New 3/4" Scale Track - Part 1
Moderator: Harold_V
New 3/4" Scale Track - Part 1
Saturday was the first successful run at the Springfield, Evansville, and St. Louis Railroad. I say successful, because the first run didn’t go so well. The engine kept derailing in a lot of places. Apparently, the plastic ties “shrunk” after fastening the rails, so the gauge was too tight. I ended up spending the last 3 weeks regauging the whole track, which was not fun.
Track specifics are 3.5” gauge with 30’ minimum radius with spiral (easement) transitions from the tangents. Ruling grade running CCW is 1.10% and CW is 0.75%, at least when first built. The reason I say this, is I’ve had issues with frost heave or expansive soils in a few areas that I’ve had to try to correct, or let go. Total length of track is about 680’.
Photos are starting out by where the steaming bays will be, running CCW.
Track specifics are 3.5” gauge with 30’ minimum radius with spiral (easement) transitions from the tangents. Ruling grade running CCW is 1.10% and CW is 0.75%, at least when first built. The reason I say this, is I’ve had issues with frost heave or expansive soils in a few areas that I’ve had to try to correct, or let go. Total length of track is about 680’.
Photos are starting out by where the steaming bays will be, running CCW.
Re: New 3/4" Scale Track - Part 1
Here's the remaining pictures.
- Joe Tanski
- Posts: 321
- Joined: Wed Nov 02, 2005 5:44 am
- Location: Eden ,New York
Re: New 3/4" Scale Track - Part 1
Great looking track ,sure nice to see 3/4 coming back
Joe
Joe
- rrtrax4501
- Posts: 43
- Joined: Thu Jul 26, 2007 9:00 pm
- Location: Midwest / St louis
Re: New 3/4" Scale Track - Part 1
Man that looks really nice. Hope I get an invite soon !!!
Re: New 3/4" Scale Track - Part 1
Thanks for the compliment guys! It's been a long 3 years in the making.
Steve, you're welcome to come anytime!
Anyone with 3/4" scale, or 3.5" gauge is welcome if you're in the area, just check to make sure I'm around.
Eric L.
Steve, you're welcome to come anytime!
Anyone with 3/4" scale, or 3.5" gauge is welcome if you're in the area, just check to make sure I'm around.
Eric L.
- JBodenmann
- Posts: 3866
- Joined: Sun Oct 26, 2003 1:37 pm
- Location: Tehachapi, California
Re: New 3/4" Scale Track - Part 1
Hello My Friends
Great track, beautiful location. Is this a private track, it looks like it's in a park.
Jack
Great track, beautiful location. Is this a private track, it looks like it's in a park.
Jack
Re: New 3/4" Scale Track - Part 1
Thanks Jack! It's a private track in my backyard. Everyone in our "neighborhood" has at least 2 acres. It's an easy way for the farmers to partition their land without having to rezone it.
Eric L.
Eric L.
- Benjamin Maggi
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- Location: Albany, NY
Re: New 3/4" Scale Track - Part 1
If you adjust them now, aren't you concerned that they might expand when it gets warmer and throw the gauge out again?
"One cannot learn to swim without getting his feet wet." - Benjamin Maggi
- Building: 7.25" gauge "Sweet Pea" named "Catherine"
- Building: 7.25" gauge "Sweet Pea" named "Catherine"
- Bill Shields
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Re: New 3/4" Scale Track - Part 1
this expansion / contraction is really no surprise to those of us who live in areas that get very cold..
Too many things going on to bother listing them.
Re: New 3/4" Scale Track - Part 1
Ben,Benjamin Maggi wrote: ↑Tue Dec 01, 2020 3:32 pmIf you adjust them now, aren't you concerned that they might expand when it gets warmer and throw the gauge out again?
Yes, they will expand when it gets warmer. I know I'll have to check the gauge again in the spring. It may be something that I will have to set the gauge for a minimum "running" temperature. In our part of the country we can have a 130 degree F temperature swing from the hottest day to the coldest day, so it would be tough to set it and be able to run at anytime of the year.
There are other factors such as shrinkage and swelling of the treated lumber due to moisture content. I've learned that treated lumber is not that stable. It likes to warp and twist if not adequately braced, and depending on the board, you may still have a problem. It seems like, and I've heard this from carpenters, the new treated lumber is really bad compared to CCA treated lumber.
Eric L.
Re: New 3/4" Scale Track - Part 1
This is exactly why 3/4" scale will always be around, because its small enough to build in a reasonable sized backyard and its strong enough to pull several adults.
Beautiful track!
How about a picture and info on the engine?
Beautiful track!
How about a picture and info on the engine?
-Frank K.
Re: New 3/4" Scale Track - Part 1
Frank,
Thanks Frank! Here's a picture of the engine being steamed up at the unsuccessful run:
Engine Info:
Pennsylvania Railroad G.5.s
Const. started 1992 while in high school (oof, that made me feel old)
First run in 1995
Cylinders are from Little Engines
Drivers and engine truck wheels from Power Models
Propane fired
Eric L.
Thanks Frank! Here's a picture of the engine being steamed up at the unsuccessful run:
Engine Info:
Pennsylvania Railroad G.5.s
Const. started 1992 while in high school (oof, that made me feel old)
First run in 1995
Cylinders are from Little Engines
Drivers and engine truck wheels from Power Models
Propane fired
Eric L.