Spline roadbed

I am starting the trackwork to Ophir following the completion of trackwork in Rico.  I am trying out a new technique to make the spline roadbed.  This was suggested to me via email from Steve Hatch, of Railway Engineering.  This method is faster to construct, and I find that it is easier for me to keep the splines and blocks aligned crossways than in the method I used before.

As before, I cut splines from scrap lauan plywood.  I cut the strips 3/4" wide, rather than 1/2" as I did previously.  The thicker splines were chosen to match up with the 3/4" plywood base used for Rico.  I then squared up a piece of leftover 2"x2" pine, as used for legs on the layout, such that it was exactly 1.5" square.  The legs were carefully crosscut on my table saw into pieces 3/4" long.  These were laminated between the two 3/4" splines, and glued in place with Titebond III Ultimate Wood Glue.  This glue is waterproof, which is an important consideration, since delamination of the roadbed while installing scenery would not be a good thing!  The width of the completed spline roadbed is an exact match for the Cascade Rail Supply milled Homasote roadbed.  It still requires a lot of clamps to construct the roadbed!

Initial installation of the spline roadbed.  The outside spline was simply clamped to the existing 3/4" plywood roadbed.  The roadbed will be trimmed, and aligned with the track centerline.

The spline roadbed with about half of the spacer blocks glued in place.

Question:  How many clamps does it take to build spline roadbed?  Answer:  All of them!

A closeup view of the spline roadbed.  The roadbed will be sanded smooth prior to installation of the Cascade Rail Supply milled Homasote roadbed.

A closer view of the completed spline roadbed.

The spline roadbed sanded and with the track centerline marked.  The milled Homasote roadbed will be installed using the marked centerline. 

On To Rico

I have just completed laying track into Rico on my version of the Rio Grande Southern Railroad.  The majority of the trackwork was fitted onto a piece of 3/4" plywood 12 1/2 inches wide by 8 feet long.  Adjacent to this is my version of the Pro Patria Mill.  This was scratchbuilt by me, and resided on my previous layout.  Fortunately, I was able to relocate it to my new home, and I completed the model with the addition of the truck dump, and associated support structures.

As with the rest of the layout, the trackwork consists of Micro Engineering Code 55 Flex Track.  I scratchbuilt the nine turnouts using Fast Tracks fixtures.  All turnouts are Number 6.  One turnout, behind the depot, will connect the Enterprise Branch to Rico.  I anticipate much operating potential arising from the inclusion of the Enterprise Branch.  All trackwork is installed onto Cascade Rail Supply Homasote Roadbed.  All turnouts are powered by Tortoise switch machines, and are controlled by Berrett Hill Trains Touch Toggles.

 Because of space constraints, my version of Rico does not include the engine servicing facilities located at the prototype.  However, I believe that the flavor of Rico is captured, and much operation should be possible at this location.  I will be interested to see how the scale track works into the operating scheme!

Next up:  Ophir!

The first train to Rico leaving the Coke Ovens and approaching Rico.  The 3/4" plywood roadbed is clearly seen.

The East end of Rico.  The yellow building to the left is the scale house, which has its own track.

The Pro Patria Mill at the West end of Rico.

An overall view of the town of Rico.  The station under construction is a Raggs...to Riches kit.  I built it to this stage in order to check clearances within Rico.

The first train to Rico, powered by RGS 461, enters Rico.  The locomotive is a Blackstone Models K-27.

The train is stopped at the Rico station.

Mudhen 461 is on the mainline headed toward what will be Ophir.

Mudhen 461 is on the siding which will service the Rico Power and Light facility, and a commercial coal bin.

Coke Ovens

I recently installed a set of Coke Ovens near the wye at Dolores.  The Coke Ovens were made many years ago by Trains of Texas, and were located near Durango on my old layout.  I was able to salvage this industry from the old railroad when I dismantled it, and now I have another switching location on the new RGS layout.

I installed the Coke Ovens with two sidings, with a total capacity of 14 cars.  Both turnouts are powered using Tortoise switch machines, controlled by Touch Toggles.

Coke Ovens installed on the Rio Grande Southern.  Two No. 6 turnouts lead from the RGS mainline in the lower right corner to the Coke Ovens.

A closer view of the Coke Ovens.  Note that no scenery has been put in place yet.  The scenery is from the old layout.

Three Clear Creek Models Hi-Side Gondolas spotted at the Coke Ovens.  The dump truck is a Jordan Highway Miniatures Mack dump truck.

An overall view of the Coke Ovens.

Turntable control using DCC

Recently, the turntable controller for the Durango turntable failed.  I purchased the New York Railway Supply PTC III about 25 years ago.  Unfortunately, after 25 years of flawless service, the controller failed.   Because parts are not available, I needed a new way to control the turntable.

I decided to try controlling the turntable using a Switchmaster slow motion turnout machine and a spare Lenz DCC motor-only controller.  The photos below show how I adapted the existing motor mount for use with the Switchmaster motor.  I did turn an adapter using my Unimat lathe to connect the 1/8" motor shaft to the 1/4" turntable shaft.

I am pleased with the results of my adaptation.  I do miss the automatic indexing, but have found that aligning the turntable to the lead tracks is not as difficult as I anticipated.  One advantage is that I can reverse the table at any time, and I can adjust the speed of the table.

Overall view of the Switchmaster slow motion motor.  The slotted aluminum angle is part of the original PTC III mounting kit.  I drilled two holes to mount the Switchmaster motor.  The motor is mounted to the aluminum angle with #6-32 x 1" machine screws and nuts.  The entire assembly is mounted to the layout with lengths of all-thread and knurled thumb nuts.  The height of the bridge can be fine-tuned by adjusting the knurled nuts on the all-thread which secure the mount to the layout.

A closer view showing the Lenz decoder installation.  The gray and orange decoder wires are soldered to the motor leads, and the black and red decoder wires are connected to the track bus wires.  The decoder is secured to the motor using Kapton tape.  Mounting the motor to the aluminum angle required two screws and six nuts.

A closer view of the adapter used to connect the 1/8" motor shaft to the 1/4" turntable shaft.  The adapter was turned from aluminum rod.  It has a 1/8' hole in the bottom, and a 1/4" shaft at the top, which enters the existing coupling.

Placerville Depot completed

I have finished the Placerville Depot, as described two posts ago.  As I mentioned previously, this is a laser-cut kit by Narrow Gauge Colorado.

Front view of the completed Placerville Depot.  The roofing material is laser-cut.  I applied a light, uneven application of D&RGW Trim Brown, Engine Black, Mud, and Platinum Mist to the sheets of shingles prior to installation.  This gives a weathered appearance to the shingles.

View of the Placerville Depot roof showing the weathered effect achieved by lightly spraying the shingles with four colors of paint prior to installation.

Latest Track Plan

The track plan for the Rio Grande Southern Railroad continues to evolve.  One of my main goals is to provide many opportunities for operation.  This is a facet of the hobby that I have enjoyed more every time I have the chance to operate on a model railroad.

In this current iteration of the track plan, note that the return loop at Ridgway has been eliminated.  Therefore, this railroad will have a point-to-loop design, and will be operated as a point-to-point railroad.  Two branches are not shown on the current plan:  1.  the Telluride Branch, leaving Vance Junction and curving around past Ridgway; and 2.  the Enterprise Branch, which will leave Rico and curve around on a second deck above Dolores.  The prototype Enterprise Branch was a switchback line, with several mines and a mill, which will provide many operating possibilities.  It is also a branch I have not seen modeled often.

Rio Grande Southern Railroad, v2.5.  Track from Dolores  to Ridgway is subject to change.  Note that the Enterprise and Telluride Branches are not shown.

Placerville Depot

I have begun construction of the Placerville Depot.  This kit is produced by Narrow Gauge Colorado, and consists of laser cut parts, stripwood, clear plastic window material, and laser cut roofing.  I painted the model with Star-brand paints, available from PBL, specifically D&RGW Trim Brown and D&RGW Jersey Cream.  Aleene's Tacky Glue was used for most construction.  The photos below show my progress on construction.

Step 1.  I began construction by building the platform.  This consists of laser cut parts that interlock together. Once the planking was stained with Hunterline Creosote, it was glued to the framework.

Step 2.  The laser cut matboard framework was assembled.

Another view of the assembled framework.

Step 3.  The walls were completed prior to assembly.  I started by painting the walls and windows with Star-brand D&RGW Trim Brown.  Once the Brown was dry, it was masked using 3M Blue Painters Tape.  Star-brand D&RGW Jersey Cream was then applied to the upper wall surfaces.  The assembled windows were then installed in the walls while flat.

Step 4.  I began assembly with this wall.

Step 5.  The second wall was added.

Step 6.  The front wall of the bump-out was added.

Step 7.  The left wall was added.

An additional view of step 7.

Step 8.  The right hand wall was added.

An additional view of Step 8.

Step 9.  The two end walls were added.

Step 10.  The rear wall was added.

Step 11.  The building was attached to the previously completed platform assembly.

Step 12.  The main roof panels were added to the depot.

Another view of Step 12.

 Roofing will be discussed in the next post.