Pacific Railway & Navigation

[Cajonpassfan]

Yea, just don’t have any derailments is all. Simple
Otto

[MDW]

Right?! 
Piece of cake

[MDW]

Making progress on the 2nd deck as roadbed and track work are now extended from Belding through Mayo and into the Wolf Creek peninsula......hard to imagine just yet, but this my ubiquitous “tunnel-bridge-tunnel” and “turn back loop trestle into a tunnel” portion of the layout!   And best of all, all true to the prototype.   

There are five crossings of the Salmonberry River where I’ve filed off the lower flange of Peco code 55 track to join with sections of ME code 55 that will eventually sit on Central Valley truss bridge decks - if and when I can ever procure those kits.....

The fatter hunk of roadbed on the peninsula is the base of the Wolf Creek Trestle.  I’m about ready to cut that out and start my styrene version - curved and on a grade - should be fun.







Michel

[Angus Shops]

Thanks for the update. This is going to be awesome!
Geoff

[Scottl]

Just catching up on this thread and layout.  Great stuff, I'll be following with interest.

[CRL]

Just a safety recommendation… Add an Atlas Rerailer track section on each end of the bridge to be sure all locos & cars are not derailed before entering the bridge. You can cut the road crossing sides if with a razor saw to make it easier to disguise.

[MDW]

Thanks for the tip CRL.   Do you think that there is a derailment risk even with the different rail types connected with rail joiners & everything properly aligned?

Michel

[CRL]

@MDW - It’s not the risk of derailment on the bridge, it’s the derailment that occurs elsewhere (helix) that you don’t notice until something comes off the rails on the bridge. The rerailer on each of the approaches would help nudge a derailed car back onto the track before it hits the bridge. Murphy’s Law says if it’s coming off, it will be in the helix or on the bridge.

The 1:1 railroads use the guide rails on bridges to prevent derailed cars from coming off the track. Most modeled guard rails aren’t functional enough to actually work.

[MDW]

Got it!   Adding re-railers at the top & bottom of the helices is on the to-do list.
Thanks @CRL

Michel

[CRL]

I’d also have one on the approach to each end of the bridge.

[Tad_T]

What’s the radius and the grades on your helixes?

[MDW]

Hi-
I’ve got 3 helices all built with Kato Unitrack supported by metal angles.  Each helix is a different height with a different number of turns, but all three use 15” radius unitrack with grades ranging from 2.1% to 2.5%.

Michel

[Tad_T]

Hi-
I’ve got 3 helices all built with Kato Unitrack supported by metal angles.  Each helix is a different height with a different number of turns, but all three use 15” radius unitrack with grades ranging from 2.1% to 2.5%.

Michel

Thanks.

Looking at your helix design, I was thinking that if a feller maybe used the Unitrack viaduct curve pieces that would give him derail and plunge protection.

What do you think?

[davefoxx]

Thanks.

Looking at your helix design, I was thinking that if a feller maybe used the Unitrack viaduct curve pieces that would give him derail and plunge protection.

What do you think?

Aren't the Kato viaduct pieces superelevated?  If so, that's probably not a good idea in a helix, because it might increase the odds of stringlining a train.

Hope this helps,
DFF

[Steveruger45]

Aren't the Kato viaduct pieces superelevated?  If so, that's probably not a good idea in a helix, because it might increase the odds of stringlining a train.

Hope this helps,
DFF

The double viaduct curves with concrete ties are super elevated.  The single ones not.