Track upgrade for Sweethome Chicago

Jon Grant Apr 19, 2008

  1. Jon Grant

    Jon Grant TrainBoard Member

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    Now that the dust has settled after the London exhibition last month, I am now looking to realign some of the track and move several of the turnouts to improve operation at the West end of the layout.

    I also intend to reinstall the cassette fiddle yard behind the backscene to create a junction going north, halfway between the East and West yards.

    The modification will involve ripping up most of the trackage in the photos below, other than the siding with the freight cars on.

    Looking West

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    .................

    Jon
     
  2. Jon Grant

    Jon Grant TrainBoard Member

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    Looking East

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    I have already purchased the new turnouts and flexi track, although the speed and cost of this little enterprise depends on me lifting most of the existing turnouts in one piece.

    To be continued...


    Jon
     
  3. Jon Grant

    Jon Grant TrainBoard Member

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    I've just uploaded some video showing some of the affected area of track - watch out for the clips titled 'Looking East' and Looking West'

    [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4u2x6csSuk"]YouTube - Belt Railway 0-8-0 at Sweethome Chicago[/ame]


    Jon
     
  4. Lownen

    Lownen TrainBoard Member

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    I understand the need, but man I shudder to think of tearing up track on your beautiful layout.
     
  5. Flash Blackman

    Flash Blackman TrainBoard Member

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    Me, too. A least one nice street crossing there. I sure would dread it on my layout. It's a big job.

    OTOH, looking forward to the progress. If it makes it better, then good to do it.
     
  6. subwayaz

    subwayaz TrainBoard Member

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    Oh Bravo,, can you hear me clapping, an I am totally serious. Beautiful layout, and as the above post stated I can't see pulling that up of that beautiful layout. And the video was wonderfully done as well.
    Keep up the outstanding work, if you must. I think I would just want to marvel at the fruits of my labor:thumbs_up::thumbs_up::tb-cool:
     
  7. riverotter1948

    riverotter1948 TrainBoard Member

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    This seems like such a shame. Would you share the current "before" & planned "after" track plans to show your thinking about the needed improvements for operations? Given my layout's current condition, maybe I can learn something about the planning process...
     
  8. Wolfgang Dudler

    Wolfgang Dudler Passed away August 25, 2012 TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    Jon,
    where are your operation problems?
    Like riverotter1948 wrote, show us the now and later track plans. :angel:
    A picture tell me more than words. :angel:

    Wolfgang
     
  9. Jon Grant

    Jon Grant TrainBoard Member

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    I had my first attempt at Cadrail tonight to try show the different track plans. Flippin thing won't upload to Railimages as it's saved in the wrong format.

    Cunning plan 2 - I'll resort to 'Fagrail' - ie hand draw it on the back of a fag{cigarette) packet and scan it into the computer.

    I'll be back!


    Jon
     
  10. Lownen

    Lownen TrainBoard Member

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    I use screenshots of my RailModeller layouts when I need to post them.

    John; "fag" doesn't mean cigarette on this side of the Atlantic. I won't say what it does mean.

    Best!
     
  11. Jon Grant

    Jon Grant TrainBoard Member

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    Current and proposed track plans for the West Yard

    [​IMG]

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    The modifications are intended to keep as much of the switching away from the main running line to keep things moving.

    Jon
     
  12. Wolfgang Dudler

    Wolfgang Dudler Passed away August 25, 2012 TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    Yes, Jon, I think the new plan works better.
    The prototype would have used double switches in such a congested area too. And in your time maintenance was not so expensive like today.

    I guess, you will use Peco?

    Wolfgang
     
  13. Jon Grant

    Jon Grant TrainBoard Member

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    Yes, I have one new double slip and am hoping to lift the existing turnouts without damage, as they are still useable.

    I also fancy trying some of the new code 83 track for the sleepers/ties and will replace the code 83 rail with code 75.

    Jon
     
  14. Jon Grant

    Jon Grant TrainBoard Member

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    The work has commenced

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    Now to get the new track arrangement sorted out.

    Jon
     
  15. Flash Blackman

    Flash Blackman TrainBoard Member

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    Looks real, Jon. Just a few work crews and that's a real scene. I'm looking forward to the pictures. Thanks for posting these.
     
  16. Jon Grant

    Jon Grant TrainBoard Member

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    The destruction continued for a while longer - the heavy engineering plant and the scrap yard bore the brunt of the heavy-duty damage and a number of trees were felled and several buildings were demolished.

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    That about wraps up the demolition for now. Now to start on some reconstruction.

    Jon
     
  17. Jon Grant

    Jon Grant TrainBoard Member

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    After sanding the cork bed reasonably flat, I started cutting the track to suit and laying it loosely in position. This allows me to find any uneven or troublesome spots before actually fixing the trackwork down.

    It also allows me to mark the positions where I need to drill holes for the turnout motors and where to drill the holes for the brass screws at the board joints.

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    More to follow as I progress.

    Jon
     
  18. Lownen

    Lownen TrainBoard Member

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    Jon;

    You are the only one I know who can tear up track on your layout and it looks like a real-life scene with track torn up. I can't tell you how glad I am to see that magnificent layout is still magnificent. I look forward to the photos of the completed ballasting.

    Best!
     
  19. friscobob

    friscobob Staff Member

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    I see you're reusing turnouts- how much of the other track is new?

    Inasmuch as the demolition scenes almost made me cry (well, made me gasp), I like how the rebuild is going.

    Please, keep us posted!:thumbs_up:
     
  20. Jon Grant

    Jon Grant TrainBoard Member

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    I only managed to salvage two (out of 11) turnouts that I could be confident would not give me any grief if I re-used them. As it was, only one of them is actually getting used. The rest is new (Peco code 75)

    Jon
     

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