Another Standard gauge Project

@Mallard4468 posted:

I misunderstood your process - I thought that you were planning to make all of your pieces from wood, but now I understand that you are making molds.  Since you are using solid wood (rather than plywood), the pieces will expand and contract across the grain with changes in humidity.  They may also cup or warp if one side is left unpainted.  However, if they are only being used to build molds, you might be done with them before wood movement is an issue.

Here's an article regarding considerations for wood movement:  https://www.thisiscarpentry.co...ntent-wood-movement/

As a carpenter by trade I do know about what you were referring to . Still a good article to refresh the mind .  As for the pieces of wood I’m using I’m not too worried about drastic swelling or twisting.  Famous last words LOL.  Thanks for your concern nonetheless. It’s nice to have someone looking after you making sure projects projects go smoothly.

@Lionelski posted:

You guys can find a couple of my Standard Gauge projects here:

https://www.warrenvillerailroa...-honor-of-my-brother

Really nice job on the dinner! I also like your use of the tin pan for the base of it .  Thank you for your kind words .

Here are a few photos of the next part of my roadbed project/experiment.  The beginnings of the curve section .  I am going to try to make a 1/4 curve section first .  Stay tuned .

Well I found some spare time today to spend in my shop and to work on the 1/4 curve prototype for my rubber roadbed . It’s definitely a multi step process!

There’s one thing about prototypes, sometimes you have to start over or come up with a clever way to fix your mistake.  I may have made the curve an 1/8 of an inch short . It’s now time to set it a side and go have a bourbon.

There’s one thing about prototypes, sometimes you have to start over or come up with a clever way to fix your mistake.  I may have made the curve an 1/8 of an inch short . It’s now time to set it a side and go have a bourbon.

Back at it . One good thing about rainy days is that I get to work on my projects. Here are a few update photos of my rubber roadbed prototypes.  Now that the curve is done the next step is to fabricate a mold box for each model to go in .  Fingers crossed that this project is a success.

A few more projects and potential projects to add .  First off are my last weeks York purchases . Second up are a few standard size trees . Not sure if I’ll glue on some flocking or leave them bare and add some snow effects for the Christmas layout .

Well it been some time since I posted any progress on my rubber roadbed. So here are some photos of what I’ve done . I do want to say , I pretty much started over with my wood prototypes, changing the design slightly.  It’s a long process that’s for sure , a lot of work and thankfully great rewards. It’s been fun and a learning experience all a long the way . The work part is multi layered, fun using my tools , a little frustrating cutting out the bow ties , gluing on the sifted quarry screenings  x2 , then 3 coating everything with oil bases marine varnish, making mold boxes , applying oil based putty on the undersides of all the wooden sections , clamping and screwing all the wooden sections into the mold boxes from the bottom , spraying and brushing a release agent onto each section X2 , then mixing a 1:1 silicone mixture-  real thoroughly !! , pour the mixture into the mold boxes from a 3 foot higher to reduce the risk of air bubbles, let it sit overnight, then de-mold.  I still have a few more sections to pour , they will have to wait due to the cost of the material. Next up is mixing the rubber and adding the pigment and pouring it into my negative molds for a finished product 🤞🤞.   More to come , stay tuned . 👍🥃

That is one of the most interesting projects I have seen in a while.

@Keith k posted:

That is one of the most interesting projects I have seen in a while.

Thank you , it’s a lot bigger and costly too . One of those projects that once I jumped into it there was no turning back.  It’s been fun and I’ve learned a lot a long the way .  Stay tuned for more .

Here are a few more photos and a list of what I have done so far. These are the negatives that are ready to be poured for a finished product. 🤞🤞.   1/4. O42 curve , 1/8. O42 curve , 1/16. O42 curve , 7 inch straight. 14 inch straight , 28 inch straight and the bow ties that will hold the sections together.  Still waiting to buy more silicone to pour 4 more molds and they are the 3 foot straight , the 6 foot straight ( I’m thinking this one may be last because of its size and the amount of silicone needed to fill the mold box .) , a 90 degree cross and a 45 degree cross .  This fall or winter I plan on making two O42 switches.

One more post got today . Here are a few photos of the crosses . To help cut the cost down , the silicone is not cheap, I cut filler blocks to screw into the mold boxes .  The 43 degree cross photo is an old photo and different blocks were added . In fact the 45 degree cross will have 6 filler blocks added and the 90 degree cross will have  4 curved blocks added .  You can see the  filler blocks in the last photo .  Thanks for viewing and stay tuned for updates.

A little update on my rubber roadbed project.  I got the “filler” blocks screwed into the mold boxes belonging to the two crosses . One more thing checked off the To Do List . I need to purchase some more silicone then I can pour these two and the 3 foot section.  Next step in this process is to figure out the pigment ratio for the rubber . Looks like I’ll be calling the rep for some advice.

@JohnnieWalker posted:

A little update on my rubber roadbed project.  I got the “filler” blocks screwed into the mold boxes belonging to the two crosses . One more thing checked off the To Do List . I need to purchase some more silicone then I can pour these two and the 3 foot section.  Next step in this process is to figure out the pigment ratio for the rubber . Looks like I’ll be calling the rep for some advice.

I recall seeing something like this at the SGMA breakfast at York in April - was it yours?  If so, I'd like to suggest that you ask the SGMA organizers - @Jim Waterman, @SGMA1 - if you could do a brief presentation at the breakfast.

That was me 👍.  I was hoping to have at least one finished section to take to the meeting this coming October.  Right now my biggest hurdle is mixing the two part rubber solutions and pigment. I just finished sending an email to the one of the reps of the company that  I got my supplies from asking for some guidance. I will be bringing the molds and maybe one or two of the prototypes with me to “show & tell “ .  With my work load and getting ready to travel to Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🥃🚂 next week my play time is very limited for this project.  I’m hoping to hear back from the rep real soon with his thoughts and suggestions.  Fingers crossed and stay tuned .
Thanks for your interest 👍👍

Did some guess work yesterday afternoon , did I have enough of parts A&B to pour the 90 degree cross ? Yes , and it was just enough, I used Every last drop to fill the mold box ! This evening I was able to de-mold it and add it to the rest of the molds .  I’m hoping to pour the grey rubber soon after I return from vacation.  The one photo is a piece of grey composite decking , the color I’m shooting for when I mix the pigment in the rubber .  Stay tuned.

An update on my Standard Gauge roadbed project, 10-13-2032 . Being that this is all new to me ( a carpenter by trade ) I’m taking this project at a slow pace, the materials are not cheap. My main goal is to have some finished pieces for a Show & Tell at this years Fall York Standard Gauge meeting and to have a finished loop for around this years Christmas tree . By the look of things I will have to buy another “Kit” to achieve my goals.  This is quite a learning process and I would like to thank Kirk Lindbig of USA TRACK for his input and encouragement.  Please stay tuned for updates and thanks to all who are interested in my projects. Cheers

That is so cool! Thanks for sharing thsi project with us.

@JohnnieWalker posted:

...My main goal is to have some finished pieces for a Show & Tell at this years Fall York Standard Gauge meeting ...

Looking forward to seeing it on Friday morning.

Have you considered submitting an article about the process to OGR or CTT?

Thanks guys  ! It’s been an adventure, from the initial idea to this stage , and still always to go .  As for an article to submit, I have given it some thought. I wrote an article back in the late 90s about a live catenary system I built for my Bowser trolley , never to be sent in . Came across it not that long ago . Brought back fond memories. Sorry I digress.  As for writing an article it will have to wait until my initial goal is met and to see what kind of response or feedback I get at York .  Thanks for your interest and suggestions they sure make the project a little more exciting.

Well here it is , the time between York and Christmas and the push is on to get my Christmas loop done ( the rubber roadbed project )  I went and purchased more silicone, for the molds themselves and more rubber for the finished product. Yesterday I was able to pour the 45 degree cross and the 3’ straight silicone molds . That will be it for a while for the mold making , now it’s time to focus on the pouring of the rubber .  Later today I will de mold what I poured yesterday afternoon.  

Here’s a little side project that I’m working on besides the rubber roadbed. It’s another car for my farm train . I picked up a tractor and plow at Rough & Tumble ( a steam show/event held in Kinnzer PENN each August, featuring steam tractors and other antique vehicles and farm machinery) . Anyway I picked up a 514 box car and a 511 flat car at York this past show ($25.00 for the two of them) and the Tracktor and plow are a perfect fit for the flatcar . Just need to make some wheel chocks and secure them to the car .

Rubber roadbed project update . I had enough of the rubber left to pour three more pieces and that is the end of the rubber for now . I will resume sometime in the new year after I save some money for another kit .  I have what I was originally planning on and look forward to setting up my loop at Christmas time. The loop photo is what I’m taking to set up around my brothers tree . I just need to cut out a notch for the power lock on and an other for my automatic crossing signal man . So looking forward to seeing the roadbed in use !  Cheers

Really interesting project, amazing effort, lots of skills involved.  THanks for sharing!

@DL Brunette posted:

Really interesting project, amazing effort, lots of skills involved.  THanks for sharing!

Thanks for the compliment 👍. Carpentry is my game, pouring silicone and rubber are not in my wheelhouse so it’s been a learn as I go project.

Something a little different to share tonight. It’s my 45 gateman that I decided to put a red LED light inside the man’s lantern . I JB welded the LED wires to the back of the gateman’s arm and also made his arm fixed with a slight forward position. I need to paint it . The way I drilled out the lantern it left me with two parts , the lantern itself and then its base . This way I could glue the base onto the bottom of the LED and have a reasonable looking lantern .  Two solder joints and a new spring made my $10.00 gateman a great deal .  I apologize for the shaky videos I post , I have a tremor and sometimes it gets in the way of making a steady video.

@JohnnieWalker posted:

Something a little different to share tonight. It’s my 45 gateman that I decided to put a red LED light inside the man’s lantern . I JB welded the LED wires to the back of the gateman’s arm and also made his arm fixed with a slight forward position. I need to paint it . The way I drilled out the lantern it left me with two parts , the lantern itself and then its base . This way I could glue the base onto the bottom of the LED and have a reasonable looking lantern .  Two solder joints and a new spring made my $10.00 gateman a great deal .  I apologize for the shaky videos I post , I have a tremor and sometimes it gets in the way of making a steady video.

Nice touch on an old accessory.  Did you use an LED that includes the resistor, or did you have to hide a resistor somewhere?

@Mallard4468 posted:

Nice touch on an old accessory.  Did you use an LED that includes the resistor, or did you have to hide a resistor somewhere?

Thanks for the compliment, greatly appreciated 👍. No resistor . I bought 10 red light pre wired 12v  5mm bulbs on eBay and just wired it up . My fingers are crossed that that’s all I needed to do.  

@JohnnieWalker posted:

Thanks for the compliment, greatly appreciated 👍. No resistor . I bought 10 red light pre wired 12v  5mm bulbs on eBay and just wired it up . My fingers are crossed that that’s all I needed to do.  

If it didn't blow right away, then I expect that you'll be ok. 

I already have enough items on the to-do list - you are a bad influence and my mom says I shouldn't play with you anymore.