Laying Track Outdoors - Leveling and Ballasting

Leveling

After an unsatisfactory job with laying the track the first time, I took up the track (a loop around a gazebo) and started leveling the base out. I found that by mounding more gravel where the track had laid, in an area just a little taller than 3/4" and about the size of what fell off my shovel, I could tamp this down and get it level. Testing for level was done by using a piece of straight track in the straights and curves for curves. If I put the level on it, and it read level side-to-side, I went on. If not, I adjusted the gravel until it was level side-to-side. The track does not need to be level up and down (in the direction of movement), but MUST be level side-to-side.

Here's a tip: Use a piece of track and a quality combination square with level. Take the ruler section part off (and save the parts ;-)) and use just the head. This will sit nicely on sections of track you use to test for level.

Ballasting

Once the base was level, and the track installed again, I ballasted. I placed shovelfuls of the rock on top of the ties and tried to get it to sit down into the ties. I tried running a locomotive over the track to encourage the rock to settle, and that didn't work. The locomotive derailed before it got anywhere.

I then tried bringing out the snow plow. It's 80 degrees out, and the plow is working... Only on a model railroad, eh? Well, the plow succeded in pushing the bulk of the gravel out of the way that would interfere with the locomotive, but derailed several times itself. The track still didn't LOOK good, though.

After these failures, I decided to try the spray nozzle on the garden hose. This worked really well. By aiming the spray of water towards the rails (to push the rock away from it), I was able to convince the gravel to settle down into the area between the ties and blow most of the extra off. The track now looks decent, and is firmly held in place with the ballast.

Laying Track Outdoors - Posted to rec.models.railroad on May 16, 2007

It all started with an $8 purchase for a bunch of train stuff at a garage sale... Soon, I had a piece of track for my G-gauge locomotive as test track, and plans for a loop outside. To make a long story short, I'm skipping right to the laying track part.

Laying track for an outdoor railroad is a lot more prep work than that of an indoor layout. For an indoor layout, one merely has to attach track to a flat-ish surface and connect power. (Nitpick: Yes, quality track laying is much more difficult.) For an outdoor layout, "flat" is something that must be created. My simple loop of track required taking dirt out of the garden to level some of the worst spots, and tamping it all down.

Since things will grow in flat empty dirt, step two involves laying down a weed barrier and putting gravel on top of it. In my impatience to get trains running, I had laid track on top of the dirt and added the gravel later. I think this was a mistake. What I should have done was put the gravel down first, tamped it all down level, and then laid track. (G gauge track needs to be level side-to-side. Grades are fine, but you'll run into trouble with some equipment if it's not level side-to-side.)

If it's dry tomorrow (rained today) and I have the time, I'm looking at taking up the track, compacting the gravel underneath and leveling it side-to-side, and relaying it. It's a lot of work, but I think it's worth it.

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Note: I posted this to rec.models.railroad on May 16, 2007.
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This post has been edited at 2007-05-21 05:15:29

Track rework

Track rework


The Garden Railway (TGR) has been taken up with the intent of reworking the ground underneath and properly ballasting the track. The rails are currently in storage, while unfavorable weather keeps track crews from working. Track supervisor Puckdropper hopes the rain will end soon so he can get the ground work finished.


Plow Finished


For immediate release--Puckdropper's Place announced that the snow plow they've been working on has been finished. If it snows this winter after the track rework has finished, The Garden Railway will be ready to clear the line.

Providing the power to clear the line will be a new Aristo-Craft RS3. If necessary, TGR will have the assistance of "the owner's touch" which is a big hand from the sky.

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Milestone reached

Milestone Reached
by Green Bean (who's not a Pea)






Puckdropper's Place Car shops reached one of the final milestones in building their snow plow. This plow, along with a dedicated track crew, will allow Puckdropper's Place to run trains all through winter.

According to an internal memo, the milestone reached was putting the car frame and body on trucks for the first time. While the car isn't ready for service, the shop plans to have it ready by the first snow fall.

With temeratures in this area about 10 degrees below normal, the unseasonably cool trend has continued leaving many to wonder what the Winter will bring. I, for one, wish Puckdropper's Place the best with their snow plow project.


This post has been edited at 2006-09-10 21:27:32

This post has been edited at 2006-10-03 00:49:57

This post has been edited at 2006-11-13 01:21:34

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Rail News 3-13-06

Puckdropper's Place Announces Acquisition of new rail line
by Pear E. White

In a much anticipated move by analysists, Puckdropper's Place announced their acquisition of the Long and Short Lines, a small railroad consisting of only two locomotives and a handful of freight cars. The LSL interchanges with the Northeast Indiana N-scale railroad, which has been a source of traffic for the industries served by the LSL.

In the deal, Puckdropper's Place acquired all the assets and liabilities of the LSL, and agreed to interchange agreements with the Northeast Indiana N-scale railroad. The former owners of the LSL recieved $250 million in return.

The former owner of the LSL, Paul Tree, stated, "It was time for me to move to other employment opportunities. I am happy Puckdropper's Place was willing to take over and maintain the railroad we worked so hard to build."

Tornado Rips Through Newly-Acquired LSL
by Pear E. White

The day after Puckdropper's Place acquired the Long and Short Lines, a tornado ripped up the road and much of the grass next to the track of the LSL. The tornado, which struck at 4:42 pm, was classified an F1 on the Fujita scale. Minor damage was done to the track, but the road leading to many line-side industries was completely destroyed.

Three I Times To Change Name
by Jonah Arch

The Three I Times, which is the paper publishing this article, announced their plans to dedicate their coverage to Puckdropper's Place, Inc's railroad operations, and change their name to Puckdropper's Place Post.

No plans have been made to change the details of the charter of the Three I times at this time.

This post has been edited at 2006-07-08 02:11:56

Editorial: Inclement Weather Slows Progress on Garden Railway

Puckdropper's Place has been promising us they would have permanent rail service soon. Soon has come and gone, and we still don't have permanent rail service. I spoke with my cousin's uncle's aunt's brother's father's relative, and he told me that the weather has been too bad. Work crews cannot get anything done, and I believe them. Just look at Weather Underground's Dopplar Radar Image.

I saw work crews out this week, so I'm hoping for the best. I look forward to the first run of the LGB Porter, my favorite locomotive. I already have tickets to the first running of the locomotive, when ever that may be. So, local residents, don't fret. I'm sure we'll see rail service soon.

Wai Ting
Ashley, IN

This post has been edited at 2006-07-08 02:11:59

This post has been edited at 2006-11-13 01:22:07