Conrail Windsor St Yard (York PA) Engineering Report

[davefoxx]

It IS a bit like doing a crossword in pen.

Oh, no, that's okay.  I do that all of the time.   

DFF

[sirenwerks]

The problem with grout, it's basically cement .. which means you decide to move the track, its toast

I think Ed lives knows what he wants well enough and the lives with his track long enough before ballasting before setting the ballast to support his approach. (Good lord, I must have been sleep deprived when I originally wrote that)

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I think Ed lives knows what he wants well enough and the lives with his track long enough before ballasting before setting the ballast to support his approach.

Exactly. York's been ballast free for almost a year!

[MVW]

The problem with grout, it's basically cement .. which means you decide to move the track, its toast

That was my concern, too. So in my yard, I put down a layer of WS cinders first, then added grout on top. The grout between tracks (not between the rails of a track) was dampened a bit, but grout that contacted ties was brushed on dry. (And hopefully remained dry.) I'm not 100% certain I haven't inadvertently "cemented" some track down, but I sleep a little bit better this way.

Jim

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Meh. I'm not worried about it. I have a cold chisel.

Anyway, I put together a post about my recent sprint.

http://conrail1285.com/july-2017-york-progress-report/

A few pics worth looking at.

[seusscaboose]

tie spacing is wrong
 

[Lemosteam]

Meh. I'm not worried about it. I have a cold chisel.

Or Dyneeemite!

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Also, ten minutes ago, I fixed the holes under the track.

[MichaelWinicki]

Sidings look good Ed!

With the ballasting and weathering, the large spike heads that are often griped about become much less noticeable.

[milw12]

I like it. It cleaned up nicely after being 'pigmented' by the unsanded grout and fits the bill for an underused side spur.

When I made my test module (long gone and pictures lost to PB  ) with black unsanded grout it noticeably turned the track darker, making for free weathering. I'd say the pigment  properties of unsanded grout can be taken advantage of in certain situations.

I'm planing a base of black unsanded grout for a cinders look plus the weathering effect, topped with AR&M ballast. Plus I want my track permanently cemented in place, if you're going to do something might as well over do it 

The tie spacing is a nice touch too, I did that for a current layout. Makes for a ton of tedious work, I think it was something like an hour for soldering feeders, chopping/spacing ties, cleaning and then laying PER piece of flex. Glad I only had five to do, and mostly shorties 

Looking good overall and can't wait for more!

[glakedylan]

looking good, Ed
your ground cover and trees
along with the ballasting
really look fantastic
great work
sincerely
Gary

[Chris333]

Also, ten minutes ago, I fixed the holes under the track.

[coosvalley]

OK, I have 2 comments.

First, I think it looks much better color wise with the added "vegetation", the colors look very realistic.

But, what's bugging me it that the track still looks like it's sittin on the ground, not in it. I get the feeling you're going for a tracks-in-the-mud look, but it doesn't look buried enough. The ends of the ties should be covered at least, IMHO. But maybe you have a certain look you're going for too, and maybe it really does look like that. Do you have a reference photo(s) that you're using? Personally, I would carefully add another thin layer until it looks like the tops of the ties are level with the earth..Maybe add a nail polish puddle or 2 if it really is supposed to be mud...The "freshly ballasted" track looks spot on, however..

[wazzou]

But, what's bugging me it that the track still looks like it's sittin on the ground, not in it.

Yep.

[wm3798]

Model this, but make it a FAT bike, then have a FAT guy with a beard nearby wheezing and eating a Primanti Bros. burger will the crap on it nearby.