[pimanjc]

This is the first in a series of posts showing the 2010-2011 expansion of the HedgeApple RioGram RR.

1. In order to expand the RR, the storage shed shown behind Jerry Barnes must be moved.

2. The new location was chosen and a "slab" of concrete blocks was laid down. This move will allow more scenic railfanning in addition to allowing expansion. The new expanded area will replace the flagstone mountain and shed and in the area to Jerry's left. A covered five track storage yard will be constructed with interconnecting lines and switches to the existing loops as a first stage. Stage II will add an independent third loop and a small logging loop, with a mountain and possibly a waterfall and dry sump pond system [as $$ are available]. A new 6-ft fence will have to be built to replace the picket fence shown, and mask the relocated shed from the street.

Next step: move the shed. Weather may delay this for a few days. Tomorrow I won't get much done. A visit to the Denist with a root canal is scheduled.[]

JimC

 

[pimanjc]

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.

 

[pimanjc]

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

 

[pimanjc]

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.

 

[pimanjc]

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.

 

[pimanjc]

RE: 2010 HedgeAppleRioGram Expansion log

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

 

[pimanjc]

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

 

[pimanjc]

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.

 

[pimanjc]

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

 

[pimanjc]

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..

 

[pimanjc]

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.

 

[pimanjc]

RE: 2010 HedgeAppleRioGram Expansion log

Installed more track today.[/b]

Today I got 40 more feet of the track installed in the yard. There is 35 feet remaining. I found that a combination of "shoe Goo" and 23g x 5/8 pin nails seem to be the best method for installing the Train-Li track without ties.

RJ, Thanks for posting the picture of your switch. What kind of siding did you use on your barn?

Steve, The curves on the swing switch are R3-8ft diameter on the outside, and 12ft diameter curves for the center two curves.

Manco, I already have the front and one of the barn ends pre-built. If you notice from the pictures, the back wall is already in place. The Back wall extends above the deck 20in. There is a vertical 2x4 each four feet. The front wall wil extend above the deck 12in. Five 40 in long x 4ft wide pannels of couragated plastic will be used to make the sloping roof. The 1st, 3rd, and 5th pannels will lift up, while the 2nd and 4th will be fixed to provide additional rigidity. I will probably complete the connecting ladder roadway prior to building the sides and roof. I extimate the cost of materials for the roof to be between $120 and $150.

As some have noticed, this has been a fluid project, with several changes in size and construction being made along the way. It is entirely possible the design of the roof may change some before completion. One of my main goals on this project has been to keep the cost as low as possible since I am now fully retired.

JimC.

 

[pimanjc]

RE: 2010 HedgeAppleRioGram Expansion log

12. Building Ladder Roadbed - Module 4.[/b]

Ladder roadbed was built to connect the mainline to the yardbarn. NeverRot plastic wood was ripped from 1x4s for the sides. Treated 2x2 was cut to length for the bars. The bevilled end seen in the below picture is to allow mounting to the existing concrete, curving roadbed. The Concrete roadbed was drilled and a self tapping screw attached the ladder sides.

13. Ladder leveled and assembled.[/b]
The vertical supports are 1 1/2 in PVC. Three supports still need to be added and the level fine tuned. Got to go back to Lowes to get two more 4ft lengths of the PVC.

I am one tired puppy tonight. I haven't worked this hard and steady since last October, before my back problems started. My shoulders will probably be sore tomorrow. I also got some sunburn [shame on me].

JimC.

 

[pimanjc]

RE: 2010 HedgeAppleRioGram Expansion log

14. All track is laid in the yard and the swing switch is completed.

15. Entire Structure is lowered, ladder completed, and track is laid connecting the mainline.

After the ladder was added to the structure, as seen in picture #13, the grade from the mainline to the swing switch was avg. 1.8% grade. Three inches were removed from each leg of the yard and the ladder also was lowered and re-leveled. Now the grade is

 

[pimanjc]

RE: 2010 HedgeAppleRioGram Expansion log

17. Added sides and ends to yardbarn today.[/b]

18. A detail shot of the SwingSwitch was requested by a MLS Chat member.

I took the CFO to Lowes and got approval for the roofing material [Tuffex corragated plastic]l. Now, I have to figure out how to frame the hinged opening pannels.

JimC.

 

[pimanjc]

RE: 2010 HedgeAppleRioGram Expansion log

19. Roof is installed.

The roof was installed [and re-installed a couple of times] yesterday and today. Panels 1,3, & 5 are hinged and can be propped open for easy access. Panels 2 & 4 are fixed for structural rigidity. Translucent smoked TUFIX was cut to 40 in lengths for the ten pieces making up the roof. We had rain most of today so the roof got its first trial. Edges of the roofing overlap to keep it watertight.

20. Inside view with roof installed. I wish I had painted [black, brown, or forest green] the roof framework before installing the Tufix. Oh-Well !

The front closure still needs to be built. Some rough cedar trim and additional painting detail still remain to be completed. I may load some cars into the yard tomorrow.

Landscaping from the takeoff switch on the mainline to the beginning of the yard needs to be upgraded.

Jerry,[/b]
The Shoe Goo glue [available in shoe dept. of Walmart] worked quite well on the plastic rail. I used a pin nailer [from HF] to anchor the track in gauge while the glue dried. I am very pleased.

JimC.

 

[pimanjc]

RE: 2010 HedgeAppleRioGram Expansion log

4/17-18/10:

I filled the yard with cars. My Aristo Streamliners all fit nicely on one track. The Heavyweights took all of one and part of another track. The coal train took 1+ tracks and the stock car consist used up much of one track. There is still a little room for staging/storing engines. Too bad I didn't have room to build the 24ft [compared to 20ft] length, as originally planned.

Since I still have a number of miscelaneous freight cars, 4-caboose, some wood sided cars I need to sell, two snow plows, etc, I will, as MOD 5 build an enclosed shelf under the existing platform between the legs at the rear of the barn [look at pic # 19 for reference]. I'm not too sure how soon this will be completed. Both the upper yard and the lower storage will be lockable for security.

The approach area may be rocked and partially trestled to give a look similiar to the entrance to Marty Cozad's Highline.

JimC.

 

[pimanjc]

RE: 2010 HedgeAppleRioGram Expansion log

21. Mike Reilley requested that I post a pic of the barn loaded with cars.

After this picture was taken, a hasp and lock were added to each of the three opening roof pannels. A hinged front cover was made from clear plexiglass which also has a hasp and lock for security. A set of four locks which all use the same key were bought from Walmart.

Today, after the above work was finished, the DRGW SD-45 was backed up to and coupled to the coal hopper train in the second lane. The SD-45 had no trouble going through any of the five track approaches or the spur take-off switch with the hoppers. Backing up 15 cars across the spur and into the yard went without a hitch [sorry no pics or video].

JimC.

 

[pimanjc]

RE: 2010 HedgeAppleRioGram Expansion log

22. Front entry picture.

i realized that a picture of the front door hadn't been posted. The door is secured with hinges and a lock hasp. Material is 1/4in plexiglass. Eventually, I may paint a portal or engine shed facade on the plexiglass, leaving the "openings" to see the cars or engines inside.

The door swings back against the fence, out of the way. I finally got all the rough cedar trim installed and painted.

JimC.

 

[pimanjc]

RE: 2010 HedgeAppleRioGram Expansion log

2010May08- Module 6 - Electrical and track control

Today the shed was wired with a 110v AC outlet. A shelf was placed on the crossbracing. The transformer and a Trackside TE were mounted to control the inner loop if desired.

I may add another connection on the approach to the outer loop, allowing me to drive on trains going either clockwise or counterclockwise.

JimC.