So, got about 95% of the track laid for the transition track laid, and have connected the two ends with a temporary loop-the theory being I could run a train around and around to check the integrity of the transition track, along with the switches in staging. The train I've made up is about 20 cars long, and axles by MTL, atlas, FVM and athearn. I started running it before dinner and after working a few bugs and kinks here and there (mainly removing liquid nails from the top of the rails and filing a little solder away) have had things running smoothly ever since-about 3 hours worth of good clean running
Yet another video. With all the testing going so smoothly I'm about confident enough to seal it all in by attaching the main roadbed base and going from there. Saying that, I am completely out of flex track, so until I receive my latest order I'll just keep on testing. I'm approaching about 12 hours of running and have a grand total of three derailments, all in one place, and all with the BLMA axles. Fortunately it's right before all the switches, so it re-rails itself right away [video=youtube;IBcUIMgkaAQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBcUIMgkaAQ[/video]
I had an issue with the BLMA 33" wheelsets. I solved it by gauging the wheels out as far as possible (widened?), that helped solve it. I heard from Craig of BLMA on a podcast that the first production of the 33" wheelsets came out wrong because the manufacturer simply scaled down the 36" wheelset plans for the 33" wheels. Oh and love the commentary in your videos, it helps when things are being explained.
Thank you for the compliment, and thank you so much for the info about the blma trucks! It wasn't making any sense that it was ONLY that pair that was derailing in hours of running. And glad you like the commentary-nothing short of a miracle given that I open my mouth and out tumbles God-knows-what (I can't stand to listen to myself so I really don't remember what I say lol) Cheers!
With staging and transition fully tested, going ahead and dry fitting the main level roadbed. Heights above staging range from 2.5" to 3.5" save for the bridge area which will have a 2" clearance over the double track. Pictures! These two show the start of the transition to staging:
Chaos is ensuing Thankfully there is a smidgen of progress. Somewhere. Evident here: If you compare this one with the one in the last post you can play spot the difference As you may notice, helix has evaporated. Having monumental issues figuring out how I'm going to have the top level attached to the helix (which incidentally is now planned to be attached to the bottom level for simplicity) and still have the level lift off without too much trouble. Should anyone wish for it, I can go into more detail on the matter, but for now I think I'll just go shoot myself Cheers!
Hey Chris, just remember that NO problem is insurmountable - hell that's why the cosmos created solutions! No solution can exist without a problem, and we all love solutions, so I guess we gotta take problems as part of the package. BTW, if you do opt for shooting yourself, please use a .22 or BB gun, and make it a minor flesh wound, because we're all very interested in your solution to this problem. Besides, who would narrate your cool videos?!
Hey, thanks for the kind words Ron. Goodness knows, that's the first time I've laughed tonight and boy did i need it. I also find it fascinating that people find my videos cool. Informative I would hope so, but again, thank you. I promise to make more, and go easy on the narration, in the near future. Hopefully I will have a large order of track coming within a couple days, which will mean progress, which will mean my inevitable need to take more photos and make another update -_- Cheers!
It's like we used to say in the mold-making shop: "the difficult we do immediately, the impossible just takes a little longer..." BTW, which side of Tampa Bay do you call home - I'm in St. Pete. Cheers!
I'm located in the big ugly Tampa bit, right around where Busch Blvd turns into Gunn Highway. Moved here in June, used to live around 34th st. and 30th ave N in St Pete. Still work over there though-go figure.
Change! So things had slowed down recently due to a mix of things: full time at work, full time at school, and waiting for track to arrive in the mail so that I could finalize the plan on wood, and get the cork down. I had 'made up' Atlas' C55 curved turnouts in xtrk and so needed actual dimensions before committing cork to plywood. Thus, having found some spare time, cork for the lower level is 95% in place. I weighted all the individual panels in place, laid the cork, then when dry, cut the cork at the joints so I can still pull everything off for the time being. I still need to sand the shoulders, drill for feeders, drill for frog wires etc. Not quite sure where I'm going after that, but I'll figure it out In other news, finally made some alterations to the helix. Now that I know the helix will be affixed to the lower level, I felt comfortable making the cuts in the track so I can work on building the roadbed to the different ends, and having the whole thing ready for hookup when track goes down (In what I'm sure will be a furious frenzy lasting all of a day). Picture: Given that this is turning towards being a slow process I suspect it will be a week or two until I'm updating this again. Cheers!
Remarkable progress! I am putting together my first layout and it seems like I'm moving like molasses in January. I think I'll reread the entire thread before I ask how particular sections were done. Really looking forward to following along! Greg
Thank you for the kind words Please don't hesitate to ask questions-that's what I'm here for lol. So about that week or two till I update bit... yeah... no. Apparently my time management skills are far better than first thought, so there has been plenty of time for train related activities. The cork has been sanded smooth (what a difference!), feeder wires are in place (the overpriced ones that atlas makes because my soldering isn't that good yet) and today brought even more progress. Today was make a giant mess day-aka, the day I break the saws out again and make sawdust by the seeming bucket-full. So: I trimmed the roadbed along the river, cut the roadbed connecting the two sides behind the helix, cut the roadbed that connects each main to the helix, and cut the roadbed for the bridge and elevated level to the connection at the helix. Having done that, I laid almost all of the remaining cork. Chaos: Next steps: lay last bit of cork, sand cork, stand back and contemplate how I'm going to assemble my control panels. But that's another story for another post. Cheers for now folks-and remember-questions are welcomed and encouraged
I wouldn't be the only one to think that your time management skills are excellent! I could use some of that discipline. How do you avoid distractions so well? What is your secret?
As serious and morbid as it might sound, given that my big goal is graduating college, etc, I tend to contemplate what failure would look like in 5 or 10 years. This allows me to see what difference the extra effort now makes, and thus, motivation The only problem with this strategy is that when I'm not doing school work/at work I feel horribly unproductive even though (like right now) I'm at least one or two weeks ahead of the game. Still, pluses outweigh minuses.
*Sigh* So, while my time management may be excellent, my planning skills are apparently still a work in progress. Allow me to explain. This is what has occurred so far: Built Helix, Benchwork Legs, Benchwork Spine, Benchwork for Lower Level Laid roadbed for staging, installed staging track, tested staging Laid roadbed for transition tracks from staging to main level, installed cork & track, tested Installed risers, laid main level roadbed (including transition to helix), laid cork. Drilled for all feeders and frog wires, installed feeders to staging, located wires for main level track. Soldered frog wires to turnouts. And here is what has gone wrong, due to a lack of foresight: While construction is ongoing, I must be able to vacuum the staging area on a regular basis, given that it is exposed to the main level. However, I cannot lay track until all the roadbed panels are screwed in place, and once they are, it will be near impossible to vacuum the staging, which I will need to do during scenery construction. So no track laying until all the messy stuff is done (or at least until nothing can fall through to staging) And thus, there will be no track laying for the foreseeable future. However, today I went out, bought some blue foam (Lowes actually had 3/4" which was a surprise) and started building mountains. Unfortunately, they don't carry hardboard (seriously, wth?) so I need to make a stop at HD sometime soon so I can get to work on the fascia and the backdrop-thus giving me something to build my mountains up to. The short version of this is that it will probably-at best-be one month before trains run; at worst three to six months. *Sigh*. Oh well, at least mountain building is off to a good start (even though it may not look it lol) Onwards!
If I had a nickel for every time I thought I was in the clear, only to find out a major something had to be completed on my layout, well i would have a bunch of nickels. As you said, onward! Keep going, I really like what your doing here.
Having gone onwards... Funnily enough, progress is progressing somewhat more smoothly now that I don't know what I'm doing. (None of that is a typo) I decided to be done with any detailed plans and just sort of... go wherever my thoughts and fancy took me, so today I continued with tunnel building: I have to admit, I thought working with HDF would be a bit easier. Never the less, beats the heck out of bead board. In other news: Some of you may recognize this from my Nameless & Aimless-I intend for it to be a near carbon copy, given it was the one thing I wish I could have saved from that layout. Incidentally I've never used cardboard lattice either, so this should be an experience.
Hey, Chris, how did you cut the large radii in the pieces hugging the curves? They look to be really smooth. The terraforming is beginning to bring some perspective to the spaghetti - looking much better!
