I have been working on a car float for a month now; the size is 17" x48". Loosely based on a Lehigh Valley prototype. Its four tracks and will be wood decked. I used Masonite for the base, cut trim for the edges. Cutting and mitering was slow, but its getting there. Today I started placing track on the deck and hope to have it nailed in this week.
Once the rails are together, I will cut the turnouts in half as part will go on the float bridge.
Enjoy
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Very nice. Please keep updating with your progress. I am about to start a similar project in the next couple of months. In the "design" phase right now.
I learned something already. The idea of splitting the switch between land and the car float never occurred to me. Now I need to do some redesign work.
John
Tr,
In my research, the switches are split on the ramp and the car float. This helps keep the ramp two rails wide and allows for 3-4 tracks on the float. I couldn't figure out any other way to do this. I will keep updates coming. Thank you for your interest.
I will add an underside shot as well.
Perhaps not a large change, but the track is now nailed in; I have to cut the turnouts in half and the barge end. The Caboose is an Overland wood New Haven I have yet to paint and glaze... A VERY nice model and I would love to find a few more Overland wood cabooses...
In addition to being great eye catchers on a model railroad they make great operation opportunites. If the barge / float is small it may NOT be switched with a loco on the apron or float, they used idler flats to switch with. Also remember that the barge /float is a boat so must be switched in BALANCE. First car to center track center barge, Then one left and one right, and so forth. Great fun. Russ
Today I cut the switches, weathered the rails with bragdon powders and decked the float. The outside edge and area between the rails is virtually done, I will stain it this week. I will stain the sections going between the rails as well prior to installing them. I test run and it all tracks nicely and fits
enjoy---
Brad...thanks for this thread...I am enjoying the updates and look forward to the finished model..
Alan
Brad
Looks like you are moving along quickly. Very nice progress. Keep the progress reports coming.
John
Alan, Tr and others,
Thank you---progress is well--progress! I am going to have to be careful on the staining portion as I only get one shot. Or I have an ebay item....
I think it will come out fine, one the float is done, I will construct the float bridge, dock and overhead supports. Still intending to motorize the ramp for raising and lowering into position.
Stay tuned---for more fun, follow the slaughterhouse thread!
You are making very nice progress! Really neat.
Hopefully I am not boring you... In high thirties temps, I braved the sleet and cold to stain my sheets and filled the deck [most of it].
I used paint stir sticks (bulge cut off) for the interior between rails {fits between the tie plates} and used rustoleum wood stain.
First coat a mix of cherry and gray 1/3 cherry 2/3 gray. Second coat all gray.
It visually looks like aged steel what I hoped for!
Enjoy---
BradA
Definitely not boring! Would love to see any further progress. I'm in the middle of a similar project right now.
John
Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership
