Benchwork - Roadbed
Lift Bridge/Gate at the LA & Pasadena RR
Following my yesterday's update on the layout progress here are some photos of the lift-bridge/gate. I was originally considering a swing-gate but for my particular application a lift-bridge/gate proved more easy/reliable as a solution.
I was concerned initially with how trains would track on this and potential alignment issues. A lot of effort has been put into making the benchwork adjacent to the gate as solid as possible (one end is a peninsula...).
In the end it operates as it should with zero problems so far.
Thanks in advance for stopping by!
LA, Pasadena & Cucamonga RR: Roadbed, & Tracks installed
Hi all,
A long overdue update on the Pasadena RR. Some progress have been made and in this post i am covering laying down cork roadbed and tracks.
The roadbed is made out of 5mm cork sheets, depending on application the sheets have been cut to strips or laid in other rectangular shapes. Everything has been glued down with construction adhesive (similar to the no-nails glue) which was spread with a trowel.
Tracks are Peco code 83 flextrack with #6. #7 and #8 turnouts for the mainline and some #5 at a few industrial sidings.
Turnout Control via Servos through Thick Roadbed - Question
Hi folks,
I'm getting close to finishing up a crossover at the west end of Circleville, which means my mind is turning - perhaps belatedly - to turnout control.
My preference is to use servos, and for this installation, I'll probably purchase from a vendor to keep the learning curve a little less steep.
5 Minute Enhancements
What are the quick things you can do to improve your layout or the layout room?
Salt River Valley crew change point/yard - A hidden staging yard out in the open. The SRV Yard project.
Salt River Valley crew change point/yard - A hidden staging yard out in the open.
The SRV Yard project.
With the expansion of the GS&M I was able to gain a lot of extra space. The problem is the GS&M was built to fit into its 12'x 20' space. At this time what is the PHX end staging is now reached via a Huge Helix down to the bottom staging level for all the shared staging on the layout (PHX - North & TUC - South).
Helix Pieces have arrived.
As part of my new layout here in Emo, I decided to add a helix and create a double deck layout. As of yet I don’t have a workshop to do any specialized cutting so cutting helix sectors was on hold.
Question about the use of extruded foam board insulation on benchwork
I've been following posts regarding the use of XPS foam on layouts. Some of the comments mentioned that the material releases small amounts of gas and that it shrinks somewhat. Is this a long term issue or does it only occur shortly after it's made? The Owens Corning web site mentions that their product has a linear shrinkage value of 2% max. That translates to 1.92" over the 8' span. Has anyone experienced anything like this?
Foam Noise, Again
Perhaps beating a nearly or hopefully dead horse, would one inch pink foam supported by open grid benchwork without any other plywood/hardboard or similar support under it and with either cork or homasote roadbed affixed to the one inch pink foam with Matte Medium or similar "soft" adhesive be "quiet" or would the dreaded "foam drum" or similar noise still be present?
Bart Chasley
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