August 22, 20188 yr Author Here is an update. I know, I am slow, but had some setbacks. I am on the home stretch now. Bob.
August 23, 20188 yr That is going to be so amazing, the visual of all those arches is awe inspiring. I can relate to setbacks. Keeps raining here so I can't do any work on the dirt/rocks inside the walls. Did have one day with no rain and I put down a gravel path around it, so that helps.
August 23, 20188 yr Author Thanks Jerry, I am also designing a 24x40 patio cover to keep some of the layout dry when raining. Lots of rain down here in Fl. It will help with this hot sun we have here, Bob.
September 23, 20187 yr Author Another update. My mold slowed me down again, had to rebuild part of it. The urethane part is holding up well, but some of the wood parts don't fair well with being outside, so had to make some new wood parts. Bob.
September 24, 20187 yr That just takes your breath away, it is such a sight to see. You see the latest GR had an article on making arches? The cover is a good idea, make for more running time.
October 10, 20187 yr Author Thanks guys. I am slowing again, another mold failure and am repairing it now. The moisture sure plays rough on the wood in these molds, but after this fix, I should be good till the end. Bob.
December 1, 20187 yr Author Update: Only have 12 sections left to do. That is better than 65, almost there. I have yet been slowed down by other, have to do projects, but the track should be clear shortly, Bob.
December 2, 20187 yr Author Thanks Sean and Jerry. I have to tell the truth, as I acquired a 1937 Cadillac project that I am dividing my time with, but only work on it when the concrete is curing. That way I don't feel guilty. Bob.
January 11, 20197 yr Hi there Bob and happy new year! I hadn't followed this post since its promissing begining what an acheivement! Keep it up and you will have a great track to operate on. I have used concrete base since 1978 wit success and rather light maintenance. true I once had a very big issue with: You guessed it: Roots! One lilac tree that used to provide good shade to the depot erea grew a root between the foundations of the loco steaming bays which is a cinder block concrete structure complet with the turntable pit. There was a wooden bridge on the near end of this structure, and for a few years I had to shave off from one centimeter to an inch of the bridges length, I couldn't understand why? Then I realised that the radius of the curve where this engine terminal wa situated seemed to go bezirks, actually dipping out near the center of the curve. So one day I dug out the landfill around that part (it makes it look like Horseshoe curve like the fill on burgoon run) and sure enough at the base of the engine terminal structure there grew a root about two inches in diameter corresponding to what I had to cut out of the bridge over the years and to what had taken the curve out of alignment. I dug it out and killed the lilac tree, and never had an issue since. So beware of roots if using concret. That loco depot is a concrete structure about Four yards by two in places, imagine the force of that one root! The layout looks better without the treen now since it is all visible at one glance, but I miss the shade... Plenty of other lilacs all around here they grow like weeds. The photos give a before and after story. The middle one is just to show the size of that concrete structure!
January 11, 20197 yr Author Hello, it's nice to hear from you. Well, just 7 sections to go and about a 5 foot straight section, probably a removable bridge so that I can get to the center of the layout with a mower or other tools. Yes, I have trees near the layout, but so far no problems. This layout will weigh about 18,000 lbs. when finished. I might call it the 9 ton railway. Talk to you soon, Bob.
January 14, 20197 yr Bob .. I'm waiting for the finished pics with one of your train on it... I bet your spending too much time on that Cadillac ..
January 14, 20197 yr Author I am still working on the layout, but you are right, i am spending more time on the Cadillac, but they will eventually both get done. What are you working on?, Bob.
January 15, 20197 yr Grand kid ..One Year today actually .. Horses.... Keeping everyone happy..... Ha Ha Ha Very little train other than x-mas theme..
February 22, 20197 yr Author Another update. Only 5 more sections to pour and then will have to figure out what to do about a 5 foot straight section. Want it to be light weight for easy removal. Almost there. Well then there is track laying. Has anyone laid 10 foot radius track without pre- bending the track? If I do that what will be the downside? Bob.
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