Amazing work, amazing track plan, awesome trestle…. I need to sit back and review your excellent carpentry and attention to design before I say more. It’s a Wow! I’ll chime in later. Happy Railroading Everyone
@NJCJOE Joe your workmanship is awesome!! So happy you were able to save Steve's trestle!
Nice work Joe, I am still amazed with your skills in building this layout and to have a friend like Steve is like icing on the cake! It just reaffirms the generosity of the members here!
Your layout is definitely going to be one of those layouts that everyone is going to want to visit! Keep up the amazing work!
Joe:
Are trains running yet across Steve's trestle?
Walter
@Walter Matuch posted:Joe:
Are trains running yet across Steve's trestle?
Walter
Only in my mind Walter. Track laying is just about to start.
Hi Joe,
Everything is looking great !
Alex
Joe,
From one fabulous layout to the next. What a lucky trestle. Looks great and you made it fit like a glove.
Dave
Looks amazing Joe! I can see it is really going to be a focal point of your layout!
5/20/23 - Track laying has begun. This is my first time working with Gargraves flex track. It is a bit of a learning curve. However, over the years I have picked up some tips here on the Forum and on the internet that have come in handy. Maybe I should do and article for OGR magazine.
Still a ways to go but progress has been made.
Attachments
Looks great Joe!
Dave
When's train night????
Joe, it looks like you learned well! 👍🏻 I never got the knack of making smooth curves with GarGraves flex track!
@NJCJOE posted:5/20/23 - Track laying has begun. This is my first time working with Gargraves flex track. It is a bit of a learning curve. However, over the years I have picked up some tips here on the Forum and on the internet that have come in handy. Maybe I should do and article for OGR magazine.
Still a ways to go but progress has been made.
Railroad poetry Joe.
@corsair29 posted:When's train night????
Sometime in the next couple of weeks.
I’m having major train withdrawal!
@Tranquil Hollow RR posted:Railroad poetry Joe.
Why can’t I ever come up with such catchy comments? 😄
Mark, your insights and accomplishments are more than catchy.
@Tranquil Hollow RR posted:Mark, your insights and accomplishments are more than catchy.
Thank you 🤔
Looking great Joe! Good start!
@NJCJOE posted:It is a bit of a learning curve. However, over the years I have picked up some tips here on the Forum and on the internet that have come in handy. Maybe I should do and article for OGR magazine.
I am planning to make heavy use of gargraves flex track for my layout, I would be interested in an article! If anyone else knows of an OGR article (or other resource) on using Gargraves flex track I would love to have it!
@NJCJOE posted:5/20/23 - Track laying has begun. This is my first time working with Gargraves flex track. It is a bit of a learning curve. However, over the years I have picked up some tips here on the Forum and on the internet that have come in handy. Maybe I should do and article for OGR magazine.
Still a ways to go but progress has been made.
Impressive!
Peter
Joe, looks outstanding! Just wondering if your using a jig for forming your flex track? I seen a lot of videos of guys making them and using them.
Mike,
I did make a plywood jig, with the radius smaller than my track curves. This way, you bend it tighter than what you need but it springs back some. I then take it to the layout and make final adjustments by bending it around my waist. Works quite well.
Bending the ends is the hardest part. Here I slowly bend it by hand, bending a little at each tie location.
NJCJOE, Super nice layout work. What you are doing is going to produce many enjoyable hours. I enjoy watching your progress. Great work!
@mike g. posted:Joe, looks outstanding! Just wondering if your using a jig for forming your flex track? I seen a lot of videos of guys making them and using them.
@NJCJOE posted:Mike,
I did make a plywood jig, with the radius smaller than my track curves. This way, you bend it tighter than what you need but it springs back some. I then take it to the layout and make final adjustments by bending it around my waist. Works quite well.
Bending the ends is the hardest part. Here I slowly bend it by hand, bending a little at each tie location.
I saw a guy make guide with a piece or 2x4 with grooves matching the 3 rails cut into the face of the wood. He'd lay the block on the rails and use it to form the curves. It was especially useful at the ends of the sections.
The track looks great Joe.
Bob
Bob,
That is an interesting method with the grooved jig. So many ways to skin the cat.
Joe the track plan, road bed and track laying are incredible. Kudos to you for your vision and execution. Kudos to Steve and his brother for building such a great trestle and then passing it on to a friend for continued enjoyment. What a great bunch of people on our forum!
Joe,
May I suggest what Steve used on his layout for ballast and can be seen on the cover of the February issue of O Gauge, Gator Maxx Sand. Just a fine spray of water is all you need to seal it. A 50 pound bag is under $40.00. See attached picture.
Attachments
I may use that for ballast. Thank you.
Joe:
Make sure you use that particular brand of 'filler'. It comes in 3 different 'blends'...sand/tan use for dirt, grey use for actual ballast and black use for yards, engine terminals etc. Like CNJ Bill said...just spray water and you are done...basically forever as it is mixed with a cement type component.
I tried another brand and it was not as good in my opinion. Others are too dusty when applying but should still use 'covid' paper mask.
Walter
Where did you guys buy the polymeric sand?
@NJCJOE posted:Where did you guys buy the polymeric sand?
I just used Gator Maxx on my brick patio. It's great stuff but a bit dusty. It dries hard as concrete so make sure your track work is rock solid before applying. I used the slate gray mix which is a good ballast color.
Any mason/ concrete supplier should carry it. The stuff that Home Depot/ Lowes sells in inferior to the Gator Maxx.
Attachments
Lookin good feelin good JOE!!!!! Keep up the great work. 👍👍
Look's great Joe.
Walter
Nice work Joe! I'm paying attention to this thread.
NJCJOE,
Man, that is going to be one beautiful, epic, RR.
Thanks for keeping us up to date!
Wow, Joe! You made fast work of the tracklaying. It looks great!!
Outstanding! And 100' is gonna be a great run!