LO#8 - Setting the Track in the Ground

The last few weeks have been interesting for me as I try to imagine how the ground laid before we put the sub-roadbed in position.  Marvin has finished the track laying and block wiring, leaving him little to do but run trains, clean up the wire runs and document the block wiring and reverse loop switch positions.

The only ground contour using profile boards I have worked with till now was on the small diorama portrayed in the 10 part Clinic Building a Diorama on this blog last year.

This was the clinic diorama before desert shrubs were added.

The profile boards supporting the sub-roadbed and with twine lacing to support the plaster cloth.

As with the diorama above, this 5'x10' layout is a learning experience for me.  As you follow through the photos past and present you will see a variety of my efforts to use new or different ways to construct scenery.  Also be aware that most of this will have to be removed when we ballast the track and replaced with a more robust support structure.

Last Tuesday I began placing temporary profile boards around the outside edges of the layout.   

I lost my cheap foam-core board sources so have switched to corrugated cardboard boxes at $1.32,  providing 4 pieces 12"x48".

These outside boards and the upper contour will be used together to determine the ground location between those points and provide the degree of cut or fill needed.  The final outside profile boards will probably be 1/4" tempered hardboard screwed to the outside of, and covering, the 1"x4" frame.

This is one of our favorite features, the long 1.8% grade connecting the lower and upper levels.  Marv's train is coming through the upper reverse loop.

The vertical change and sweeping 23" radius curves will provide some really neat viewing angles for passing trains, tunnels and bridges.

A close-up of the above view showing the upper continuous run upper loop, upper reverse loop with train and the start of the 1.8% decent to the lower level.  The slightly curved track will be straightened soon.

This shows most of the 3 section truss bridge over the lower reverse loop leading into the tunnel.  The wood blocks show the contour of a small creek.

The overall view plainly shows the upper reverse loop at the far end

One thing I am trying to avoid is a tunnel portal almost as big as the mountain, something like the highway tunnel under the runway at LAX in California.  So I am building a taller profile to provide a more believable scene.  I will be replacing many of the cardboard strips with profile boards to better control the profile of the cuts.  I may even mockup the surface using paper towels sprayed with a water mist to lay down to the boards.

Till next week,

Armchair

To help you find earlier posts concerning this Layout build I am providing this List:

LO#1    2-1-2012
LO#2   2-9
LO#3   2-19
LO#4   5-28
LO#5   5-29
LO#6   6-5
LO#7   6-9
LO#8   6-19

Find the week date on the right hand side and click to go to the posts during that week.