Date: Mon, 03 Nov 2008 05:04:42 -0000
From: "Tom Osterdock"
Subject: live-steamers group
Guys the live-steamers yahoo group is now operational again.
Moderation is in full swing and spammers are being kicked out. All live steamers and those interested in live steam and invited to join.
You will be moderated until you post showing you are a live steamer.
Tom
Date: Mon, 03 Nov 2008 20:17:43 -0000
From: "John Oxlade"
Subject: Ken Swan 7.25" gauge Koppel
Back in January 2008 I asked about the Ken Swan rack locos. Well, I have jsut acquired a full set of drawings and articles from Engineering in Miniature covering the loco.
Andrew Gildersleve posted that he knew of two Koppels in New Zealand and though I emailed him the other day I have not had a response. Now he may be on holiday or something but just in case he's changed his email address, if you are reading this Andrew, can you drop me a line please? john.oxlade@gmail.com
I'd also be interested to hear from anyone else who has built one:
Are the castings still available?
Better still, are the patterns available? I am in New Zealand and can get castings made locally and shipping the patterns to me would be a lot cheaper.
Has anyone built one?
Did you go "by the book" or did you adapt the design to use the standardised rack specs developed by Balson in Switzerland: http://www.balson.ch/41767.html
Also, has anyone got the info on the adhesion-only 0-6-0 Koppel which uses many of the same components?
As always, any help would be appreciated.
John
Date: Thu, 6 Nov 2008 09:13:58 -0800 (PST)
From: George Erhart
Subject: Re: Re: Finished some more rolling stock,
Gerd,
I have been waiting patiently for Yahoo to make your uploaded photos available, but they seem to have lost them. Is there are chance you would be willing to try uploading them again?
Thanks,
George Erhart
Loveland, CO
Date: Sun, 09 Nov 2008 21:27:09 -0000
From: "Gerd Ziller"
Subject: Re: Finished some more rolling stock,
The pics shoud be up again in the photo section ;-)
Bye, Gerd
Date: Sun, 09 Nov 2008 21:35:53 -0000
From: "Gerd Ziller"
Subject: A Decker style log loader in 2"-scale under construction
Hello group,
the last day, I spend a week at home, working on my actual project, a Decker style log loader in 2"-scale.
The frame is made from steel (U-chanel, rec pipe and flatbar) while most of the super structure is made from wood. The loader is powered by hand cranks for the winches and a lever to sing the boom. This brings a lot of fun in playing with the laoder.
The frame features the typical track inside design of a Decker loader. Empty logcars can be pushed through the loader and loaded once at a time. As a logcar is loaded, the logtrain is shifted by a cable line so the next empty car will come out of the loader to the loading position.
Some pics of my model are uploaded to my photo-folder.
Boiler
Framed House
Loader
Handles
Loader
A clip of the loader in action (still under construction) can be found on youtube =>
Bye, Gerd
Date: Mon, 10 Nov 2008 11:15:40 +1300
From: "John Oxlade"
Subject: Re: A Decker style log loader in 2"-scale under construction
Cool, I like it. :-)
John
Date: Wed, 12 Nov 2008 12:00:09 -0800 (Pacific Standard Time)
From: "Boyd Butler"
Subject: Truck Side frames
Some time ago I bought several sets of side frame castings, these were iron from a fellow back east. He took down his web site and I lost his address. He had passenger side frames as well as Andrews and I think bettendorf. Does anyone remember this ad and can point me to the fellow? He had both castings and RTR trucks.
Thanks
Boyd still lost in the great northwest but watching the leaves blow around.
Date: Sun, 16 Nov 2008 23:48:33 -0000
From: "John Oxlade"
Subject: Whereabouts of Michael J. Guy, Toronto, Canada
I am intrigued by the info on Michael's website but it has not been updated in about 3 years now.
Date: Sun, 16 Nov 2008 19:18:10 -0500
From: Arno Martens
Subject: Re: Whereabouts of Michael J. Guy, Toronto, Canada
John,
Michael is _very_ active in
livesteamers@trains.uoregon.edu
modeleng-list@kepler-eng.com
steam_tech@yahoogroups.com
(maybe even on COALS
and even busier as "working" Vice-President of the impending Toronto Roundhouse Steam Museum.
Since I am CCing this to him I am sure he will surface somewhere.
--
Regards,
Arno
Date: Mon, 17 Nov 2008 13:30:09 +1300
From: "John Oxlade"
Subject: Re: Whereabouts of Michael J. Guy, Toronto, Canada
Cool. A friend and I are intrigued about building a small Garratt and would like to hear more about how Michael got on.
John
Date: Sun, 16 Nov 2008 19:48:34 -0500
From: Arno Martens
Subject: Re: Whereabouts of Michael J. Guy, Toronto, Canada
John,
I couldn't make it this weekend but I know he worked at the stalls at the Roundhouse Saturday and Sunday. His employ is not far from there and he often goes in during his lunch hour during the week and prepares and organises matters so that the weekend voluntairs can get to work.
With the City taking a very active interest this kind of mushroomed and his building some Diesels for expedience I think the Garrett unfortunately had to take a back seat for now.
Date: Mon, 17 Nov 2008 13:52:48 +1300
From: "John Oxlade"
Subject: Re: Whereabouts of Michael J. Guy, Toronto, Canada
If he wants to pop the Garratt in a padded envelope and send it over here I know it would be going to a good home! :-)
Thanks,
John
Date: Mon, 17 Nov 2008 02:57:51 -0000
From: "garrattguy"
Subject: Re: Whereabouts of Michael J. Guy, Toronto, Canada
Here I am ... what's all this about padded envelopes? It won't fit don't you know!
Anyone wanting to know why my Garratt loco is unfinished need only read Arno's post below and look at www.trha.ca/news.html to see the size of the distraction. John, if you have specific questions about the loco feel free to email me directly.
Cheers,
Michael Guy
Toronto.
Date: Mon, 17 Nov 2008 16:02:46 +1300
From: "John Oxlade"
Subject: Re: Re: Whereabouts of Michael J. Guy, Toronto, Canada
Hi Michael,
Glad all is well. I wonder sometimes when a website goes all quiet. It has been a good few years since I wasn in Toronto - 1982 actually.
We also have too many projects on our plates but once we get the current ones finished off I think a Garratt is on the cards. :-)
Will speak to my friend (another John) and see where we want to go with it.
All the best,
John
Date: Mon, 17 Nov 2008 08:33:47 -0800 (Pacific Standard Time)
From: "Boyd Butler"
Subject: Silicone Removal
Well the great silicone removal is just about over, I tried, MEK . Auto gas, airplane paint and skin stripper sanding grinding and scraping. I finally prevailed, bought new ones made by David Gehrke, his louvers are great much closer than those used by Rail Systems, much crisper punching and better spacing. I used EMD drawings for the size and spacing, there are three different door sizes on an SW7.
Now I can get on with the detailing of it and on to painting the to the track.
Boyd finally found my way in eastern Washington state.
Date: Mon, 17 Nov 2008 08:36:21 -0800 (Pacific Standard Time)
From: "Boyd Butler"
Subject: Train Mountain Rotary
Well just got word that the Rotary Snow Plow has been moved from down town Chiloquin to Train Mountain. It will be on Discovery Channel Mega Movers soon watch for the date and time.
Its been years coming and now we will be able to enjoy it at TM.
Boyd
Date: Tue, 18 Nov 2008 18:31:21 +1300
From: "Chris"
Subject: Pulling a train on Grades
Hi all - just finished a little experiment and thought you might be interested.
I bolted a fishermans set of scales between my locomotive and riding car - you know the little portable type that are spring operated and good for 25kg or so (55lbs roughly)
On a straight and level track it registered 4kg (9lb) , on my nominal grade 1 in 40 or 2.5% it registered 6kg (13lb), One short piece of track is actually more like 1 in 37, and it registered 8kg (17lb)
The tracks into the shed have a deliberate 1 in 33 (3%) grade - this was done so steamers could try out their boiler water levels before going off on the mainline. It doesn't register any different from the 1 in 37 - BUT there is a curve in that stretch and it registered 10kg (22lb)
Curves of equal radius on the lesser grades didn't have a noticeable impact. While the scales wouldn't win any prizes for precision, it does show that curvature has a compounding effect on steeper grades.
Why did I do this?
Because I now have both 5" and 7.25" gauges, I wanted to establish a rule of thumb that visiting locomotives can use to determine a safe load. Many club tracks here are very level and small locomotives can walk away with oversized loads, my goal is realistic operation on realistic grades, and that takes a whole different type of driving - irrespective of the size and shape of the locomotive.
Now, they need to measure all locos at next years Triennial.
--
Cheers,
Arno
Date: Wed, 19 Nov 2008 07:00:45 +1300
From: "Chris"
Subject: RE: Pulling a train on Grades
It stuck me that it would not be hard to fit a special dyno car out - a known weight and variable rolling resistance, (a.k.a. measureable brakes), with a converted loadcell out of a set of digital scales built into the
coupler.
It would be a really interesting exercise for anyone to find out something about the performance of their locomotive in various situations.
By The Way - I will be at Train Mountain next year. I look forward to meeting any others on this list planning on attending - be nice to shake the hand belonging to the email address!
Date: Tue, 18 Nov 2008 23:12:13 +0200
From: "Hannes Paling"
Subject: Re: Pulling a train on Grades
Hi Chris
Thanks for the interesting information derived from your experiment, may I ask a bit more info, what was the estimated weight, driver plus riding car, attached to the scale. Does your riding car have parallel or coned wheel treads and what type of bearings are used on the axles.
Thanks in advance
Hannes
Date: Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:00:48 +1300
From: "Chris"
Subject: RE: Pulling a train on Grades
Hi Hannes - It is the relative difference between straight and level and various grades that is the key. The beauty of this approach is it does not then matter if the car is light and easy to pull or heavy with square wheels
Date: Tue, 18 Nov 2008 18:37:50 -0500
From: Arno Martens
Subject: Re: Pulling a train on Grades
ISTR that when I was still subscribing to Model Engineer in the early '90s one UK club had built a dyno car, crammed with electronics and chart recorder.
Even though the Canadian Dollar is well below par to the USD again petrol around 83 ¢ per litre vs. $ 1.39 makes it look as if a lot of people on the [Livesteamers] and [ml] (model-eng.list) plan to go again. (A 9000 km round trip for me.) Amongst others you know, there may be Chuck Hackett, definitely Bruce Saylor. Russell from Perth told me that he made his Motel reservation months ago.
Ooops! I think Hubert also said he'd be there.
--
Regards,
Arno
Date: Tue, 18 Nov 2008 21:57:14 -0800
From: Veronica Merryfield
Subject: Re: Pulling a train on Grades
It would be a really interesting exercise for anyone to find out something about the performance of their locomotive in various situations.
It would. I would like to find some for design input but it is hard to come by.
By The Way - I will be at Train Mountain next year. I look forward to meeting any others on this list planning on attending - be nice to shake the hand belonging to the email address!
Just for the record, I plan to be there.
Veronica
Date: Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:08:56 +0100
From: "Hubert Wetekamp"
Subject: (Fwd) [Narrowgaugebuilders] Looking for information
Hello,
perhaps someone of our group can help Tom with the needed informations.
Greeting from Germany
Hubert The Goose
------- Forwarded message follows -------
From: "Tom"
To: Narrowgaugebuilders@yahoogroups.com
Date sent: Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:08:54 -0000
Subject: [Narrowgaugebuilders] Looking for information
Hello all,
I was wondering if anyone knows of and has had any experience with any small electric engins from Maxitrak Ltd. I have been looking around for this type of engine and can't find anyone here in the USA. I found them through a web search and the products appear to be of really good quality. Since I am on the other side of the pond I can't go and look at it first hand. Any info would be helpful.
Thanks for your time.
Tom
Date: Thu, 20 Nov 2008 20:03:47 +1300
From: "Chris"
Date: Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:43:51 -0000
From: "Gerd Ziller"
Subject: Battery powered steam locomotive ...
Hello all,
how do you think about battery powered steam locomotives in large scale?
I'll go to build a Shay on 5" track and can't decide between a small Class A Shay in live steam or a larger Class C (my favorite engine #15 of the West Side Lumber Co.) battery powered. The battery loco would be much cheaper and easier to build, because many parts can be made from plywood and planks.
So would do you think. Are battery steamer okay, or "very bad".
Looking throug the internet, I found some great steam locos, that very powered. An C-16 and also a Shay for example. Even here on this group, I found a Climax and Heisler.
Many thanks for your opinions,
Gerd
Date: Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:17:01 -0800
From: Matthew Mason
Subject: Re:[Narrowgaugebuilders] Looking for information
I have had two small Maxitrak engines in 1" scale and 2" scale and both were very good locomotives. I sold my narrow-gauge one to fund a steam loco purchase, but kept my older one. It is now been running for around 20 years. I have run it literally coast to coast (it flys in checked baggage on a plane) and have loved it. I had the lower gear and the high-speed gearing. The high-speed is pretty fast, but the low speed can pull great. I pulled two 7.5" gauge plain-bearing cars with it with a person in each regularly.
Date: Thu, 20 Nov 2008 17:31:57 -0000
From: "Hubert Wetekamp"
Subject: Re: Battery powered steam locomotive ...
Hello Gerd,
as you know, I'm a fan of battery powered engines and also hat dreamed about a battery powered steamer.
In 2000, during the IBSL-run, I had the chance to board a train, pulled by a 2.5" scale porter. This engine was build after the LGB-engine and also battery powered.
Than, at the last Triennial in 2006, their was a nice build C-16 in BumbleBee livery, which was battery-powered. They gave this engine a green tag, which every steamer has to attach to the engine, but only wrote "Battery powered, no steam" on it ;-)
And at least, our member Russ Wood is the west-coast distributor for the Great American Train Company and has one of that nice, battery powered moguls. Sadly, they are in 1.5" scale.
But remember, the german LiveSteamers are not very tolerant, and I think, they will not be very pleased with such an engine or will not allow to use their track.
Greetings from Germany
Hubert The Goose
Date: Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:55:42 -0500
From: "Pat Turner"
Date: Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:07:10 -0800
From: Phillip Cohen
Subject: Other builders of 3.75" Scale?
Are there any other suppliers of 3.75" scale 7.5" gauge steam locomotive kits out there other then RMI. I see Real Trains is working on one but that is way off in the future. Anyone know of another supplier?
Thanks,
Phil
Date: Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:26:40 +0000
From: Roy Stevens
Subject: RE: Battery powered locos
I have all the pieces for a 'Meg' but don't have the time (yet) or the skills (yet) to build it up live steam so it will be electric. No offense but I've found some members of TM to be a bit judgemental about such things, along with lack of detail and knowledge, not to mention small kids on their railroad. They won't kick you off the rails if you show up with an electric steamer but don't expect a warm reception either. I won't be traveling there with my family again anytime soon. Despite my wife's objections I will be traveling to the triennial without her or the kids, hope to meet many of you there. Maricopa is the place to be for a really great time with the family and a less-than-perfect train, hopefully we can make the spring meet next year.
Roy
Date: Thu, 20 Nov 2008 19:09:59 -0800
From: George Potter
Subject: Re: Battery powered steam locomotive ...
Hi Gerd,
The "real" question that you need to ask (or maybe actually answer for us on the list), is what do you want to do with the locomotive.
If you are thinking of an electrically powered loco, why not model an "electric"?
I've been curious about the electric steamers that have been popping up, and while (from an operational perspective), they are simple to run, start instantly, etc........
However, other than the fast startup, a real steamer can be pretty simple to operate (there are only 2 valves + throttle + reverse lever that need to be played with on my engine).
Your right about substitute materials on an electric vs steamer, however, if you pick the right prototype, a steamer (even a large sized one) does not need a lot of parts, or skill to build. (it mainly requires tenacity).
Now, to answer your question, another way, as having built a steamer, recognizing that it did take a lot of work, etc. I'd say, do whatever you feel comfortable with. Various folks will probably turn up their noses (and will I, but only if your sound system is louder than my steam engine) ...... if you get satisfaction from your model, that's the only criteria required.
If this is a stepping stone to "steam", even better (from my perspective).
It is more important to be part of the hobby, bring others into it, and have fun (I'm not sure how chopping wood, burning fingers, smelling like a barbeque could be considered "fun", but it is).
Good luck.
Regards,
George Potter
Placerville, California
Date: Thu, 20 Nov 2008 19:53:37 -0800
From: Veronica Merryfield
Subject: Re: Pulling a train on Grades
What is your test loco weight?
Veronica
Date: Fri, 21 Nov 2008 17:08:11 +1300
From: "Chris"
Subject: RE: Pulling a train on Grades
It's the little construction loco you can see in many photos on the website - approx 150 kg I guess
Date: Fri, 21 Nov 2008 08:34:31 +0200
From: "Johan Pretorius"
Subject: Re: Battery powered locos
Hi Roy,
This "judgemental" thing, you will find all over the world. In the majority of cases, you find your critic "Never built nor even own a loco."
The way I look at this type of person/s are with contempt. At least you know the loco built, were done by you, to your ability and it's owned by you.
Kind Regards.....keep it up.
Take care,
Johan Pretorius.
Date: Fri, 21 Nov 2008 08:54:13 -0000
From: "garrattguy"
Subject: Track in concrete?
Hi Folks,
I have to lay several hundred feet of 7-1/4" track set in concrete with the rail head essentially flush with the surface. Most of it will be subject to occasional road traffic up to transport truck weight.
If there is anyone on the list who has *actually done this*, may I ask what track construction method was used and what issues (if any) arose later? Thanks in advance.
Date: Fri, 21 Nov 2008 10:59:04 +0100
From: hubert@wetekamp.de
Subject: RE: Track in concrete?
Hello Michael,
I know, that at Train Mountain the railroad-crossings are in concrete. And around the main-station, their is a track crossing the main-road with a black surface (asphalte ??).
I think, their are Train Mountain members, who can tell you more about this.
Greetings from Germany
Hubert The Goose
Date: Fri, 21 Nov 2008 10:12:54 -0000
From: "Gerd Ziller"
Subject: Re: Battery powered steam locomotive ...
Hello George,
I'll try to explain, why I'm thinking about an E-steamer.
I still have a live steamed Forney in 2"-scale and know about the wounderfull feeling and the fun while riding a real steamer.
Now I'm on ths point, that I'm interested in a Shay on 5" gauge and are thinking about the power sorce.
Looking in realtiy, I doesn't nedd a secound steamer, because I'm out for running days only 6-8 times a year, so one single stemaer would be enough for me.
An intresting point of view is the different between Germany and the USA. As Hubert mentioned above, E-steamers are not very welcome in Germany. In the USA, they seem to be okay.
I think I should spend some more time by myself to find an answer.
Gerd
Date: Fri, 21 Nov 2008 07:55:55 -0800
From: Jerry Kimberlin
Subject: Re: Track in concrete?
We have 3 short spots at GGLS with track set in concrete. The only problem I have seen is that the space between the concrete and track gets filled with junk and derails wheels. I'd think some hundreds of feet would be difficult to keep free of rocks & dirt, unless someone is put on cleaning detail on every run day.
JerryK
Date: Fri, 21 Nov 2008 16:02:06 -0000
From: "Griffith, Ian"
Subject: RE: Track in concrete?
We laid track set in concrete at Rainsbrook Valley Railway Rugby, England. To overcome the problem of debris in the flange way we just set the concrete between the rails about 10mm lower so any debris could be brushed out readily or pushed aside by passing wheels of railway vehicles. The slight bump in the road was neither here nor there for road vehicles. Our rails were 25 x 12mm steel bar welded into panels and then set in about 150mm deep foundation slab. They have lasted about 25 years with no problems. But if you want to concrete a long stretch allow for expansion every so often or the concrete will crack.
Ian Griffith
Rugby England
Date: Fri, 21 Nov 2008 16:17:50 -0500
From: Garrattguy
Subject: Re: Track in concrete?
Ian,
What structure holds the rails within the concrete please? Rails are welded to what?
Ian,
As I remember it at LALS in California. We poured the concrete with a trough the width of the ties and as high as the railhead. Then set track sections right through the trough and then capped the ties with heavy rubber padding (ie old gravel pit convery belt material) screwed down to the ties. This allowed for service and/or replacement of worn rail and any debris fell in between the ties.
Good luck with the project,
Geoff
Date: Fri, 21 Nov 2008 21:03:26 -0800 (Pacific Standard Time)
From: "Boyd Butler"
Subject: Train Mountain With Great Sadness
Quentin Breen passed away this morning in the hospital after a very short stay, was just reading the email from his wife and nephew Greg.
His memory will live on forever in our hearts, the memory of him and his trains he so much loved and all of the people who came to enjoy his rail road.
We all owe a large debt of gratitude to him for his vision and of his dedication to the hobby.
I still remember the first time that I talked to him in about 1992 in the kitchen, I had no idea who this fellow in work clothing was but he was talking about his railroad and showed me a plan that I thought would never be. That plan now is almost complete.
Boyd Butler member Train Mountain
Date: Sat, 22 Nov 2008 20:27:33 +1300
From: "Chris"
Subject: RE: Track in concrete?
The track I have laid in concrete is also flat bar - I welded it to short lengths of reinforcing bar at 300mm intervals.
Date: Sat, 22 Nov 2008 09:40:26 -0000
From: "Hubert Wetekamp"
Subject: Re: Train Mountain With Great Sadness
I just got the message through Train Mountain (member since 2001), and I'm really shocked.
It's for me the second time in the past years, that a good friend / wellknown man passed away so short to the Triennial.
In 2003, I had the hope to meet my friend Rudy van Wingen a last time, but than he passed away on april 04, 2003. And now, 6.5 month ahead of the Triennial 2009, Quentin is gone.
I only met hime during the Triennials, but he was a really nice man.
I really will miss him.
Hubert The Goose
Werl, Germany
Train Mountain Member since 2001
Date: Sat, 22 Nov 2008 22:11:16 -0000
From: "garrattguy"
Subject: Re: Track in concrete?
Chris - and others who have responded offline, thanks for the data, much appreciated, the fog is beginning to clear.
Date: Sat, 22 Nov 2008 17:20:14 -0800
From: Veronica Merryfield
Subject: Fwd: A statement from Sharon Breen
originally send Fri, 21 Nov 2008 21:34:02 -0700
To our valued Members,
Greg Petersen and I, Sharon Breen, are letting you officially know of Quentin's passing at 2:30 A.M. this Friday morning November 21, 2008.
We are sorry to have not notified you sooner, but we were making arrangements today.
I admitted Quentin to the emergency room on this Wednesday noon, just To have him checked out as he wasn't feeling well, and had some new achiness in his chest.
After admission to the hospital, Quentin requested Greg's presence on Wednesday afternoon, and Greg, Myra and their son came quickly. He felt much better yesterday, and told Greg and Myra that they should go back
home. However, and fortunately, they stayed.
Suddenly, early this A.M., he went into respiratory distress, and then respiratory failure. Thankfully, his suffering was very brief.
As per Quentin's request, there will be a private family burial out of town.
He specifically requested a memorial service to be held at Train Mountain later. The details are still being arranged but it will be in the spring.
You will all be notified of the event.
As the Vice Presidents of Train Mountain, Greg and I wish to assure you That we are each committed to our valuable members, to Train Mountain itself, and to the future enjoyment of this great hobby on Quentin's superb creation. We will send you more information soon.
If you would like to send anything, (please no flowers), send to the Train Mountain address:
36941 S. Chiloquin Rd.
Chiloquin, OR 97624
With gratitude,
Greg & Sharon
Date: Sun, 23 Nov 2008 14:24:16 EST
From: douglasandcj@aol.com
Subject: Re: Track in concrete?
I had the opportunity to place a track in concrete but it was less than 60 Ft. long. The situation was the track was to cross a major thoroughfare at a old tractor museum grounds and it was also used as a parade route during festivals, and not all vehicles crossing the track would be rubber tired.
My back ground is with a major Class 1 railroad and I took a principle we used on unimportant crossings and applied it to the 7.5" gauge track crossing. We had sections of 90 pound rail left over from a display track we built for a full size locomotive and caboose, I used these sections of rail and turned them on their side and sat them as near vertical as I could with the base of the 90 pound rails now standing in for the running rails of the 7.5" gauge railroad. I built a metal frame work under and along side of these new running rails tying every thing together by welding. I made the framework about 3 feet tall. We excavated for the crossing about 3 feet deep, we then set the framework in the excavation at proper elevation and alignment, backfilled and compacted with crusher run rock until the excavation was about 10 inches deep. I tied a few long rebar's together for the length of the crossing and we poured concrete in the excavation. I made a screed to screed off the concrete.with a 1" X 1" block next to each 90 pound rail base creating an opening next to the standing rail for a flange way for our 7.5" trains and a shaped block on the out side to gouge out the concrete in the web of the 90 pound rail for other debris to be swept into and swept out.
The whole thing turned out very well, all kinds of rubber, steel and lugged equipment use the crossing and we only have to sweep out the flangeways when the parade is over or before we have a run day after a number of idle days of not running
Unfortunately the tractor group decided the railroad distracted from their glory and we dismantled the track but not before the crossing proved it's worth..
Please forward this message on to Sharon, and to all Train Mountain members, if you choose.
Even though we have all tried to mentally prepare ourselves through these past months for this possible sad outcome, it does not lessen the sorrow many of us feel.
I have always been amazed and fascinated with a very rare person who used his resources to, not only fulfill his passion, but to share his dream and creation with so many. So many of us have enjoyed many hours of fun and friendship, not only at Train Mountain, but also at many other live steam layouts throughout the world, thanks primarily to the vision of one man. His impact on the 1.5 inch scale model railroading hobby is truly immeasurable.
Sharon, our thoughts are with you.
Charlie Meinershagen
Date: Tue, 25 Nov 2008 08:51:56 -0000
From: "Griffith, Ian"
Subject: RE: Track in concrete?
The rails at Rainsbrook Valley Railway were simply fabricated into panels with stretcher bars at about 18 " centres. The stretcher bars overhung the track by about 6" each side of the rails. A few extra reinforcement bars were added along the length of the concrete strip.
That all there is to it. Very simple and very cheap.
Regards
Ian Griffith
Date: Tue, 25 Nov 2008 11:05:06 +0000
From: Phil Ashworth
Subject: RE: Track in concrete?
One trick used by builders when laying concrete slabs is to insert polystyrene strips in it to make an expansion break/gap. The polystyrene is then dissolved after the concrete has set with a dribble of petrol.
A sliver of polystyrene, say a ceiling tile would give you the gap for the flange.
Just a thought!
Phil Ashworth
Date: Wed, 26 Nov 2008 22:19:49 -0000
From: "John Oxlade"
Is there anyone in this neck of the woods who is thinking of going to the AALS Convention at the Castledare Miniature Railway in Perth over Easter 2009?
I am thinking of going but even from here it is a long way.
