Hi Joe,
Amazing co-incidences between the problems and solutions we
both appear to have. i.e. raising roadbed 18" to achieve
a 30" elevation against a path.
I worked the problem from opposite direction. I
did not want track at ground level in front of house or 3'
high either. So compromise was 18" in front of house,
and 36" at the side of the house for steamup bays.
Dirt based roadbed:- Initially 60% of my track
was sitting on a dirt based roadbed. But the last 40% needed
to be on a wood trestle structure. I found
myself spending more time releveling the dirt roadbed than
completing rest of the track.
So cleared all the dirt roadbed out, and rebuilt up on 1"
plywood sheeting, (sitting on 5" x 3" redwood decking),
covered in 3/16" felt and
overlaid with 1" square redwood spars for track base.
After 300feet, and almost three rebuilds, when time came
time to join up both ends, track height variance was less than
1/4"..
At the moment 50% is double track, the
rest single. Makes for interesting track control with guests. But
a complete double track is in the works. (And
I have permission from the supervisor of tracks and gardens!).
I took almost 2 years to complete my track, working
weekends only. So you will have
plenty of time for contemplating options.
Keep us all appraised.
Tony D.
IAt 06:51 AM 3/1/01 -0500, Joe Betsko wrote:
>Tony,
>
>My initial plan was to integrate a layout with a garden in my immediate
>back yard. Incidentally, my backyard extends another 300 ft. beyond the
>tracks. I do plan to put a more utilitarian and elevated trackage along
>my right property line that will have a reversing loop around my green
>shed and another in the back woods.
>
>I intend to grade the access to the operator's path so that it is not
>like falling into a ditch as much as possible. I would have liked to
>elevated it in a way my wife would approve. However, I have, on the
>left hand side, a detached garage for which I have to allow for side
>door access. Hence, the compromise was struck for the limited
>operator's path on just one side.
>
>I have previously commented on digging into a somewhat level concrete
>surface. I tend to believe that it is the old septic tank (yuck) and
>not a tomb holding treasure to pay for the Aster Allegheny.
>
>Because of this surface, I will have to raise the roadbed by 12 to 18
>inches to achieve at least a 30 inch elevation along the path. And I
>prefer for this setting a dirt-based roadbed. Okay, it's going to be a
>lot of trial and error.
>
>Initially, I was curious whether I was the only one aside from the
>author of the cited Garden Railways article to dig a hole for an
>operator's pit or path?
>
>
>SNIP:
>Anthony Dixon wrote:
> >
> > Hi Joe and all,
> > I agree on the raised tracks issue. But also suggest its
> > a matter of "horses for course,s".
> > I also looked at the ditch digging idea,s and wrote them
> > off very quickly.
> > But no two landscapes are identicle, so maybe there are reasons
> > to dig ditches for some
> > layouts. I suggest much more convenient to achieve the eyelevel
> > view by building up, not digging down. Also the drainage
> > problems are eliminated....But sometimes to keep the
> > rest of the family happy, the track should not
> > be too intrusive. Also suggest easier for guests to step over
> > a low track, than risk falling into a ditch?.
> > I suggest the bottom line is to have a track immediately
> > at hand 24 hours a
> > day, which suits the owners pre-requisites, and can still be
> > comfortably utilised
> > and enjoyed by friends and associates.
> > Tony D.
> >
> > At 03:48 PM 2/27/18 -0500, Jim Curry wrote:
> > >Joe:
> > >
> > >My layout is elevated all the way around. With an undulating yard I vary
> > >from 6" to 44" off the ground with the main steaming area 24"-30" up. No
> > >site work necessary!
> > >
> > >Jim
> > >
> >
>
>--
>Regards,
>Joe Betsko
>Pennsylvania USA
>
>Bala Cynwyd Railway: http://jsb.pennsy.home.att.net
>Primer for Novice Live Steamers: http://www.gardensteamers.com/tips.html
>Share Live Steaming Tips: http://www.gardensteamers.com/exchange.html
>
>iMac - Hey, I don't do windows!
