Posted By Dougald on 01/09/2009 7:04 AM
Doug
To make a start on your questions ...
All locos need lubrication of some sort ... it depends on the loco so its hard to give a really specific answer. In general, the gearboxes need to be lubed with a heavy gear oil or grease. This is normally done at the factory and may or may not need more now depending on how long the loco has sat. On steam locos and especially those shays, the running gear should get a drop of light plastic compatible oil on the bearing surfaces before every usage. Do not overoil as it attracts dirt.
On the issue of roadbed ... I am in the Ottawa Valley in Canada which has a much colder and longer winter than the south shore of Lake Erie. All OVGRS members who have track down have used the same method. Track is elevated by setting deckbloks topped with pt 4x4 to the required height. These are put on 6 foot centres to carry a roadbed of pt 2x6. Track is attached to the 2x6 by spiking every 12th tie through the ends. We have had no problem with frost heave as long as the original fround on which the deckblocks sit is compacted or undisturbed. We do not however use track power so we have no concerns about electrical continuity. All OVGRS member use battery RC. Take a look at our website
www.ovgrs.org for pics of what we do.
In your case, if you insist on making the equivalent of footing by sinking posts in the ground, I would recommend consulting your local building code for the requirements for building decks. A failure to get a post below the frost line will result in the frost eventually lifting the post.
As you have found, we too found that switch mechanisms do not survive winters well. Sitting in ice and snow for months on end takes its toll. The Aristo switch machines and even their manual throws are particularly problematic - OVGRS members pitch them at the outset. LGB's are only slightly better. We make our own manual throws using a few different methods - I personally prefer automotive choke cables. For an automated switch, if you must have one, I would suggest using compressed air activated switch motors.
Regards ... Doug
Thanks for the tips Doug. I know the code for the area is 30 inches so I always go 36. I like the deck block idea better though sounds like a little easier time since I have lots of trees on my lot.
I think I will need to stay with DC power here with as many engines as I have it would be a small fortune to reoutfit them all. I have reall good luck with the DC power as I soldered # 12 braded copper wire across each jiont with a small loop so I gould cut them and resolder if needed.
I suspected I should relube them but for the few Iopened they seem like there is ample lube in them but I think they will all need inspection and some lube.
Can't wait to get started this spring its been a long time.