tooter goes big time...


tooter said:
Yes it is... and only the tie plates remain. So I have one for each tie. I'm starting to work on hunting up drive mechanism parts for the car...

IMG_5534.jpg
Click to expand...
No doubt you've already realised this but using the crank from a cheap bicycle would be perfect. If you wanted to get real fancy you could even mount the rear set of cogs + derailleur from a mountain bike to simulate notches and maximize your tractive effort! :D
 
TrinityJayOne said:
No doubt you've already realised this but using the crank from a cheap bicycle would be perfect. If you wanted to get real fancy you could even mount the rear set of cogs + derailleur from a mountain bike to simulate notches and maximize your tractive effort! :D
Click to expand...

Hi Jay, :)

We got you covered on that excellent idea... :)

A friend is concurrently working on a pedal powered vehicle while I'm working on a pull lever operated cart.

Greg
 
Artieiii said:
There had to be some sort of rope/pulley system to help cars down that hill...otherwise they never would have negotiated the curve at the bottom.
-Art
Click to expand...

Yep. This is an old logging railroad in the Pacific Northwest. There would have been a VERY large steam donkey engine at the top to pull the log cars (and an occasional locomotive) to the top of the grade.
 
Unfettered said:
Do you bend the rail for the curves or is it purchased pre-bent? And how do you cut it?
Click to expand...

The rails are prebent to the desired raduis. They run them through adjustable rollers. The steel is pretty stiff, and would be very difficult to bend by hand.

I cut it with this... :)

Milwaukee-6520-21.jpg


... a 12 amp orbital stroke Sawzall.

Greg
 
Here's the wye...

96af7041.jpg


It's about a #2... the smallest one they make. I don't have a lot of space so the smaller the better.
 
Wow you're really going to town on this one!
So looking at the rails I'm thinking there are inside and outside curved sections.
Are you staggering your joints or making panel track that can be moved later?
If it can be moved I need to know what time you get home from work.:D
 
Rico said:
Wow you're really going to town on this one!
So looking at the rails I'm thinking there are inside and outside curved sections.
Click to expand...

No, the curved rails are all the same, so everything is trim to fit.

Are you staggering your joints or making panel track that can be moved later?
Click to expand...

Everything will naturally end up being staggered just from the curves being the same length. The tracks are fitted by lossening the screws to allow one rail to slide in the ties till it meets up with the adjoining rail. Staggering does make for smoother transitions, even though it's more difficult.

If it can be moved I need to know what time you get home from work.:D
Click to expand...

Yeah, right... ;)

That's a dilemma... I like to move things around and try them out to see how they'll work, but the tracks are not move friendly. So I'm going to lay out single rails and let them lie for a while until I'm sure of the right of way, because final installation will involve a lot of excavation and grading as none of the yard comes anywhere close to being level... it just looks flat from up above. ;)

769f23d9.jpg


Greg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Put the flat car on the tracks for the first time...

6df5356e.jpg


2564c026.jpg


It feels and sounds like a real railroad when you roll around on it. :)
 
No, the axles roll on precision sealed roller bearings. There are box lids on the trucks like the real ones but they don't actually open.
 
The undercarriage on the little pull car is all done...

20fd9a5c.jpg


The spring retainers are in and trusses between the axles are installed. The drive mechanism is awaiting parts on order. The drive roller on the pull handle will tension the chain. Next, will be to build a seat which will also serve as a MOW toolbox for carrying rail assembling tools and hardware.
 
I've also been hard pressed to find time to work on the railroad, Dad. And the size of the model hasn't had much effect on that. :eek:

I'm hoping to be able to get some more rail down over the holiday weekend.:)

Greg
 
Let's hope you do I can't wait to see more pics! These railroads are soo much fun to see and this is pretty much the only time I get to see them!
 
Be happy to... :)
I'll also post videos here when there's enough track to run a car. the man who sold me the rails and ties told me that there's a lot of the enjoyment in building the railroad, and I'm finding that to be true.

I've been totally taken in by this little bit of "real world reailroad" experience... planning the right of way, the feel of the heavy steel rails, attaching the ties, bolting the rail section plates together, designing and building a rail vehicle, the clackity clack of the steel wheels rolling over the joints of the tracks. It's all quite a profound experience, and I'm revelling in it.:)

Greg
 
Even though hardly any track is down and the cart is half done, I just couldn't resist playing around on it... :)

[YOUTUBE]Mc19X49_pcE[/YOUTUBE]

[YOUTUBE]gfk3UJue_Sg[/YOUTUBE]

It's a total riot riding on the cart! Like a little rollercoaster. :)
 
Hey, we have progress!
Quite the grade as you mentioned, maybe you need a curved trestle?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.



Back
Top