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Rehab My Railroad: Episode 10
Great Episode. Cody has a band-aid on his finger while using a razor blade. Must be a story behind that. I am in the process of building my layout and almost at the point where I need to install a lift gate. the one in this episode will be perfect for mine. Thanks!
Chuck, we all dread the thought of tearing our layout down but if you were to start completely over what changes would you make when building the new layout?
Question from Canada…what is denatured alcohol?
I really enjoy the Rehab my railroad. You guys do a great job on this. Thanks
How long does it take the MR staff to set up and film an Episode of Rehab My Railroad?
Hi David,
from listening to the drill you used on the concrete floor, it sounded like a normal drill without a hammer function (but I may be wrong - was it a hammer drill?). When drilling concrete you should always use a hammer drill (and wear hearing protection). Also you don’t need special screws, just use rawl plugs and a normal wood screw.
Cody one suggestion - you could have beveled the underside of the grade crossing which is much quicker that taking off part of the molded spike head detail from the ties.
But yet again, an excellent episode. I just love Drews humor!!!
Monday morning and I found a new episode of “Rehab My Railroad” on the site! Nice episode. I liked the lift gate construction. I don’t need one yet, but any future expansion of my layout will have to be via a lift gate or duck under (getting too old for those!). I could sympathize with Chuck at the demolition of the lake front. Last night I just “deconstructed” a long-standing hillside to clear some new track work. It takes a moment to get the saw out and slice into a scene. Thanks for another fun episode. I enjoy watching the little comments that show that you guys are having fun and it’s not just dead serious all the time.
Great job on this series. I am especially enjoying the swing down gate build since am planning to add one to my new layout as well. Watching David build it is very helpful and informative. If you could add a PDF file to this video or the next (when he completes the project), that includes specific instructions and dimensions, that would help even more.
It’s hard to tell from the video, but it looks like both ends of the bridge are square/flush with the benchwork at each end. if the pivot point of the swing is below the track board, how do you keep the free end from binding at the track on the way down? A close up of what you did at the free end and how it was designed would also help make that clear.
Hey Chuck, did that lift up section ever worked in the last 5 years? Or did you glued it down by accident? Because when David took it apart, it might had worked.
Another great episode. How about modeling a “Whistling Straits” hole or two behind the rail by Lake Michigan? Looking forward to seeing Madison back together. Go Badgers!!!
Do Drew, Cody and David have a personal layout? If so what do they look like?
The hinged bridge to replace a duck-under is a truly great idea ! 
Chuck, Drew, has the plan to make this exactly as in the video appeared in a past MR magazine, and if so which one? Thanks, Nigel
When you install the cardboard “ribbing” for the rock face, if you fold the bottom tab away from you, it is still easy to hot glue but you can bring the scenery right down to “ground level” and not have to cover the ends of the strips w/sculptamold. Same holds true for gluing under the track sub-board. Much cleaner and easier to finish the landscaping.
Hey Drew and Chuck … you could send some of that rain out to San Francisco! Good info again.
David…could you go into a bit more detail on the drop gate as to how you lined it up so the gate is level with both sides of the opening? Thanks Dan
Are you adding electrical jumpers at the swing points for the pivot arm? How are you going to maintain an electrical contact threw swing arm?
The layout looks great.
Ken Petkau from Saskatchewan
Great video as usual!
I agree with David Young from Idaho. It would be great to have a pdf of the steps involved in building this swing down gate.
A suggestion for Dean Purcell from Canada - is methylated spirits available in Canada - well that is the equivalent stuff in the UK, although it has an unpleasant smell to make it unpleasant to drink.
For Nigel village and others: A very detailed article on how to construct the lift gate in available in the July 1990 issue of Model Railroader on page 78. Back issues are available for the princely sum of $2.95. Stay tuned for future episodes where David will get into further detail on wiring the gate. Its really cool stuff.