A set back...

Well it was bound to happen... I have experienced my first major set back while building this railroad. In short, my ideas for the magnetic lift-out bridge did not work! Oh it worked just fine until I decided to cut it free... so to speak. I built the bridge, laid the roadbed, and then installed the track as one continuous uninterrupted piece. Everything was running smoothly. I tested it with several different trains.... so.... I decided to cut the track and roadbed. Well one end of the bridge is on a tangent section, while the other is in the middle of a 30" radius. The tangent end is fine... the end within the radius did not hold it's alignment. After dumping glue on it, spiking it, and clamping it, I was not happy with the result- derailments!

I have since thought about it, studied other lift-out bridges and have determined that in most cases the track is cut radially or perpendicular to the roadbed. My cut is angled to match the face of the benchwork. This introduces a whole new issue of trying to maintain the rail alignment. I realize now that I should have attached the bridge to the benchwork at a location that is perpendicular to the trackbed.

This has been a great learning experience. Nothing is ever permanent and it can be fixed. So I will go back to the drawing board and make some adjustments, some more calculations, and build it again!

I will update the blog with the results!
That's it!
Scott

Mainline Continuous Loop Connection Complete

I have completed the mainline continuous loop connection and can now run trains over the entire layout (big loop). I have next to complete the town of Prophetstown, which has about 50% of the track installed. I am hoping to do that this week.

I also hope to post the revised track plan and line diagram soon.

I have also been "thumbing" through the internet looking at structures that would fit the industries and era I am modeling. My goal is the buy a structure every so often and complete it. The railroad will require several structures of the industries modeled, not to mention the "extra" buildings and shacks that are needed to create the realism of a model railroad.
Thanks for visiting!
That's It!
Scott

Update

I have had some "extra" time on my hands this week and have made great progress on the railroad! The mainline is complete now from Walnut East to the staging yard (Mendota). I have figured out the track configuration for Prophetstown and I am now ready to complete that portion as well. My plan was to have all the trackwork done this weekend... however, I have run into a small glitch- I am out of rail joiners! I went to a local source today and they are out! So the "Golden Spike" ceremony will have to wait until next week after I have had a chance to pick-up additional rail joiners... I am still shaking my head.

The track layout for Prophetstown is now going to be more prototypical to what actually existed there in about 1940 or so. I have used the Sanborn Insurance maps to attempt to replicate the track layout and position of the local industries, including the Eclipse Lawn Mower Co. According to the Sanborn map, this company actually existed. I need to do some more research on that... not necessarily railroad related, but just an interesting piece of history. Okay, I couldn't resist... I Googled it and got a lot of links... but this one actually shows the factory! What a find!

http://genealogytrails.com/ill/whiteside/cityprophetstownbusiness.html

I have also modified the trackplan to show industries that were present in the towns I am modeling, ie Eclipse Lawn Mower Co. I hope to post that very soon, along with another line diagram showing the updates.

That's it for now!
Scott