Really nice work. Makes me wonder why I brought in like 100 tons of dirt. I think thats the method I should have done here up north. Maybe if I expand, I’ll use that on the next section. I Gotta start on the first section someday!!!
Thanks enginear. Lot harder to start then to actually do it. Ha! I am still looking at about 300-400 feet of aluminum track in the garage and about another 40 feet of brass flex track. Since I have the turnouts positioned, now I can start the “inner layout” that will be criss crossing throughout the elevated layout.
I just called the utility companies and had them mark all the lines in my yard and then I knew exactly where I could pound in my PVC pipe. Barry
I used 3 inch pvc pipe. I used a table saw to cut the pipe in half. It fits the track perfectly. I used to cut off "T"s on top of the supports.
NowI use a 3 inch hole saw drill in a drill press. I made a jig to hold two unions end to end. I cut out the 3 inch hold in the middle of the two unions.
My layout has been up for 7 years.
One 10ft section of 3 inch PVC pipe is about $3.00 that makes 20 ft run, unions are about $1.00.
I fastened the runners to the support and the track ties to the runners with 5/8 #4 stainless steel screws. I purchased them from “Fastenal” for a very large box for $10.00. I used one of those hand powered push auto screw drivers. I used a dremmel tool to predrill all the holes [I think 3/16].
Well I just found out something.
You can not delete the photos from “photobuckets”.
I just decided to clean out my unwanted photos.
When I pulled this forum up. My photo is missing.
I just reposted the photo into Photobuckets
Barry,
What type of wood did you use and how far are the stakes?
Toad
Toad I used pvc pipe to elevate the track support at about 4-5 feet apart pounded into the ground 18-24" or so. The track bedding or support material is actually pvc decking called “Trex” that I bought at Lowe’s home improvement stores for like $29 a board. I ripped them down to about 1/2" wide so it bends side to side but not up and down. Barry
Looks great Spike. My wife still don’t understand why mine is elevated. HAHAHAHAHA Barry
Check out my new post. It might be just what you need for ideas. I, too, am retired from service with a few body parts that don’t work as well as they did when I was 18. Been there, done that with 2 layouts that were on the ground. Way too hard to maintain. I’ll be posting as things develope. I hope to be able to run something on the shed and first portions soon. The complete 2 track loop is going to take a while. I’m looking at about 100ft each mainline and a total of around 300ft when done. There are several years of research and planning going into this layout so I hope I did my homework right.
1- I wish I had the backyard space you have!! (maybe best I don’t as I would want more train stuff)
2- RE: Trex- any issues on Trex sagging in the heat yet? I’ve read about it in other postings. Maybe since your posts/supports are 18" apart you won’t see any sagging?
JH
Hi Jim, no sagging. My supports are 18" HIGH and are spread apart about 5 feet. Still no sagging. Right now I have added another 200 feet which branches off the mainline and it is elevated at 9" high. So far, so good. We will see how it all weathers the winter. Barry
Hi Barry,Using the PVC/Trex idea I am well into a 100 ft., over-and-under double circle layout. After a little experimentation I decided that PVC supports every 20" was best for me. I’m using pressure treated wood as spacers. My highest point is 14". I plan to add trestles under the higher elevations and dirt/ballast where the stringers are low to the ground. So far, so good. Hope to have track down soon. Jim