Guilford Railman
Well-Known Member
That’s good to know. It will make everything much easier. Thanks!
Green Mountain Railroad Layout Build
- Thread starter Guilford Railman
- Start date
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I usually work better if I keep my workspace clean, otherwise it’s harder to focus.
Thank you
You do nice work. I too like a clean work area but my layout isn't as good lookin' as yours
Thanks you for that. You are very kind. And as I like to say, perhaps more kind than honest but I appreciate it
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traiNscale
Well-Known Member
i also cut mine from time to time. so far no problems.
Guilford Railman
Well-Known Member
I tried it today and it worked great!
Guilford Railman
Well-Known Member
Time for an update!
Most of the track work is complete.
To connect each module section I’ve opted for Model Tech Protrack Rail Aligners. I was planning on using the method I used on Rocky Valley of brass rods and tubes to latch the tracks together but wanted to try something new. You can also see I’ll be using their brand of power feeders as well. More on that later.
They worked great! The only issue I’ve had is that I had to correct the position of the interchange track on the foam track bed slightly off-center to accommodate the model tech aligner due to the 90 degree crossing. I needed to leave about 1 inch of rail between that and the start of the aligner to ensure I didn’t melt the plastic on the crossing when soldering.
One thing I haven’t done is soldered the engine house tracks yet as I am trying to decide if I want to keep the tracks in their original configuration or change it.
I didn’t think the track closest to the backdrop would fit but it does! However, I’ve come to discover that most if not all engine house kits won’t fit in that space with three tracks. I can scratch build one but I haven’t decided on that yet.
The only track section I need to complete is the mainline section between Bellows Falls and Chester. I needed to paint and weather the bridge and bridge deck, as well build my own bridge track with guard rails. I am waiting on some spray paint and supplies from Tamiya but this is what I have done so far.
The bridge looked better before but unfortunately when I used some clear coat from Tamiya, it left a white crispy layer on some of the bridge so I needed to touch it up. I think this happened because there was too much weathering powder on some
areas. Regardless, it was a learning experience and it still turned out okay
Once I get the bridge deck painted, I can weather it and glue the flex track rails and guard rails on and install the bridge onto the layout before moving forward with the last portions of the track. After that, I can begin the wiring!
Most of the track work is complete.
To connect each module section I’ve opted for Model Tech Protrack Rail Aligners. I was planning on using the method I used on Rocky Valley of brass rods and tubes to latch the tracks together but wanted to try something new. You can also see I’ll be using their brand of power feeders as well. More on that later.
They worked great! The only issue I’ve had is that I had to correct the position of the interchange track on the foam track bed slightly off-center to accommodate the model tech aligner due to the 90 degree crossing. I needed to leave about 1 inch of rail between that and the start of the aligner to ensure I didn’t melt the plastic on the crossing when soldering.
One thing I haven’t done is soldered the engine house tracks yet as I am trying to decide if I want to keep the tracks in their original configuration or change it.
I didn’t think the track closest to the backdrop would fit but it does! However, I’ve come to discover that most if not all engine house kits won’t fit in that space with three tracks. I can scratch build one but I haven’t decided on that yet.
The only track section I need to complete is the mainline section between Bellows Falls and Chester. I needed to paint and weather the bridge and bridge deck, as well build my own bridge track with guard rails. I am waiting on some spray paint and supplies from Tamiya but this is what I have done so far.
The bridge looked better before but unfortunately when I used some clear coat from Tamiya, it left a white crispy layer on some of the bridge so I needed to touch it up. I think this happened because there was too much weathering powder on some
areas. Regardless, it was a learning experience and it still turned out okay
Once I get the bridge deck painted, I can weather it and glue the flex track rails and guard rails on and install the bridge onto the layout before moving forward with the last portions of the track. After that, I can begin the wiring!
BigGRacing
Aka. Gary Russell
You asked about the intersecting track? I would curve it and go behind a building or trees.
Guilford Railman
Well-Known Member
The roadbed is already glued down so I can’t really change its position unless I destroy the roadbed and possibly the foam underneath since I used liquid nails for projects. I can probably use trees or a building to block the view tho!
Guilford Railman
Well-Known Member
Track work continues this weekend!
I managed to get the engine house tracks soldered together. In addition to that I also finished the bridge track. Here’s the before and after:
The bridge deck is painted with a camo brown that I will weather down with a variety of lighter colors. I didn’t like the results of the truss bridge so I’m reworking the weathering on that before I continue with the bridge project.
I’ve also nearly completed work on the lift gate.
I plan to place PCB ties on each end of the gaps on both sides of the gate to help keep the rails aligned and in gauge.
I also plan on using a pair of guardrails on the lift-up side of the gate to aid trains in crossing this portion of the gate as well. These aren’t glued down yet but will be after I finalize the track alignment.
Due to the S-curve arrangement of the track with straight sections across the gaps, and an approximate 1/8” gap between the rails, this allows the rails to bypass each other just enough and rest vertically when the lift gate is stowed in the upright position.
Another important consideration is the placement of the gate hinges. These are placed above the height of the rails themselves using added spacers which helps prevent the rails from hitting each other.
That’s all for this week. I’m hoping to wrap up track work tomorrow and begin planning wiring. I have decided that since 11 of the 14 Peco turnouts I have are unifrog, I will go ahead and wire them in using frog juicers. The other three will have to suffice as insulfrog. I plan to add Keepalives in my locos in the future anyways so hopefully this will overcome any insulfrog turnout issues.
I managed to get the engine house tracks soldered together. In addition to that I also finished the bridge track. Here’s the before and after:
The bridge deck is painted with a camo brown that I will weather down with a variety of lighter colors. I didn’t like the results of the truss bridge so I’m reworking the weathering on that before I continue with the bridge project.
I’ve also nearly completed work on the lift gate.
I plan to place PCB ties on each end of the gaps on both sides of the gate to help keep the rails aligned and in gauge.
I also plan on using a pair of guardrails on the lift-up side of the gate to aid trains in crossing this portion of the gate as well. These aren’t glued down yet but will be after I finalize the track alignment.
Due to the S-curve arrangement of the track with straight sections across the gaps, and an approximate 1/8” gap between the rails, this allows the rails to bypass each other just enough and rest vertically when the lift gate is stowed in the upright position.
Another important consideration is the placement of the gate hinges. These are placed above the height of the rails themselves using added spacers which helps prevent the rails from hitting each other.
That’s all for this week. I’m hoping to wrap up track work tomorrow and begin planning wiring. I have decided that since 11 of the 14 Peco turnouts I have are unifrog, I will go ahead and wire them in using frog juicers. The other three will have to suffice as insulfrog. I plan to add Keepalives in my locos in the future anyways so hopefully this will overcome any insulfrog turnout issues.
Guilford Railman
Well-Known Member
That makes two of us haha. I would like the gap to be a little less if it could be so I may try to adjust it if possible but we’ll see.
Guilford Railman
Well-Known Member
Here’s the update for this week!
I soldered 10” sections of 22 gauge wire to the Protrack power feeders, drilled holes into the foam and plywood, and placed them underneath the tracks. I haven’t soldered the power feeders to the rails themselves yet as I have a few other things I need to do first.
As you can see in the above photo, I’ve also run the 14 gauge bus wire through the modules.
I did have to cut the PVC sheath around the wires in certain areas adjacent to the feeders to provide access to the wires underneath so that I can use T-taps to connect the feeder wires to the bus.
I also installed the UTC NCE panel and RJ12 cable alongside the bus wire so I can run multiple throttles. I put the UTC panel where the primary NCE panel was and installed the primary panel in front of Bellows Falls Yard.
I wanted the panel closer to the corner where the interchange is but I only purchased a 12 ft RJ12 cable and the 25 Ft cable seemed like a bit much. Regardless, it will work just fine
Another project I worked on is widening the river between North Walpole yard and Bellows Falls yard.
I didn’t like the way it looked and felt widening it was the way to go.
Lastly, I think I’ve got the truss bridge where I want it! The bridge deck isn’t attached and needs weathering but here’s what it looks like.
I need to spray it with some dull cote but after that, it should be complete!
I’m waiting on a few items I ordered and I need to order a couple more to continue the wiring but I’m hoping this week I can get the frog juicers and feeders permanently installed.
I soldered 10” sections of 22 gauge wire to the Protrack power feeders, drilled holes into the foam and plywood, and placed them underneath the tracks. I haven’t soldered the power feeders to the rails themselves yet as I have a few other things I need to do first.
As you can see in the above photo, I’ve also run the 14 gauge bus wire through the modules.
I did have to cut the PVC sheath around the wires in certain areas adjacent to the feeders to provide access to the wires underneath so that I can use T-taps to connect the feeder wires to the bus.
I also installed the UTC NCE panel and RJ12 cable alongside the bus wire so I can run multiple throttles. I put the UTC panel where the primary NCE panel was and installed the primary panel in front of Bellows Falls Yard.
I wanted the panel closer to the corner where the interchange is but I only purchased a 12 ft RJ12 cable and the 25 Ft cable seemed like a bit much. Regardless, it will work just fine
Another project I worked on is widening the river between North Walpole yard and Bellows Falls yard.
I didn’t like the way it looked and felt widening it was the way to go.
Lastly, I think I’ve got the truss bridge where I want it! The bridge deck isn’t attached and needs weathering but here’s what it looks like.
I need to spray it with some dull cote but after that, it should be complete!
I’m waiting on a few items I ordered and I need to order a couple more to continue the wiring but I’m hoping this week I can get the frog juicers and feeders permanently installed.
Guilford Railman
Well-Known Member
Guilford Railman
Well-Known Member
Guilford Railman
Well-Known Member
Maybe I am and I just forgot that I was lol.
I usually work better if I keep my workspace clean, otherwise it’s harder to focus.
Thank you
PMW
Well-Known Member
Maybe I am and I just forgot that I was lol.
I usually work better if I keep my workspace clean, otherwise it’s harder to focus.
Thank you
You do nice work. I too like a clean work area but my layout isn't as good lookin' as yours
Guilford Railman
Well-Known Member
PMW
Well-Known Member
Thanks you for that. You are very kind. And as I like to say, perhaps more kind than honest but I appreciate it
Guilford Railman
Well-Known Member
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