Allegheny Eastern: Clean Slate

[kelticsylk]

"OMG"

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[kelticsylk]

"A Minor Revision"

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[kelticsylk]

"Major Miscalculation"

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[GaryHinshaw]

Frank, there is no way the grade difference between the inner and outer loops of your helix is as large as you calculated.  The run on the inner loop is much more than 16.75', I'm not sure how you arrived at that.

Outer loop, 8" rise in 3.5 turns @ 22" radius: 8/(3.5*2*pi*22) = 0.0165 = 1.65%
Inner loop, 8" rise in 3.5 turns @ 18.25" radius: 8/(3.5*2*pi*18.25) = 0.0199 = 1.99%

You should be fine.  As a sanity check, with an 8" rise in 3.5 turns, you should have about 2.25" between turns.  Is that what you have?

-gfh

[kelticsylk]

I have to laugh at myself... Thank you for calling me on this. I use pi x Dia to figure circumference. I forgot to double the 18.5" 

Soooo. If I use 36.5" like I should have I get a track length of about 401". 8" in 401" is a pinch under 2%.

Didn't know I there was a formula, at least not one I could understand...Elevation/Turns*(pi*Diameter)=Grade.

Thank you once again.

The distance between turns is 2.25 inches. Subtract the 1/4" plywood and there is 2" clear. The tracks are recessed about a 1/16" so there is wiggle room for the trains. I know that 2" is really pushing it in case of derailments and such, but the helix is open to the aisles.

[kelticsylk]

"Embarrassment"

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[kelticsylk]

"Bondo?"

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[kelticsylk]

"Bending Space and Time"

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[Lemosteam]

"Bondo?"

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Frank, you may want to try some Durham's rock hard putty.  I used it to smooth out and fill some areas on the LIRR IS and it worked great.  Sticks to the foam well too!  Large 4lb cans are about $10.

http://www.amazon.com/Canister-Rock-Hard-Water-Putty/dp/B008XKVDP0/ref=pd_sim_sbs_lg_3

[VonRyan]

The Durham's putty works well with the WS rock molds. A much better product to use with them than plaster or hydrocal.

-Cody F.

[Scottl]

Loving all your foam splines.  Great progress.

[kelticsylk]

Guys, thanks for the tips and the encouragement.

4 lbs would be more than enough for all the roadbed. How does it take to sawing and drilling and such?

[kelticsylk]

"The Other Railroads on the Allegheny Eastern"

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[kelticsylk]

"A Little Patch and Paint"

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[kelticsylk]

"Doldrums"

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