan on making a double track along this area to alleviate congestion on the track. This way we can run 3 trains independently at the same time. There will also be some changes to the area infront of the shed but that will also take time.
Now all we have to do is see how water runoff reacts to the new changes and ......
May need some of the bridges that I have in storage after all.
No pics for this but there will eventually be a staging table that will tie into the layout as well as the steamer rack but it's only a pipe dream at the moment. Gotta dream.... yes?
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MLS Member since September 2005 | |
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cmjdisanto
1st Class Member
Colonial Heights, Virginia
Foreman
Posts:206
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| | 09/01/2008 7:28 PM |
| We started on the double line for the back side of the layout today. Danged that I thought I had all the right stuff to do it. Unfortunately 3 LH #6's and 1 RH will not a complete transfer junction make. So everything had to be buttoned up with only one functioning loop. It's Martha's loop so we'll still be able to run trains when the family gets here the weekend of the 20th but if we want to run the inner loop it'll have to be a point a to be and back again.
We also need to get a third RH 6 so I can redux the cut-off from the bottom loop. I thought this was a waste of track but dopey me. I forgot I did that so Cami could run her train without interfering with the inner loop. It's a steep grade (5.5%) but the SD seems to handle it no problem. Martha's Sachsen in a different story though. Anyhow all that had to be reworked as well. Certainly made for a mess of things today. What was supposed to be a quick addition turned into........a 3 headed albatross. Doohhh!!!!
It'll be a while before the finance comittee releases funds for the necessary track purchase. Thought of selling some of the "extra" stuff in the maintenance yard but but there's no sense in it since we'll have to probably purchase replacements down the road. In other words it doesn't make sense to sell something for a fraction of what the new will cost to replace it so......here we wait.
I may just attach the track and use it as it is for now but hopefully something will happen soon.
I snapped more pics of the work. Not sure if it really matters but what the heck. I like looking at them.
This is what was there. All three tracks dumped into the one line. Too much traffic for the area.
Note this is a work in progress so.....Not complete but also not exactly what we are keeping for the transfer junction. The tough part of this is that there is not enough time (or resources) to create a trestle to have the inner loop and existing trestle loop operate independently of each other. Plus I'd like to be able to operate my train on the whole layout. The new trestle would eliminate that.
This is the new junction and bypass track. The large radius RH is going to head off to a staging table some day. (that'll be the "golden spike" day)
This is some new rock work that was needed to control water and erosion. We had a good storm yesterday (3" rain in about 20 minutes) and we had a washover the track. Hopefully this will slow or stop that issue.
The new retaining wall for the mainline road bed. This also aides in the issue mentioned above.
These last three pics are of the bypass area. I had a #6 here but as I explained we had a brain fart and.....Anyhow we are actually thinking of doing a double track back a ways that will pass under the bridge. There is plenty of room and I could use the LH #6 if I reposition things. The bypass almost follows the same path as the original but since it no longer connects to the trestle loop it needed to be repositioned. Actually this helps reduce the grade to about 4.5% since it stays part of the loop it is intended to bypass. Hope that made sense. Hehehe
Later,
Joe | |
MLS Member since September 2005 | |
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cmjdisanto
1st Class Member
Colonial Heights, Virginia
Foreman
Posts:206
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| | 09/03/2008 7:48 PM |
| "Hello? Is anybody out there? Just nod if you can hear me. Is there anyone at home"
Edited to remove the impression that I was "fishing angry" | |
MLS Member since September 2005 | |
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stumpycc
1st Class Member
Kansas City, Mo.
Foreman
Posts:187
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| | 09/04/2008 4:52 AM |
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Well Joe, once again you have done a great job on the layout, I think it even looks twice as good as the one you had here in KC. It's amazing what you and Martha have done with such a large space. And, I am not saying this to "boost" your ego. ( you know me, I don't do that) I mean it sincerely.
I have been following your progress and am very impressed with the way it is turning out.
I will agree with you that the new sight has gotten a little boring, but I think that is because there aren't many posts on here that intrest me right now. I have kind of lost interest in things. Which I beleive is because, as you would say; ( other priorities ).
I think alot of people are waiting for the "finished" product before thay make a coment, that way they can give thier overall opinion of how things look and work.
Tell Martha and Cami we said " Hello "
Cliff
P. S.
Have you been getting the club News Letter?
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I think the old Steamers are the best and coolest looking of ALL the trains!!!!
"The less you know, the less likely you are to be Subpoenaed"  clc 25-01-2007 http://community.webshots.com/user/ccouch1963 | |
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Ole Toad Frog
Posts:0
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| | 09/04/2008 6:29 AM |
| I like the POSTED sign....who is back there going to get you 
Toad | | | |
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wchasr
1st Class Member
Western NY
Foreman
Posts:432
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| | 09/04/2008 7:57 AM |
| Joe,
Many attaboys coming your way! this from someone who can't find the time to turn around much less get some track laid out to run a train right now. I'm extremely envious of you gettign as far as you have ( the second time around) but my life right now is such that a cursory glance at topics is about all I can manage and I'm pretty sure I simply do not ahve time to start a thread war. The new version here is still undergoing growing pains and my life is crazy. I can wait (if I have to) I suppose? I've waited this long for a layout I can wait for the forum. It's not so bad. The ones that ahven't undergone major changes are in even more turmoil and i don't go there much anymore so that tells you how the state of the world is now.
Take care!
Chas | | | |
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markoles
1st Class Member
Lancaster, PA
Conductor
Posts:882
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| | 09/04/2008 8:54 AM |
| Joe,
I was wondering about the Posted sign as well. Must be for the neighbor that's mad that she never though of having trains in the backyard before.
I haven't closely followed your progress since the initial set up. I like the spot for your kids to run trains. That's a neat idea that I will likely unapologetically rip off in the coming years.
Anyway, the layout looks really good. You've certainly come a long way, certainly your layout looks more polished than mine!
Mark | |
Mark Oles
Millersvillanova Railroad, Lancaster, PA | |
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Alan in Adirondacks
1st Class Member
Glens Falls, NY
Foreman
Posts:123
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| | 09/04/2008 8:55 AM |
| Joe,
Nice work! I need to look at doing something myself, but it would have to be elevated....
I also have noticed the slow down in posting (I'm usually over on the Live Steam forum, but don't post very often --- partly because of being busy and partly for the hassle of inserting things)
Best regards, and keep posting!
Alan | |
Alan Redeker
SA #17 | |
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cmjdisanto
1st Class Member
Colonial Heights, Virginia
Foreman
Posts:206
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| | 09/09/2008 2:18 PM |
| Thanks ya'll. Wasn't trying to cause a ruckus but we just felt kinda "left out". Even though we do this for our own enjoyment, we also derive some enjoyment from sharing things with folks. If no one responds then......
The posted signs? Yeah....The short of it was because the BBB (and that's not short for better business bureau) played a hand that was rather low so........ That's what we love about the South. They still cherrish the protection of one's property. You just have to make it known.
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MLS Member since September 2005 | |
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Duncan
1st Class Member
Foreman
Posts:297
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| | 09/09/2008 3:35 PM |
| You forgot a pillbox emplacement...
Anyway, here's what I would try to do with an outer "leg"... |
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Duncan Thomson
Sun Dancer RR-Gilbert,AZ
SA# 52
Life isn't a journey to the grave, intending on arriving safely in a pretty and well kept body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, loudly proclaiming,'Wow! Whata ride!
(Embracing the Dimside. Let the Farce be with you. Dimness is what you make of it. Make mine Dim.)
This could get interesting... | |
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cmjdisanto
1st Class Member
Colonial Heights, Virginia
Foreman
Posts:206
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| | 09/14/2008 1:52 AM |
| Duncan, I see what you're talking about better now. Thanks for the input. Not sure of the viability of heading that way in SWMABO opinion since she has a garden area planned back there. I may actually try my hand at a cross-over trestle on the back line. It's almost 40ft back there and that might be enough space to get up, over and back down with out too much of a grade. Unfortunately one track would have to be sunk down a bit. Unfortunately it's gonna be a while before any of that can take place. Main thing is to get the RH#6 to complete what I started on that back line and finish the new double track heading under the bridge. Put the LH#6 in the other day and started to place rocks and retaining wall on that curve to widen the road bed.
This is the area I am speaking of.
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MLS Member since September 2005 | |
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John J
Moderator
Conductor
Posts:906
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| | 09/14/2008 3:53 AM |
| You might try explaining to SWMBO that if you were to put the track in as Duncan it might reduce the size of her gardena little. On the other hand reducing the size of her garden would put less stress on her part not haveing to fill such a big space with flowers and plants.
The layout looks great | |
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cmjdisanto
1st Class Member
Colonial Heights, Virginia
Foreman
Posts:206
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| | 10/06/2008 9:47 AM |
| Thanks JJ, I've done all the 'splain'n I'm gonna do with things. Hehehe She just isn't buying it. LOL Just a quick update. We started the double track under the bridge overpass. It's taking a bit more than anticipated. Most of the track has to be custome cut to fit with-in the operating area of the landscape and the existing track. Here is a pic of the area. Now all we need is that RH #6 and some ballast added and we're good to go. Then comes the next phase and finally.....the Golden Spike!!!!! | |
MLS Member since September 2005 | |
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markoles
1st Class Member
Lancaster, PA
Conductor
Posts:882
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| | 10/06/2008 11:15 AM |
| Looking good, Joe. | |
Mark Oles
Millersvillanova Railroad, Lancaster, PA | |
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NTCGRR
1st Class Member
Nebraska City NE
Engineer
Posts:1078
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| | 12/25/2008 12:22 PM |
| | atless Joe never gives up. | |
 Marty Cozad
North Table Creek GRR
Nebraska City, NE
Is it "REAL" or just 1:29 th | |
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