Actually guys that track plan on my blog was done using the Microsoft Visio drawing program. The benchwork and other "major" objects are to scale but the track is just sorta drawn in to look like it will on the layout. I am doing the XTrkCad plan in the other thread to produce an accurate trackplan. I almost forgot about that thread--need to do an update! Thanks for the reminder. Jamie
Thanks for both answers. I am not worried about to-scale or pre-planning, just a decent representation. The latest plan of yours did that very well. KB
Risers! I'm really on the clock now since I told my 4-year old son that we would have some track in by the end of next weekend! Jamie
Alright Jamie! Hope you make the deadline Whats the deal with the nails sticking up? I can't think of what you'd be using them for with your spline roadbed. -Mike
Mike, The nails are for clamping the splines in place during the lamination process; they come out after the first 3 splines are done. Here is a page that does a great job explaining the process: http://s145079212.onlinehome.us/rr/howto/splines/index.shtml Jamie
HAHA. I see we paint alike... lots of it and everywhere. From personal experience, be sure the nails (I used screws) are nice and vertical. Superelevation is nice but not on straightaways. KB
Is this just a single spline? What is it attached to on each of the risers? I would think you put this first one in place and then attach the others to it. Thanks.
You are correct, the first spline gets laid out and then the others are glued to it. In the picture, the first spline is in place and has been clamped to the finishing nails driven into the tops of each riser. At the very bottom of the picture, you can see where the spline has been clamped to the "key spline" inserted into the slot on the dropdown gate across the doorway. Next comes the glue, and lots of it! Jamie
All of the spline roadbed in the Emerson area of the layout is now complete. This is about 40% of the lower level. All in all, I am VERY pleased with how easy it was to build spline roadbed. I also like the fact that it is dirt cheap and the only waste is the sawdust generated when cutting the splines. Plus, you've gotta love all of the flowing curves with natural easements. Next on the agenda I will be topping the splines with homemade cork roadbed and laying the track. Completed spline roadbed, North Emerson: Completed spline roadbed, South Emerson: I had planned on doing a return loop on the helix base but did not want to mess with temporary track, so instead I just coiled the mainline around the helix base and terminated it. This will basically be a staging track at the south end of the layout until the helix gets built. I'll do the same to the outside track on the helix base which will be the temporary staging track for the north end of the layout: Jamie
Jamie, This is really working out great. For a minute there you had me thinking of ripping up my foam and plywood and laying spline in place of it... It actually took me a few minutes to change my mind... but almost. You are doing a heck of a job. Now, must I say... Lay some track already! Its time for the black spike ceremony!
Another plus for splines, IIRC, they tend to automatically create easements for the curves. It's a nice, smooth, flowing track work you have there. :thumbs_up:
Jamie, beautiful work my friend! I'm with Hutch, I could see myself pulling out all my subroadbed and redoing both levels with spline, it's that convincing. One question Jamie, is the house track going to fit? -Mike
Thanks for the compliments gang! The spline roadbed really rocks. This week, I completed the coark roadbed atop the spline roadbed in the Emerson area of the layout: In this picture, you can see the transition ramp that has been sanded in the cork roadbed down to the siding (near track) to account for the taller double-thick layer of cork on the mainline: Jamie
MILESTONE: First track officially laid on the CSX Dixie Line! After soldering feeders to the bottoms of the rails at the workbench, I permanently affixed the first two sections of Micro Engineering Code 55 concrete tie flex track to the roadbed. I am using grey Dap ALEX caulk to affix the track; the color is almost an exact match to the concrete ties and doesn't stand out like the bright white caulk would have. These first sections of track make up the mainline that runs from the south end of the Emerson siding into the helix: Jamie
A milestone indeed! There is nothing quite like the feel of solid track work under wheel. It's looking really good - keep it up! Cheers, Gary
