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MarkF
Engineer
USA
9276 Posts |
 Posted - 06/12/2010 : 9:31:41 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Vagel Keller
One question: where do you plan to position the LP facsimile of Clarence Weaver with his movie camera?
Vagel
Thanks for your kind comments Vagel! I've made even more progress and will have to post some pics in the next day or two.
As for Clarence Weaver, that's a great idea! I'll have to research to find a man with a movie camera, or resort to altering a LP with one. That would be a classic!!! |
Mark
See my homepage at http://home.comcast.net/~prrndiv/
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MarkF
Engineer
USA
9276 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2010 : 12:59:34 AM
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Time for another update! More progress. No track yet, but I'm getting REAL close now!
Of course a lot of what I've been up to isn't real photographic. Things like finishing up the installation of buss wires and loconet wires. That's mostly complete.
In addition, Bruce and I cut up plywood and homasoate, laminating them together and cutting them into 34 sections that will make up the helix. These are done and being painted.
I've been busy installing roadbed as well. The most significant area completed so far is the Northumberland Yard area, which is now done and ready for track! This view shows the yard section. Also note the area set in that will be the 'operators desk' at Northumberland Yard.
Remember that 'bridge' section that Bruce made up and we installed nearly a year ago? Well, it's finally connected to the rest of the railroad! This section of benchwork heads towards the steps, around the landing, through the steps and onto the bridge section. Note that the lower level roadbed is nearly laying flat on the landing of the steps! When finished, this area will be enclosed in plexiglass in a bookshelf like unit to avoid stray feet from hitting the railroad!
And tonight, those helix pieces that I mentioned earlier are finally getting installed! Yes, tonight we actually started the helix! The first 'loop' of 4 1/2 loops is installed and ready for track.
The first order of business was to locate and drill holes in the base for the threaded rods that will support the helix.
We then assembled the first loop of the helix on the floor. This went together easily.
We then lifted the entire loop above the rods, lined up all the rods through the holes in the helix pieces and it dropped right into place! After that, we spent a considerable amount of time running the nuts up and down to secure the loop into the proper grade (2%).
Here is the man, the myth, the legend - SteamNut himself, in the middle of the helix with the first loop installed and ready for track. He is now pondering his next step!
So now all I have to do is finish painting the rest of the helix sections for Bruce and that should keep him busy for a few work nights. That will give me a chance to finish up the roadbed on the lower level and yes, begin laying some track!!! |
Mark
See my homepage at http://home.comcast.net/~prrndiv/
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Rick
Administrator
USA
17751 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2010 : 04:41:37 AM
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Mark, you're making nice steady progress.
Good to see Bruce is feeling better and back to work. |
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LVRALPH
Fireman
5431 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2010 : 06:06:08 AM
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"Here is the man, the myth, the legend"
Well, one out of three isn't bad. Seriously the boy is good. The way he works I thought trains would be running up the helix by now! |
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Steam Nut
Fireman
USA
1277 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2010 : 07:15:18 AM
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| I was wishing it was the last turn! |
Steam Lives! |
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snarlman
Fireman
USA
1396 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2010 : 09:16:53 AM
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Mark,
Its good to see progress, and both of you seem to be moving right along! Please post plenty of photos of the helix, it looks very interesting. Keep up the great work! |
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RonH56
Crew Chief
USA
828 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2010 : 2:21:19 PM
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| Track work is so close I bet you can smell the creosote!!! Looks like another big beauty of a layout in the making. |
"What the heck wuz that?!"
Ron Haviland
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dnhman
Fireman
USA
1049 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2010 : 2:46:43 PM
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Hey Mark how is the 1st helix level going to connect the plywood base that is shown in the photo? It looks like the helix wood is just laying on the base is there roadbed (1/2inch?) that will line up with the helix?
TIA |
Cheers!, Joe |
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Mike Hamer
Engineer
9347 Posts |
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hunter48820
Fireman
6024 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2010 : 4:22:54 PM
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It's looking great Mark. Very nice helix construction goin on!! I really look forward to your updates. Keep em coming!
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Best, Andy Keeney
Look out for #1, but don't step in #2! |
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MarkF
Engineer
USA
9276 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2010 : 8:10:24 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by dnhman
Hey Mark how is the 1st helix level going to connect the plywood base that is shown in the photo? It looks like the helix wood is just laying on the base is there roadbed (1/2inch?) that will line up with the helix?
TIA
Good question Joe! Actually, the bottom of the helix in the picture is about 1" off the plywood base. A straight section of roadbed will connect to that and run to the left, behind the wall. There will be two tracks on the helix; the Shamokin Secondary and the Wilkes-Barre branch. They will come off the main (to the left of the picture) at different places, enter through the wall and come together at the base of the helix. The grade going into the helix actually starts when the tracks go through the wall. We had to do this so that the tracks are at the proper elevation at the top of the helix where they come off.
I hope that answers your question. |
Mark
See my homepage at http://home.comcast.net/~prrndiv/
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MarkF
Engineer
USA
9276 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2010 : 8:13:26 PM
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Thanks for all the great comments guys! It keeps me going!
quote:
Originally posted by Mike Hamer
Hi Mark...boy, I can really sense the enthusiasm in your writing. It must be so exciting bringing your ideas to fruition with a great team of helpers all with super senses of humour!!! [:-apple][:-apple]
You hit the nail on the head Mike! Now that the benchwork phase is quickly coming to a close, it's easy to see how all the ideas in my head are coming together. Sometimes a layout of this size can be a bit overwhelming, but thanks to Bruce, Rick and a host of others encouraging me on, I manage to keep the pace.
As Ron said, I can smell the creosote!!! |
Mark
See my homepage at http://home.comcast.net/~prrndiv/
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LVRALPH
Fireman
5431 Posts |
Posted - 06/23/2010 : 06:23:38 AM
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| Can't wait to run trains! Hey I can't wait to run trains in my basement. A goal for both of us. A complete loop running in your basement and my CTC machine operating by Sept 30! |
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belg
Fireman
USA
4380 Posts |
Posted - 06/23/2010 : 07:45:30 AM
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| Mark and Bruce its great to see progress on the layout. Mark I think that Joe and I were wondering how the transition will be made down to the main table (benchwork) a long shim perhaps? Also is the helix made from 3/4 or thinner material and how are the ends joined? Pat |
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Steam Nut
Fireman
USA
1277 Posts |
Posted - 06/23/2010 : 10:02:55 AM
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| I think I will jump in here and tie up some loose ends, The helix is 1/2 plywood and 1/2 homasoate glued together. First you cut the plywood and homasoate on the table saw at 7 & 7/8's wide. [This gives you 6 leanths from a full sheet] Then lay the first strip on the floor and add glue then a strip of homasoate and stack on top. After you have them all done add lots of weight to the top of the stack and forget about it for about two days. After that all sections were cut on a 22 1/2 degree angle the holes for the rods were drilled and now you have a helix. We will have to post a shot of the bottom of a turn to show the joints are made with nail plates and screws. Once it is done and all tied together it is solid as a rock. The grade is 2%. |
Steam Lives! |
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Topic |
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Construction of the new PRR Northern Division
