My backyard expansion MAY be on track again! Placed an order earlier today, for 2 boxes on the much needed 10 foot Diameter curve track!! Got 2 boxes, for the cost of one! Got a 50% off Email from Aristo Craft the other day!! Just got word, on order conformation!! Now, I'll believe that when track arrives!
A quick check with Dad tonight, says Aristo Craft track will be here Wednesday. At least now, I'll be ale to finish my loop in back. Whether I have enough straight track to finish getting me to the back is another story! Right now anyway, my biggest concern has been taken care of! Looks to be just warm enough later in the week, that I might be able to temporarily layout the remaining parts of the layout! At least get a feel for what I'm gonna need to bet still.
He gets half finished, then three feet of snow comes down and buries the whole project for the next six months. Argh. Anticipation?
IF I can get track down, even temporary, I'd be happy!!! If it snows after I get stuff down, I won't care! As long as I can still run a plow train in the snow, I'm happy in that manner. Despite the fact that I do NOT like snow!! Like I stated, at least I have my biggest concern out of the way, I have the curves I need. Sent out SSDI stuff, again. So, I'm hoping for SSDI benefits at some point. Next time, I'm talking to a lawyer!! So, when I'm ready to finish expanding, I'll have income of some sort!!
The great news is, my curve track actually arrived today! Now, if weather isn't too bad, and my back doesn't act up TOO severe, I should be able to get a basic idea of how I'm going to connect to the back! Photos, maybe, as I get things laid out.
Slim possibility of snow Sunday night. going to be decent for the next 2-3 days. For now anyway! Have not heard any amounts though.
I've been in the South for far too long. I can't imagine that much snow as a normal part of the weather cycle. This is easily the best time of year to build for me. Glad you got the track you needed. Sounds like it's going to be good one. Rick H.
Unfortunately, intense pain in my lower back prevents me from doing much of anything right now! The slightest twist, bend etc...sets things off. And when it goes, I can NOT walk without major pain/problems. And all I did was set up and line up my telescope 4 days ago! I just hope I'm in good shape, for train show in a month! I'll see what I'm able to do, and try to get a photo or two. NOT gonna guarantee anything these days!!
Well, things worked out decent, as my back actually allowed me to get about 45 minutes of work in today. Was able to finish getting the incomplete curve in front laid out, got the reverse section laid out. Have 1 curve to cut to fit. Got siding laid out. The other section of the curve I cut to fit, will finish the siding nicely!! Then, I still have a few sections of straight track that will need to be cut to fit. If I can get my loop in back down, I'll be able to get a general idea of where things are gonna go and what additional work I'll need to do. Not sure if I want a solid straight line to the back, or if I want to put in an "S" curve to help break things up a bit! A long passing siding WILL be added so I can run 2 trains between front and back. With weather coming in over the weekend, I'm not sure what, if anything, I'll be able to do tomorrow. Will definitely get photos of what's been done to this point. Who knows, I MAY set up and run a short train as well. Just because I want to!! Anyway, quite satisfied with how things have turned out so far!
No track work today. Stayed in bed for a while, after I woke up. Just laid in bed, with heat on my back! Was getting colder anyway, and wind was picking up pretty good! But, I did get out and grab a few photos of the new track in place. You wanted photos, I have a few!! New track in place. Bright curves are the new track and is my eventual connection to the back yard. Headed to the back. The new curve, connected to a siding towards the back. Proper alignment still needed. Curve from left center, top upper right, is my other connection to the back yard. When connected, it will create a reverse loop. Upper curve is part of a siding. Looking down the siding. Yes, track IS there, just buried yet, didn't get leaves fully swept out. Section of curve needs to be cut to fit. Now, it's going to be a matter of how much straight track am I going to require, to complete layout expansion. Won't be doing anything with it for a couple of days. Until it warms up again!! Possible snow tonight and/or tomorrow. Maybe by Monday or Tuesday.
Well, the leaves DID cause me major fits, the last time I tried to run a plow train! Constant derails, because the leaves kept building up in front and under the plow. Gotta make sure track is clear of leaves, before it does snow enough to permit a plow train! Guess a little work is better than nothing at all.
NIce work, Keith! How does one clean the tracks in an outdoor layout? I figure a shop vac would end up pulling the ballast, dirt from under the tracks and everything else. Just a corn broom?
I find that a regular kitchen broom works fine. Want something somewhat stiff. Nothing too soft, or you can't clean up! Nothing too stiff, as it may chew up ballast work. And simple elbow grease on turnouts. To clean the rails, as needed, I use a drywall sander on an expandable painting pole. And using drywall sanding screen Light pressure. Takes me a couple of minutes. Have a rail cleaner that supposed to fit under a car, with abrasive wheels to scrub the railhead. Mounting screw came undone, truck springs exploded!! Car ended up derailing any/everywhere!! Gotta find a new car, or find replacement truck springs. Depending on Monday, I may try and get out and do some track work. Gotta go BACK to Boulder, to pick up a B/W photo print. Ordered 2, went to pick them up today, and they were nice enough to do ONE. So, Shall see what happens......
Between Mom and I, we used a leaf blower/sucker to pick up stuff around the yard in general, and around the railroad. Using the blower, there might not have been much left! For the most part, a kitchen broom seems to work the best. Of course, IF it were inside.........
For the enjoyment? of others, a few quick videos of action today! Was decent this afternoon, until the sun went down, then it started getting downright cold!! And yes, the new sections of track were test tried!! It ran. It leaned to one side, BAD! NOT gonna do that again, until I can add material under the track to at least hold it up until I can get it leveled out right. Then, I can try to figure out HOW to install a couple of girder bridges, to cross over roof downspout drainage. Some live action fro the day: [video=youtube;6hLSh4F-Uww]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hLSh4F-Uww[/video] [video=youtube;nB_frQtashs]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nB_frQtashs[/video] [video=youtube;juWe24nd2Rk]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juWe24nd2Rk[/video]
