Weekend Update 2/8/15

[Kisatchie]

At any rate I guess I'll go try and fix the rail now 

Hmm... will that involve
dynamite...?

[skytop35]

More work on the foam-board underpass.

That's gonna make a great model !  Nice work so far.

[Chris333]

   More trouble.

Just searched the whole vast rail system of this 16"x26" layout and found the curved turnout on the other side popped as well:


This time though the solder joints didn't pop. Instead the PC ties both slid out and some how kept the rails in gauge. On this turnout the outer radius is 7" and the inner is 6".


This is why we can't have nice things!

And just to prove that trains once ran on it:
Not a valid vimeo URL

[Scottl]

Chris, where do you store the layout, in a cold space?

[Chris333]

It's in the basement. Stays about 60-65 degrees in the summer and maybe 55 degrees in winter if it's really cold out.

No other turnouts were affected, just both curves. Maybe next time I'll epoxy the turnout to a sheet of steel plate 

[Power Stroke]

Chris, you did an exceptional job on this layout, sucks to have this happen but I'm sure you'll get it fixed.

[Scottl]

That is not much of a temperature swing.

[wm-webb]

Just put a CSX train on it, call it sun kinks and you're good to go.
Even CSX runs commercials every so often to show trains did run on it.

  More trouble.

Just searched the whole vast rail system of this 16"x26" layout and found the curved turnout on the other side popped as well:


This time though the solder joints didn't pop. Instead the PC ties both slid out and some how kept the rails in gauge. On this turnout the outer radius is 7" and the inner is 6".


This is why we can't have nice things!

And just to prove that trains once ran on it:

[Chris333]

Well that was pretty painless 

Chopped the rail with a .009" cut off wheel


Then I put the rails in place and held them with pins. Hit it with the soldering iron on 700 degrees to activate the solder and Pilobond


Have to touch up the paint and scenery (if it holds up). I'm scared as hell to dig up something that is "finished", but I guess it worked out. 

[Chris333]

You know I have other tight curve handlaid trackwork that has been sitting in the same basement:
https://picasaweb.google.com/ErieChris333/HarlemStation#5648063141495422194

I just checked it and didn't see one single popped rail 

[peteski]

You know I have other tight curve handlaid trackwork that has been sitting in the same basement:
https://picasaweb.google.com/ErieChris333/HarlemStation#5648063141495422194

I just checked it and didn't see one single popped rail 

Well, despite all the people saying that there isn't much expansion/contraction to nickel silver, we can plainly see that something drastic took place (and the overall length of the rail is relatively not all that long around the entire layout).

It would make sense for a separate thread to discuss/ponder this in more detail.

[Ken Rice]

You know I have other tight curve handlaid trackwork that has been sitting in the same basement:
https://picasaweb.google.com/ErieChris333/HarlemStation#5648063141495422194

I just checked it and didn't see one single popped rail 

That one looks like the track is glued directly to plywood?
Hm, same temperature swing, different materials with different responses to humidity for roadbed...

[Ntrainz1]

Another PC caboose repainted and decaled


Bob.

[up1950s]

Chriss , it wouldn't hurt to add a pair of unfilled gaps on that straight section .   

[alhoop]

You know I have other tight curve handlaid trackwork that has been sitting in the same basement:
https://picasaweb.google.com/ErieChris333/HarlemStation#5648063141495422194

I just checked it and didn't see one single popped rail 

Yeh, just look at all those infinite expansion joints!!

Al