[:D]I got all the grass up and layed the track down to get an idea where it is going. I measured the slopes I have to deal with. The front left of my layout is a 6 inch rise over 15 ft. (Just under 4% grade if I did it right) and goes to 4 inches over 15 ft on the front right of layout. I started laying rock around where I have to build it up. mainly the front of the layout. I am going to go with a more natural look. I plan on digging dirt from the back and brining it to the front to fill in the grade. That way I can use the back as cliffs. Eventually I plan on putting one or two turnouts in. That all depends if I can come up with the money. Here are some pics. As I get going it will make more sence
Here is the layout with the track down
The start of the wall. It is going to be one more stack on top of smaller stone. I am going to take the dirt from the back and bring it forward. This is to get the gade around 15 or less.
If I read you correctly you are planning to reduce that 4% grade using fill? Sounds like a good plan, and looks like a good start from the pictures (please keep them coming showing your progess).
What method of track laying / subroadbed method have you decided upon? Also you might want to check drainage as you go, making sure that any “fills” you create will allow rain water to flow downhill (as it usually likes to) without creating a dam (and/or potentially washing away your work and roadbed). Think of a heavy downpour where a lot of water falls in a short tme - can it drain away from your layout quickly… Some folks use strategically placed dry stream beds, culverts, etc with trestles, bridges etc as required to make a path for occasional water drainage at the lowest corners or sides of the layout.
Hi Snwshoe, looks good keep the any climb in track level under 3% if you can it saves wheel slip if you are hauling a long train. Keep at it its worth the graft[:)] and the better weather should be coming to all of us. Snow here in the UK
It sure is nice having more daylight now. After work today I got to do a little more to my wall and built one drainage so far. This one will act as a drainage and a real stream bed. Im going to have a trestle go over the stream bed. Eventually I am going to put some cribbing to level it. The other side am going to do the same except the wall be lower and I am going to put another dry stream bad for drainage. Here is a picture of my latest progress.
For a roadbed I am going to dig a trench a few inches deep and then put the crusher fines in. This should do the trick I hope.
Be sure to line the trench with some weedblock fabric, not so much to block weeds but to keep your roadbed ballast from sinking 1/2way to China in the soil [:O][;)]
I second Vic’s offering. No one gave me that warning and half my stones are now about half way there. You can now say the hard part is done. You gained the right of way, and appropriate terrain alongside for future growth. Like most of us, I’m sure yours will grow a little at a time, as funding becomes available, and scenic decisions are made. Looking forward to seing more photos as you empire grows.
I got my wall finished and leveled the area out. I plan on giving it a week or so to let all the dirt settle and then I will see where things stand. After that I will lay the track back down and outline where the track will lay. Then I will start digging my trench for balast and add the tunnel. I think the next hardest part is going to level the track. Never did this before so I hope it goes all as planed.
Weather had not been nice, rainy and cold. I ordered my one turnout I plan on using for my mine/logging operation. This monday I plan on getting some top soil for my layout, then I have to figure were to bury my hose for my creek and pond then I will get the track started. Hopefully the weather starts to improve. I was also thinking of adding a swamp or bog to the layout. Still have to figure out how to do that and make it look real. But I have some time for that.
I have the next two days off, Im hopping to get some landscaping done. I got a load of top soil and some hose for my water fetures. My turnout shouldbe coming in the mail any day. Then I will be able to start laying down some track. I also got great deals on Dwarf Alberta spruce $7 for 2-3ft tall trees. I picked up 5 for now and probably in the next few weeks I will pick up a bunch more. Cant beat that price. got them at Lowes. Will post some more pics of my progress when the rain stops
It looks like you’re off to a good start on the Tin Kitty Line. I’m a bit envious of your soil, it looks very nice. The stuff in this area is a rocky to sandy red clay (like red concrete). Spring time is always great to pick up 1 gallon size shrubs at the home box stores (I just picked up a bunch). $7 is about half of what I pay at my “wholesale” nurseries.
Thanks, I got very lucky with the spot I chose. My house sits in an old farm field. I guess years of plowing took the rocks up. My area has some of the rockiest terrain on the east coast. At least all the Appalachain trail hikers who hike the trail say this. NE PA has us beat but we come a close second. But where their are no rocks the soil is nice to work with in these parts.
The rain stopped finally. I was able to get a little more work done. I started building my mountain/ridge. The picture below is the front of the ridge. When done it will extend to the back with a tunnel running through the back part. As it goes further back it will get a little higher. To the right is going to be a ravine with a creek. Eventually I plan on putting a fire tower on the back part of the mt (highest Point). Next step is to get some track down so I can get an idea where to build the tunnel. Once the tunnel is built I will build it up to form the rest of the mountain. I may need another load oftop soil. I also picked up a few more Dwarf Alberta spruce and some Dwarf boxwoods. Boxwoods were 5 and change and the spruce 7 bucks. Cant beat that price.
What are you going to use to make the tunnel? How long will it be? In my layout I have a short tunnel just in case I have to rescue a train but after a year now I have never had to. I was amazed how a tunnel adds to a layout…changes the pitch of sound as the train enters and exits.
Like Charles, I too will freely give my two cents on tunnels. In my case the tunnel makes a 90-degree turn (8-ft dia.) inside the tunnel. My tunnel is under the waterfall for the Koi pond. Here are a few hints.
Ensure tunnel is level, or has continuos even grade.
Ensure tunnel portals are higher than surrounding ground.
Keep distances down to within arm length, or arm length plus gripper. (Gripper = those reach extenders, generally plastic about two feet long, pistol grip on one end, clamping claw on other.) If you cannot reach it, that is where it will fall off the tracks. If you desire a longer tunnel, then put in a hatch or two. Go to Home Depot, Lowes, etc. in the lawn sprinkler supplies for an underground box.
Install some form of piped drainage inside the tunnel. Water WILL find a way to lay around inside the tunnel.
Solder (or use rail clamps) all rail joints inside the tunnel, to ensure proper rail alignment.
Like Charles I too, think that a tunnel adds another dimension to the garden empire. My tunnel has been in position now for just over 4 years. The only incident in the tunnel was a collision with a sleeping dog. I am a firm believer in “overdesigning” tunnels so as to prevent future disasters.
As of now I have I plan on using these paver blocka for the sides. they are aboyt an inch thick but large./ I want to put half of the paver stone into the ground. Then I have paver stones that are a little wider than the track. This I plan on putting down under the track. Then along the sides of the pavers will be stone for water to go into. This should take care of the drainage problem. It is going to be about an arm length long maybe a little less. I will try to post some pics of the materials.
Right on ttrigg. I followed all those rules and no problems…ttrig, you may have been the one to advised me!
I used pressure treated lumber to form a box …elevated it on some pavers so it won’t lay flat on the ground to rot and covered it with rocks. Drainage is the key.
I havent been able to get much work done outside, been a typical Northeast spring, cold, damp misty weather. The only good thing about the weather is it gives my soil I added a chance to pack down nice. I have been trying to figure the best (cheapest) way to connect my rails. I am using the screws Aristo provides but I also wanted to solder jumper wires. One thing I learned is a can not solder if my life depended on it. Thanks to tangerine-jack who had a great way to do jumpers on the track. Using the screws that holds the ties to the track underneath, I make a loop at each end of the wire. then I slip the wire loop ends under the plastic tie. Then I put the screw through the loop and screw it into the rail. Why did I not think of that. Works out great. Only difference is I did not solder the loops. The loops I made seemed fairly secure. At least I have something to do until the weather clears up. Tomorrow looks like I nice day and I am off. going to start on my tunnel. Here is a pic of my jumpers.
Well the sun fiinally came out and it got real nice outside. I started work on my tunnel. So far it is coming out nice. Here is what I got so far.
Im using cinderblocks and paver stones for the roadbed through the tunnel. I might keep the paverstones as the roadbed. I may end up just using stones. Stone might help drainage better. Will see when I get a good rain storm. It works great I burried the cinder blocks in the ground a few inches and then fill the holes on top with stone and soil.
This is the tunnel with the roof. I had some nice large paverstones to use as the roof and another layer of cinder blocks. Again I will fill the holes in the cinder blocks with stone/soil. On top I will put plastic down to help keep moister/water out. Then I will put stone and rock on top to form a mountain.
This is a close up. I have some nice rock shaped like bricks with a nice texture to it. I will face the outside of the tunnel with those. This will close in the entrance of the tunnel to look more realistic. The tunnel is about 13inches high.
Taken a break from my tunnel construction. I started digging my trench for my water line. Going to feed the stream I am going to build. Not sure exactly how I am going to do this but probably use cement for my stream and bubling spring. Is there a special type of cement I should use. What is the best approach. I want to avoid plastic liners for the stream. It is hard to get them to look natrual. Any thoughts?
