New Bridge

[ScaleCraft]

Getting closer to double track all the way. This is the last bit, but other stuff will be moved and/or re-aligned as it gets to functioning.






Wiring in safeties now. More photos in a bit.

[ScaleCraft]

[ScaleCraft]

Safeties are in, light engines run across bridge. Finishing up east end trackage, this weekend I should be able to run all the way around double-tracked.

[G3750]

Looking pretty good!

George

[ScaleCraft]

Always wanted a double-tracked main line. Last three pieces of track in this afternoon, then a full-on test of EB Main.

[ScaleCraft]

Have to get some more photos later and post them. All track in, last switch in, wires soldered on, cleaned rails, tested light engines from the old yard throat, across the new bridge, new track, to new switch on the end of the old passing siding...and I am now capable of two trains on double track. Only took me 65 years to do that.
Supposedly, when Bill's NP line is dust (this month) I get the two All-Trols, so I'll have three, one for each main, one for yards and roundhouse.

[ScaleCraft]

Before shot. The old yard lead to the old yard in in the foreground, that track on the mainland was lifted and dragged straighter for the bridge approach. You can see the original (lower) mainline bridge against the door.
The new second main bridge is this side of that one.

This is the new bridge installed and functional from the same (roughly) vantage point:

This is the new trackage at the east trestle approach. The right and top tracks are the same, as is the switch in that line, and the curve dropping off the switch for the crossover. The second track from the top is the new bridge approach.

First revenue eastbound just starting up (headlights on):

[ScaleCraft]

Continuing on, the ends of the three tracks on the old yard behind the passenger station have been lifted. Ballast loosened, tracks up, cleaned and ready for re-lay...ballast being herded to a place for reclamation:


The tunnel in the corner (two tracks) needs work. The curves are like 031, and LONG trains end up piled up on their sides inside of said tunnel. Track out, cluster of switches at the east end removed, curve re-aligned and back in the bore for respiking. The is of the end of the old yard and the twin tracks into the tunnel portals. The new high speed double track main will be laid outside the tunnel, and across the end of the old yard, necessitating removal of the track. The yard will be relaid once the mains are in and functional to the edge of the main line clearance:


And while all of THAT was going on, work progressed on the branch line engine shed and turntable. The brick safety walls are in, concrete pit walls cleaned and and cracks patched. Still have to clean the debris from the bottom of the pit, but we're getting there:

[chuck]

I like the new alignment.

I also like the way the turntable is set up. Most turntables eat up a ton of space (round house). Yours is more like an armstrong unit to turn engines where there wasn't much space (e.g. old Erie unit at Spring Valley).

One question. What happens to the old elevated line along that wall? Will it just be abandoned?

[ScaleCraft]

Turntable is advertised as air operated...connect to train air line to run it...one step up from Armstrong. Hence now "bridge" for power.

Upper line....if I drop the bridge in, it still works. There is an old section of main line that once it pops through the natural rock tunnel portal across from the old station, it will start to climb....and either all the way around the basement to access the upper mine line or a switchback. All planned to make it work. If I switchback, it will come in to the other side of the mine, and the upper level track will become a drill track for switching off the backside of the mine lead.

[chuck]

Upper track is still usable you may want to consider an arch replacement. Under arch like Stony Creek



or Nicholson's viaduct




or over arch like Hellgate



That's a nice sized gap and a bridge like that would play off it well. The "bridge" can be cosmetic (styrofoam/Masonite) with the load bearing being 1x's under the track.

[Steamfan77]

Nice track work Dave. The changes look great, and I'm sure you'll be happier running the new setup. Thanks for posting.

Andy

[rogruth]

More! Soon! I hope.

[ScaleCraft]

I finished the single track in the corner tunnel. Ran an A-N NW2 through it.
Pulled the now unused under board Tenshodo switch machines and mounts out for re-use elsewhere.
Sorting out where the track for the new double main will actually lie (it will cross a bit of a pop-up area).
This is a shot from the stairs towards the east portal of the corner tunnel, with the NW2 just exiting. The green long gon is on the old line that will go eventually to the upper level.

This is the old west portal. Will get a new single portal, and fixed scenery bits. The orange balsa boxcar on the right is on a dead spur, switch was at the portal, now removed. The spur will either come out or be reversed.

Shot of the east portal with the NW2, showing the pop-up access area. The new tracks will cut across the toe of the mountain to the right of the pop-up. The blank spot in the support was an arch to support one of the lines, made up of old pieces of the cut up portals. I will re-use it elsewhere.

This is where the old line branches to the right and through the natural rock tunnel portal.

This shows the old double track in front of the station. The train with the caboose is the new eastward main, there will be a switch just about where the caboose is, and the eastward new main will come directly towards the camera from there. The line of boxcars to the left of the caboose are on a track that will become the new westward main, will be moved to the left a bit to maintain clearance. To the left of that is the old station house track, again, move to the left, and a switch installed. The old Walthers gas-electric is marooned on the end of that track now.

This is a shot of the outside door and the opening where the old and new bridges reside, removed for access.

[rogruth]

So the "outside door" can be used? That is why the bridges are removable?