Hi, I am a retired service member and my back, knees, etc. are not very good. What is the best recommended manner in elevating the entire layout so one will not have to get down on the ground for maintenace, placing cars on etc.? 4x4 posts or other fencing posts better?? Thanks, Barry
Welcome aboard. On my own railroad I’ve built planters using retaining wall blocks, Caswell is what Lowe’s call them in Califoria and Nevada. They wiegh 27 pounds each and come in a number of colors. I’ve also know of railroaders that used 3" or 4" pvc drain pipe for posts, they don’t rot. They bolted 2x4 redwood stringers to the pvc pipe used used planting under to look like forest etc. Now days I’d look into Terx, etc. for stringers to reducing rot.
I hope this helps, good luck and have fun.
Rob
There is no best way but many good ways to go.
Club members helping another with a raised layout -
Thanks for the awesome pics guys. Thats why I posted the question here because I knew there would be great answers.
Now, next question; If I am using AMS 332 flex track, do I need to invest in a track bender?
There are only two reasons I can think of to buy/beg/borrow/build a rail bender. 1) If you want to avoid kinks in the rail, get one. 2) If you want to prevent derailments on the curves, get one. OH! and just one more Have Fun!
From what I have heard from other’s experiences with the AMS 332 is you can belly bend large curves but anything 10 foot diameter or smaller you should use a rail bender.
-Brian
Alt. Can we get a picture of you “belly bending” [:D]
Toad
Often a GRS will have a rail bender to check out. I’m kind of isolated on the east slope of the Sierra Nevada. I use Aristo sectional track. I like it because it comes in a wide number of curves, it screws together and it’s easy to replace when deer get tangled in a section.
I’m not sure of your railroad background, but I offer the following advise. Use the largest dia. curves where ever you can. Don’t limit yourself to one standard dia. In my case I wanted a minimum dia. of ten feet. I had to settle for an eight foot curve at one place, however most of my curves are twenty foot dia. I limit my grades to 2.5%, I like long trains, steep grades, 3 and 4%, can limit your operation.
Rob
As for track bender suggestion from me is what I have.
here: http://www.cocry.com/
Used to be a open nice train site to get a rail bender from. Not sure what happen.
Toad
<<quote user=“ToadFrog&WhiteLightn”]
Alt. Can we get a picture of you “belly bending” [:D]
Toad
[/quote>>
Sorry no more belly bending for me since I got a Train-Li bender !
http://train-li-usa.com/store/product_reviews.php?products_id=31
-Brian
Honorable Trigg, where existeth plans for such a railbender?
Les
Les, local bank has wherewithal to enable Train-li to send you a sample of the finest trackbender you will ever need.
Seriously, I wouldn’t mess with anything else, it bends both tracks at the same time and keeps them perfectly in gauge while doing it.
Brian, Now that’s a beautiful raised layout. Very nice work.
I too share the track bender with Capt. Bob. This thing is a dream. I just put down 180 of 5’ straights, bent to fit wherever I wanted the track to go. It is actually fun, laying track wherever you need it to go on the ground. Very easy with the bender.
Paul
long view of the layout. It is 300 feet of track so far.
shown is the 6 foot steel bridge and view from opposite side as last shot. Initial elevating and rough laying of track. I am using 6’ sections of 332 AMS flex for most of the layout.
how about the slideshow version -
http://s342.photobucket.com/albums/o431/RunTheTown/?albumview=slideshow
-Brian
Thanks for getting that working for me Brian. Ha! I am just back inside from out there working on it. Sweaty and mosquito bitten as it is still around 90 degrees here.
I would still be out there but my neck is hurting especially after the “micro radio wave ablation” I recieved on Friday. Man did that ever hurt. Needles all the way to the spine is NEVER fun. Anyway, thanks again Brian.
Hi to all. I have finally set the last screw in the initial layout. I ran my shay on it in reverse, all went well.(remember it binds in forward). I also ran my little Santa Fe switcher all the way around and took some video of that. I am uploading it now into photobucket. Will hopefully get it posted up soon(hint hint to Brian to help. Ha!) Hope you all had great rail days this weekend. We have been in 100-105 here. Barry
Thanks Brian.
Any comments?