Thought it was time to update construction progress. The first two pics are screen shots of the CS3 layout track plan as it was at the beginning of the season, left and as it stands now on the right.
Four turnouts have been added. The new turnout (LGB R5) to the right of three span girder bridge branches to the far side of the main stream. The line passes below the girder bridge and crosses stream on a new low bridge. The branch then goes through what will be a second station area with a short passing siding. The three turnouts here are LGB R3s. The stub off the passing siding will eventually lead into my shed. It's just a short siding for now. The new line then continues to a 180º curved trestle that crosses a dry stream bed to connect up with the stub coming off the wye on the near side of the stream.
The next few shots show construction of the trestle. First up is the track on jury rigged temporary supports.
As mentioned in another thread, the small shed houses a DCC four channel switch decoder for control of the three turnouts in the station area. The next couple pics show the partially completed trestle.
The first two bents of each end of the trestle were assembled on a table. Horizontal and diagonal braces along with the stringers that will support the track make sure the bents are square and sturdy. The first pic above has the far side bents installed. The near side bents can be seen sitting on the grass at the top of the photo. The rest of the 10 bents (eleven stringer spans) were installed one at a time at about 16" on center and with 1/4" of drop between each bent. This made up the 2 3/4" height difference at each end of the trestle. A narrow trench was dug and compacted crushed limestone paver base provides the foundation for each bent. The track was fixed to the trestle stringers in three locations once the trestle was completed. A stringer at each attachment point was through drilled with an oversize hole. 4-40 stainless steel screws with washers at each end loosely secured the track to the stringer. The nut on each screw was fixed with thread lock compound. The loose track attachment allows for expansion and contraction.
The next few pics show the completed trestle. Note that Rule 8 is in play here. The trestle posts, caps and stringers are all about 25% over-scale. Also, wood trestles are pretty much New World and Third World constructions and are not authentic to European RRs. Therefore, even though most of my stock is Swiss narrow gauge, I thought it appropriate my token North American train be featured.
I couldn't find any more LGB log disconnects at a reasonable price. So I decided to buy a Bachmann flat with log skidder to add some length to the train. The price was quite reasonable. Its been painted and weathered a bit. I would have liked to leave the boiler stack attached but it presented clearance problems. Could be why the skidder comes with an indent that appears molded to hold the stack. I also think the Climax needs its stack swapped for one of the ballon spark arresting stacks it came with. It looks too much like an urban industrial loco with the straight stack. Something for me to take care of this Winter. I might change out the wheels on the LGB log disconnects for Bachmann's smaller wheel-sets too. Thanks to Gavin and his 7/8s LGB tipplers for this inspiration.
On tap for next season is to complete the concrete bridge abutments for the new low bridge. It's on temporary supports at the moment. Then the all important spur to the shed where I can park the wagons. It sure will be nice not dealing with all those red boxes! Three or four loco boxes for each session are enough to be taking in and out of the house.
