Seaboard Central 2.0

[davefoxx]

Thanks, Chris!

[wazzou]

So, what is it you actually bought from Fast Tracks Dave?  Visually, it's a beautiful TO.  Hopefully, it functions as it should.

[davefoxx]

Thanks, Bryan.  I bought the curved turnout fixture (large metal jig), which is even better than having a third hand, because it (for the most part) makes it as idiot-proof as possible to build the turnout in gauge.

http://www.handlaidtrack.com/N-8-16R-12R-Curved-Turnout-Fixture-Code-55-p/af-n-r-8-me55-16-12.htm

DFF

[Philip H]

Dave,
Hubba! What's the radius on that bad boy? And does the jig open either way?

[davefoxx]

Thanks, Philip!  It's a #8 turnout with 16" and 12" radii.  Yes, the same jig allows you to build left or right hand turnouts.

DFF

[davefoxx]

The next section of street is in.  Well, it hasn't been glued down yet, as evidenced by the misfit at the railroad crossing.  It actually fits nicely there, but it will take some glue to hold it flush with the crossing timbers, which I finally stained.  I haven't glued the street in yet, because I'll likely paint it first.  I did that on the last section, and it's much easier to work on it at the bench rather than the layout.  This street section just about gets me through Aberdeen.  Then, it will be on and up the hill to the factory at left and the bridges at the far end of the layout.



DFF

[Philip H]

Looks good. Are you going to trim back the asphalt to the right of the sidewalk in front of the turret?

[davefoxx]

I'll probably trim that back.  I have tended to whittle these pieces to final shape as they come into form.  If not completely, trimmed back, it would definitely be covered by ground cover.

DFF

[Chris333]

That depot though 

[davefoxx]

That depot though 

Heh, the foam station coordinates well with my cardboard enginehouse.   

[davefoxx]

I glued down the section of street that I was working on this morning.  I also added another piece of "asphalt" to extend beyond where the sidewalks terminate in Aberdeen, which allowed me to pave two parking lots.  Please ignore the Rustoleum water tower, which is acting as a weight while the adhesive sets up.  Next, I'll use lightweight spackling to bring the landscape up to the street and parking lots.  Then, and only then (when most of the sloppy adjacent scenery work is complete), will I consider painting the street and sidewalks.





DFF

[davefoxx]

I got the next piece of highway roughed in.  This piece was tricky to cut and fit, but I'm satisfied that I can piece it all together and minimize the appearance of the seams.



DFF

[wcfn100]

There's a little wheel hop through the frog sometimes, but that's probably to be expected with a #8 frog and the Fox Valley wheelsets with narrow treads that I run on many cars.

It's a consequence of the fast tracks filing jig (or trying to make it the same way without the jig).

There are thread here on TRW if you're interested in how to make a much better frog with zero wheel drop.

Jason

[davefoxx]

It's a consequence of the fast tracks filing jig (or trying to make it the same way without the jig).

There are thread here on TRW if you're interested in how to make a much better frog with zero wheel drop.

Jason

Do tell.  I have a few more to build, and there's very little expense in trying to build a better frog.

Thanks,
DFF

[wcfn100]

Do tell.  I have a few more to build, and there's very little expense in trying to build a better frog.

Thanks,
DFF

Zero expense, just a few more steps and a little more filing.  I'll see if I have all my pictures that illustrate what's happening.


Jason