RE: 2010 HedgeAppleRioGram Expansion log

3. Good weather today...72F, no wind, and sunny! The root canal was postponed to next Tuesday, so I had time to work outside.

First, the doors and half the roof were removed. Then the shed was unloaded and rotated for relocation. I was able to move it by myself by putting a four wheel dolly under the right end below, and pushing from the other end.

4. Since many of the unloaded freight cars were out, I decided to run a train while working....

5. The shed is moved into the new location and restuffed.... Good thing I got it moved today. The forcast for the next seven days is low fiftys and rain.

Now I have to get the picket fence behind the shed replaced with some six foot solid fence to keep the homeowners' association off my behind. Sheds like this one are not allowed to be seen from the street.

Our three grandkids came over after school and helped me carry all the freight cars from the track to the shed for storage. The grandkids also helped repopulate the layout with little people, cars, and other detail.

It was a very good day, but I will certainly sleep well tonight.

JimC.

 

RE: 2010 HedgeAppleRioGram Expansion log

6. 2010Mar26
The original flex track was cut on the West curve and the siding switch was installed. Stakes were driven into the ground in the approximate path that the siding will follow over to the wood cedar fence. The track will follow the fence for about 10ft. before arriving at the entry switch at the open end of the 24ft - 5 track - storage barn. The ground level falls approximately 3ft from switch to end of the barn. Sight marks were made on the stakes and fence to indicate a level run from switch to end of barn. Because of the trestle, all sight marks were made +3in above the actual track level.

The 24ft storage barn will extend from the left side of the pine tree branches to the end of the illustrated arrow tip in the bottom right photo, above.


Jim Carter

 

RE: 2010 HedgeAppleRioGram Expansion log

WOW, ambitious plan, glad I was able to help!

 

RE: 2010 HedgeAppleRioGram Expansion log

Jim, you blocked the egress to you backyard. How are people to get to your RR now?

 

RE: 2010 HedgeAppleRioGram Expansion log

quote: 29 Mar 2010 10:06 AM Reevha wrote: "Jim, you blocked the egress to you backyard. How are people to get to your RR now?"


Herb,
Nah! The comings and goings by guests should still be through the Arbor between the shed and garage. I never allowed access to the yard by visitors through the area the the resin shed was placed.

Today I did some pricing at Lowes and HD. I'm alternating in opinion between using plywood or hardyboard for siding and/or flooring.

JimC.

 

RE: 2010 HedgeAppleRioGram Expansion log

Jim,
Having that staging yard, I would think that a three foot drop in elevation would be a definite advantage!!

 

RE: 2010 HedgeAppleRioGram Expansion log

3/31/10
Today I put up the PVC & rough cedar fence between the main shed and the neighbor's fence. It can be lifted out for access to the area behind. The fence hides the resin shed and utility trailer so the HOA doesn't get on my back. The Arbor is the main entrance to the back yard from the front or side. The picket fence section to the right of the arbor lifts out, allowing my tractor and utility trailer to get from the back to the front yard.

The fence is about 2in above the ground to allow runoff during a hard rain. This area occasionally floods.
While I had the paint out to cover the rough cedar, I touched up several windows around the house that were starting to show paint deterioration.

Therefore, I didn't get to run any trains today.
The tall HedgeApple [Osage Orange] trees in the background provide an umbrella of shade over the layout all summer and fall.

Jim C.

 

RE: 2010 HedgeAppleRioGram Expansion log

Jim,
Now's the time to build up your turf before those hedgeapple trees leaf out!

 

RE: 2010 HedgeAppleRioGram Expansion log

HeeHee.... I think I need Astroturf.!
JC

 

RE: 2010 HedgeAppleRioGram Expansion log

Dad used to tell the sad story of the guy who decided to forget the grass, pave the yard and paint it green. But then, to keep up appearances, he would get out the mower once a week and go over it. However, well into November, when the other yards were snow covered, his was bare and he still had to get out every Saturday morning and "mow" the "grass."

Ok, in those days, it would start to snow sometime after Halloween, but would melt off the sidewalks until almost Thanksgiving.

 

RE: 2010 HedgeAppleRioGram Expansion log

Looks like you got a plan.

Now to get it done.....

 

RE: 2010 HedgeAppleRioGram Expansion log

your trains look good. dad says karissa and me are on the railroad agin. cool.

 

RE: 2010 HedgeAppleRioGram Expansion log

Who made the tank cars in your picture?

 

RE: 2010 HedgeAppleRioGram Expansion log

8. Started on rail yardbarn.[/b]

Happy Easter to my Chrisitan Friends. Peace and friendship to all. Today was a day filled with worship, family, food, friends, and some trains. The eggliner express ran for the grandkids and two sets of neighbor kids.

Yesterday, I pre-painted the backs and frontsides of the yard buildings' pannels. The frame was started using treated lumber, nailed together. I discovered that the nails did not grip in the wet treated lumber and had to be reinforced with 3 1/2 in. decking screws.
Today [April 4th - Easter], The supporting legs were added and the structure leveled at

 

RE: 2010 HedgeAppleRioGram Expansion log

Well Jim I hope I have provided the answers for you to make the storage area that you are going to build. Later RJD

 

RE: 2010 HedgeAppleRioGram Expansion log

9. Module 2 - Swing Switch platform frame for the yardshed is completed. The ladder track from the takeoff switch on the layout will be attached to the front of the 4x4.

The old addage: "One thing leads to another..." was very true today. I also ended up re-adjusting three sprinkler heads and moving one as a result of this project.

One more frame module to go before I start adding floor, sides, roof, and track.

JimC.

 

RE: 2010 HedgeAppleRioGram Expansion log

Looking good Jim. Yep you defiantly need to use deck screws when doing this project. Makes it a lot easier and stronger. Later RJD

 

RE: 2010 HedgeAppleRioGram Expansion log

10. Applied some decking, put down 25 ft. of track, and started on the "Swing switch."[/b]

RJ - I used deck screws on the Hardyboard as you suggested.
Marty Cozad - Thanks for the idea using the swing switch. Is there any chance you could post a picture or two of the attaching points between the brass rail and the wood rails in your storage room?

The actual yard uses 1/2" Hardyboard for its base. The Train-Li plastic rail is glued directly to the base using "Shoe Goo." I figured that if the goo could stick to a slimmy, muddy sneaker, it could stick to anything plastic.

So far, it is working well.
The Swing Switch uses brass rail mounted on ties. The triangular base for the switch is 1/4" hardyboard, compensating for the difference in height of the glued and tie-mounted rails. The outside curves are 16000s and the inside curves are 18000s. Aristo couplers connect the Train-Li rail [trimmed bottom plate] to the brass rail.

I had hoped to finish the Swing Switch today. The wife was working and I was home alone. However, a thunderstorm blew in with rain and hail halting all progress amid a frantic hustle to put up all the power toys before they got wet.

JimC

 

RE: 2010 HedgeAppleRioGram Expansion log

All the "Goo" brand adhesives I have tried, which doesn't include Shoe Goo, have failed in the sun in a year or two.

Try fastening the track with drywall screws right through the ties and HardiBoard

- gws

 

RE: 2010 HedgeAppleRioGram Expansion log

George,
I am not using ties in the actual yard. The rail is glued directily to the hardyboard. A near future part of the project is to attach a front wall and roof to the yard, covering the glued rail.
JimC..

 

RE: 2010 HedgeAppleRioGram Expansion log

Furrow strips and a brad nailerwill hold the rails. After numerous glue failures, I start with a mechanical bond.
Unless you need powered track, that plastic track would probably be the easiest flexing for your lead switch.

John

 

RE: 2010 HedgeAppleRioGram Expansion log

Well if the glue fails a year from now...

Use a non-rail product like this PVC strip @ $5 for 8'


http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/manco/RR/DSCN1842.jpg

It's got enough mass that normal deck screws can easily be used to fasten it down eliminating the need for ties if adhesive doesn't work.


And use that rail somewhere else in some ties to give you more mainline length. If you don't need power and it's not going to show, who cares if it's not the cross section of railroad rail . Track is too expensive these days to hide.

 

RE: 2010 HedgeAppleRioGram Expansion log

11. Frame and base built for Module 3.[/b]

The 12ft module three frame and hardyboard were put together today with the help of Wichita Club [WAGRS] member, David McLain. The total length is 8ft mod1+12ft mod3 + 5ft mod2 swing swtich = 25ft.

Work still to be done is the connecting ladder roadway, laying track, finishing the swing switch, and adding the front, sides, and roof.

Suggestions are always welcome and will be considered.

JimC.

 

RE: 2010 HedgeAppleRioGram Expansion log

I like it! I'm looking forward to how you do the structure to cover the storage area. I've got a similar base to yours built w/ rail installed and it's just sitting in my garage waiting for me to finish scratching my head trying to figure out how to best build a weatherproof enclosure.

 

RE: 2010 HedgeAppleRioGram Expansion log

Correct me if I'm wrong Jim but it looks as if the curves where the tracks become parallel are awfully tight especially on the ends! I would recommend wider radii especially for the outside tracks! My thought is for the larger passenger cars and how much trouble they have going through what essentially becomes an "S" curve.