A shelf layout emerging from a turnout

[nscaler711]

Man that looks great!! Now we just need to find you a ATSF GP38 or GP7u (possible kit bash? )

[svedblen]

Now we just need to find you a ATSF GP38 or GP7u (possible kit bash? )

Yeah, that would be sweet 
But first my car needs new tires 

[nscaler711]

Bummer...
I did a simple eBay search and I came across lots of MTH BNSF, and the ever popular Williams line up... But those weren't two rail O. Though I believe Atlas O has a GP60... But it may be too new depending on what you want...

[svedblen]

I've been away for a couple of weeks but now it was finally time to spike some rail. But as always, just one more thing to do first - soldering feeder wires. Here I have soldered feeders to the first two rails, and then just laid them down in about the right position.



Next I wanted to mark the position of one of the rails, in reference to the ties. So I pinned down some loose rail, all at about the same position from the end of the ties all along. I tried to get a nice an smooth flow. The camera shows something that looks as an outward bend at the blue pin next, to the pen. I have the check that again.



Once I was satisfied I marked the position of the rail, on the ties, with a pencil. Now I can lift the rails for feeder soldering as I go along, but still easily get them back in position with help of the marks.



The rail will not sit directly on the ties but on tie plates. I use Grandt Line code 125 tie plates, and Micro Engineering small (1/4") spikes.



Keeping the rail on the previously done pencil marks, the spikes are pushed or driven in with a pair of pliers.



Here are the first few plates and spikes in place - two spikes per plate - one on each side of the rail.



Once the first rail was done, I continued with the opposite rail. Its position determined with an NMRA standards gauge



Only another 1000+ tie plates to go. It helps if you actually find this kind of work relaxing... 

[Santa Fe Guy]

Neat work Lennart.
Rod.

[svedblen]

Thanks Rod.

[nscaler711]

I have too many scales as it is... but you make me want to hop into Proto 48.... or at least 2 rail O.... but stuff is so expensive!!
almost looks G scale... or the real thing in some photos...

[ednadolski]

but stuff is so expensive!!

All things equal, you need a lot fewer individual items in the larger scale.  In terms of area, 1 car in O takes up the footprint of 8 cars in N.  So N would actually cost twice as much, for example at say $20 per car in N and $80 per car in O.   In a larger scale you can be more selective and put more attention into each item.  (Plus it's easier on the eyes) 

Ed

[nscaler711]

Yea that's true for all things equal, unless its Z scale where you get less for more :p
But @ 25 I don't have any eysight issues yet lol.

Well minus the whole near sighted part... 

[svedblen]

All things equal, you need a lot fewer individual items in the larger scale.

Very true, but the initial investment for your basic "starter set" such as an engine and a few cars, just to get up and running, is considerably heavier.

But on the other hand, after that you are basically done 

[svedblen]

No work done on the layout for a long time, mainly due to a lack of parts. One parcel with tie plates, spikes and other things never turned up, and apparently got lost somewhere in transit. It took me some time to realize and accept that, order new stuff and wait for the second parcel to come through. It eventually did, and now I can continue spiking track!

But before doing that I added some more hardware to the turnout. Not because it actually needed any, but since I could not resist the heftier look.

First I replaced the simple gauge plate I had made out of plain styrene strip with a properly bolted plate from Right-O-Way.



Then I added a second throw bar, also from RoW. The throw bar is a two piece assembly, which you CA together, with a piece of paper or tissue between the pieces to make them electrically insulated from each other. Here are the two pieces before the excess CA-soaked paper has been cut away. Of course, the gauge plate is also two insulated pieces.



And here the throw bar has been put in place.



Next I painted the new parts grimy black...



... and applied some weathering powder.

[Santa Fe Guy]

Way too cool. Luv it.

[Cajonpassfan]

Darn, I'm drooling all over my iPad...this could get expensive 
Otto

[nscaler711]

I wish he'd stop taking pics of the proto and claiming they were his. 
If he can do that type of weathering with track, imagine a locomotive and a couple cars...

[svedblen]

Thanks guys!

If he can do that type of weathering with track, imagine a locomotive and a couple cars...

Ha ha! Weathering track this way is no big deal. Just some paint and then dab on the chalk. But yes, weathering cars is on my agenda. I've done a few N scale cars, but O scale with those large flat panels? I'm not sure I dare 

For the time being, track laying seems a safer path