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Track & Bridges
Making Turnouts For The First Time
I have never made a turnout for a model railway in any scale. I haven't hand laid any track other than sectional track, Flex-track, and prefab turnouts. That being said, I have come to make my very first large scale #6 turnouts.
Sep 21, 2011 - 7:00:00 AM
My Hack Job At The 2010 Spring ECLSTS
There is an Ice Cream company that runs an ad "What would you do for a K......e Bar? This story, from the East Coast Large Scale Train Show, is titled "What would you do for a piece of track?"
Apr 7, 2010 - 9:00:00 AM
Simple Auto Switch Control - with Video
I wanted to address two issues before I get thawed out. First was the control of the new Aristocraft Large Radius Turnout installed just south of the Yard at Ranger Ridge. The second issue is being able to visualize from the Control Shed, the turnout at Ranger Ridge and the second new Large Radius Turnout installed at the interchange of the mainline and shortline. Come see the simple solution.
Jan 27, 2010 - 10:06:00 AM
You Can Build a Warrren Truss Bridge
After finishing the area between Bellefontaine and Muncie on my indoor railroad, I found I needed a second highway bridge to extend the one that Mike Tylick built for me in that area. I spent a few days looking for a truss bridge that would fit into the 30- inch space that I had for the bridge. I found some examples in both books, but not exactly what I had in mind.
Feb 18, 2009 - 10:00:00 AM
How to Build a Trestle Using Michael's Custom Woodworking Bent Jig
I will show you in this article how to build a small 12" high and 48" long curved trestle using LGB 18000 radius track for this example. (any brand track will work with the exception of flex track which I have not tried). With the large bent jig you can build any size trestle up to 4 ft tall. At the end of this article I will show you a 4 ft tall x 52 ft long trestle that I built using this same method as described here.
Feb 11, 2009 - 10:00:00 AM
Dremel: How to Fix Broken Track.
We were going to need to cut out and replace a section of track and there were also some gaps in the track that needed to be touched up as well. Our problem was our old battery power Dremel tool had died.
Aug 20, 2008 - 9:00:00 AM
Using Code 332 Track on your Railroad?
I doubt it. (Article/Video)
When I started off in the world of Large Scale Trains 15 years ago I learned that I had many decisions to make. The scale of trains was not all the same. The couplers were not all the same. The track was not all the same. Come read how the Code 332 track on your railroad may not be Code 332.
Aug 13, 2008 - 10:00:00 AM
Build a Simple Switch Indicator
Our project for this "How to" article, is going to be making a target indicator, which will have two blades, mounted on a brass post, that will slip into the hole that holds the lantern provided in the Aristo manual right and left hand switches.
Jul 9, 2008 - 10:00:00 AM
Trestle Design Considerations
Learn about the design and construction ideas that should be considered in building outdoor G scale trestles. These considerations apply to abstracting original prototype designs into practical, durable, functional outdoor wooden trestles for G scale.
Apr 16, 2008 - 10:00:00 AM
Constructing a Helix for the Mystic Mountain Railroad
The Mystic Mountain Railroad was expanding into mountainous country. In order to expand into a side yard the RR would have to gain at least 30 inches of elevation in 45 ft. a 5.5% grade, twice my maximum of 2.5-2.7%. Even that would only give me 17" above ground level at the far end of the mountain division. To create the high bridges and deep canyons I wanted would require an additional 3 feet of elevation gain.
Mar 19, 2008 - 10:00:00 AM
Switching for Fun and Cheap Too!
I'm sure most on this site have seen the movie "Emperor of the North". I have, about fifty times! I'm also sure that most would agree that one of the better parts of that film is when the 'fast mail' is coming and the old Mike has to get to 'the junction' in time to avoid a high speed head on collision. I like that part so much that I decided to replicate that scenario on my railroad.
Jan 30, 2008 - 10:00:00 AM
Another type of "Hardware Store" roadbed.
I've read on LSOL.com about all kinds of road bed materials used on different railroads in varying parts of the world and thought I would offer up the system I came up with for my very low budget venture into G gauge railroading.
Oct 24, 2007 - 10:00:00 AM
A Very Large Train Table
I wanted a way to run big, long, expensive trains outdoors at top speed, with minimum risk. I am not much of a gardener or a modeler, but I can design things. My layout satisfies my requirements and also uses some materials and techniques that you may find interesting.
Oct 10, 2007 - 10:00:00 AM
Improving Aristo Craft Wide Radius Turnouts
Out of the box my Aristo Craft Wide Radius stainless steel turnouts were troublesome, so I developed some low-tech fixes.
Aug 29, 2007 - 10:00:00 AM
ProjectX - Making Switches: One way to cut ties.
Since in this Project X we are building switches from scratch we will need cross ties, or sleepers if you prefer. Since some of us may not have ever made scale lumber with a table saw before, I thought I would explain how that is done as it relates to this project.
Jul 25, 2007 - 9:00:00 AM
Track Prices: A Different Perspective
Track price is THE big topic of discussion since Aristo-Craft and USA Trains announced the dramatic increase of their Brass and Stainless Steel Track.
Jul 25, 2007 - 8:03:00 AM
Bridging the Gap for Cheap
I live on an island in the Puget Sound hence a run down to the corner hobby shop is not an option. Now, of course a hardware store isn't going to have a Large Scale Garden Train bridge but it might just have the raw materials needed for me to make something that looks like a train bridge.
Jul 18, 2007 - 10:00:00 AM
EXCLUSIVE: A NEW ROADBED ALTERNATIVE
For several months I have experimented with this idea and have tried numerous ideas on cutting, joining, and drilling this plastic down spout and have reached a point where I can share my ideas with you. I do not think you will find an easier, faster, cheaper way to get your track on the ground, or up in the air using one product.
Jul 4, 2007 - 10:00:00 AM
Aristo-Craft "Y" Switch Review - with VIDEO
After much speculation and a rather long wait the new Aristo-Craft Y Switch arrived last week. From our first impression it was worth the wait.
May 23, 2007 - 10:00:00 AM
Quick and Easy Track Risers
I was building a mountain using white Styrofoam, so after experimenting a bit came up with a quick solution.
Apr 25, 2007 - 6:00:00 AM
Casting Concrete Abutments
Part II
As I ended Part I, the mold for the abutments had been filled with the Vinyl patching concrete and the mold was shaken with the saber saw minus the blade to remove the air bubbles. We had left it to cure for a day. This was where things got interesting.
Feb 28, 2007 - 10:00:00 AM
Casting Concrete Abutments - Part I
While I am no expert on pouring concrete into molds, at least I can share with you what I have done and what success I have had with it, in spite of my inexperience. I started off with a desire to add a second circle of track to my layout. Since I wanted it to go under the existing tracks there was a need for bridges and, of course, bridge abutments.
Jul 26, 2006 - 3:16:00 AM
Installing Bridges and Piers for the GC&E - Part 2
Garden Metal Models (GMM) makes a deck/walkway kit for its metal deck girder bridges. The kit comes with enough material to do a 1-foot length of bridge they also make a double kit with enough for 2 feet of bridge.
Jun 28, 2006 - 8:07:00 AM
Installing Bridges and Piers for the GC&E - Part 1
Two years ago when we rebuilt a large portion of the GC&E I wanted a dramatic bridge crossing to pass over the track and a new stream we added to the layout.
Jun 21, 2006 - 8:01:00 AM
Modular Trestle Construction - Part 2
Having visited a number of garden railroads, I heard some common refrains from several of those who had built trestles. One was keep the trestle out of water or wet soil, for the obvious reasons.
May 10, 2006 - 7:31:00 AM
Modular Trestle Construction - Part 1
How many hobbies can you blame on your spouse? My wife is an avid gardener and she has toured many beautiful places including the Chicago Botanic Gardens.
May 3, 2006 - 12:34:00 AM
PVC Piping for Winter Time Protection
After the second bout I got to thinking how can I prevent or get rid of this annoying freezing rain.
Jan 4, 2006 - 1:31:00 AM
Making Wooden Track
I don't know if you're like me, but I built 225 plus feet of shelf space for storage for my engines and rolling stock. And of course you have to have track to set them on.
Nov 23, 2005 - 7:15:00 AM
Making a Stationary Test Track
I bought some stationary rollers so I could bench test my engines. I have been thinking of ways to do this that would work for more than just one type of engine.
Nov 2, 2005 - 3:43:00 AM
An Inexpensive Girder Truss Deck Bridge
Our hobby has a tendency to become very expensive. I look for ways to reduce any of the costs without sacrificing realism.
Oct 19, 2005 - 2:55:00 AM
Product Preview: LGB Roadbed System
What is LGB Roadbed? The roadbed sections are made from UV-resistant, natural rubber.
Jun 22, 2005 - 7:03:00 AM
Building a Set of Stub Points
This type of points is by far the easiest for the home builder to construct.
Jun 8, 2005 - 8:59:00 AM
Aristo-Craft Turnout Motors Outside-In
Sometime ago I was retrofitting several Aristo-Craft Turnout Motor assemblies ...
Jun 1, 2005 - 6:07:00 AM
Use Your Socks to Clean the Track!
Until the other day when I was buying socks of all things....
Feb 16, 2005 - 1:00:00 AM
Simplified Trestle Bent Construction
Remembering the time consumed by the construction of the earlier bents I experimented a bit and came up with an efficient method of fabrication that is described below.
Nov 24, 2004 - 6:09:00 AM
Building Concrete Bridges
After investigating the concrete bridges on the Illinois Central (now CN) Railroad, many of them clear spanned the stream they crossed. I decided that this would be the kind of bridges that I would build and use.
Sep 22, 2004 - 8:16:00 AM
Put One Here Turnouts - Part 1
One of the biggest problems that you are likely to face as a railway modeller is when the extension bug hits you and you start looking at where to put all of that extra track.
Jul 14, 2004 - 4:05:00 AM
Railbending Track: Is it really as hard as they all say?
I think one of the things I did wrong with my Garden Railway was to do too much reading and not enough doing.
Jun 21, 2004 - 10:54:00 AM
Turnout Guard Rail Repair
One of the most aggravating things that happens during train operations is when you have a derailment while running thru a turnout.
Dec 3, 2003 - 10:58:00 AM
RailClamps Demystified
Lately folks, who have been in this hobby for a long time, are asking me this question. More than ever before are asking it. Perhaps the one word response is "Continuity".
Nov 26, 2003 - 9:21:00 PM
"Big Guys" Roadbed
I wanted to go with something of a prototypical ballasted roadbed so the rails would be allowed to expand and contract with out tearing out anchoring devices. My reasoning was, "The big guys do it this way because it works."
Apr 23, 2003 - 2:21:00 PM
Dealing with frost heave in a Canadian garden layout
It has taken about 5 months, many pond side meetings with experts and non-experts alike for me to realize that this was no simple matter.
Feb 18, 2003 - 10:45:00 PM
Hand MadeTrack -- Faster!
After reading the current material on spiking rail it seems that the most common tool is the inimitable needle-nose pliers. The problem, the way it seems to me, in using them is twofold:
Jul 20, 2002 - 3:01:00 PM
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