Model Railroads

Page 2

The Beginner Railroad Gets Bigger

With the success of the first phase of the railroad, a second phase was installed.

Above – August, 2008 – Since the Garden Boss had indicated that she would be interested in having the railroad extended south (toward the camera), plans were made and material purchased.

Above – May 4, 2009 – A track plan was roughed out (note the missing pieces near the stepping stones).

Above – May 4, 2009 – The roughed out plan looking south.

Above – May 4, 2009 – The new 90^o crossover plan. Originally a trestle was considered but getting something done in this decade became a priority, so the crossover was used. We sure do like the trestle idea, though.

Above – May 4, 2009 – The original loop stays the same, except for the crossover accommodation. The new loop follows the original rule-breaking ideas of too many curves and too many joints.

Above – May 19, 2009 – The missing pieces were purchased, modified as required, the rock border raised and the south loop (left) was installed. 

Above – May 19, 2009 – Another back lit shot of the complete layout. 

Above – May 19, 2009 – The first test run was successful. The third trip around, however, was less so. (I never did like train wrecks, I never know what to wear when I go to one.)

Above and Below – May 19, 2009 – Whooops – the wreck shown previously was because the train had to be run too fast in some spots in order to keep going over dead spots. This was also the case on the long straight stretch beside the house. One run resulted in a derailment that ran right through the “Utility Cabinet” hookup protection. It was rebuilt and relocated.

Above – May 19, 2009 – The track is 100% LGB. Minimum (and only) radius on the old loop is 24″, but the new loop is predominately 30″ radius. Besides the durability and wide variety of pieces available, the biggest bonus with LGB track is the great look as it weathers. In the picture above and below, you can see the contrast between shiny new track and track that has been outdoors for just one year.

Above – May 19, 2009 – Yes, my entire inventory of power and rolling stock is shown above. It is Hartland 1:24 scale equipment (made in good ol’ Indiana – well, actually, the 0-4-0 was originally tooled by those foreigners in Kalamazoo, Michigan).

Above – May 19, 2009 – See it in operation (without wrecking).

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