Building the Pinacle Creek Mining & Timber Co. RR

[Trussrod]

Originally Posted by HOexplorer

You've had some sneak peeks of the new bridge. Here's the finished product. As usually since it is on private land out of control of 1931 Alaskan regulators is it built from logs by the miners and lumberjacks themselves. This one is more involve, but I know it will hold up the 'load!'

The bridge from the tipple will be a more typical trestle bridge because it crosses over a mainline track. Jim

Say HO EXP,
I'm curious about the switch/turnout shown in the picture. It appears to be some type of stub switch yet it shows the Left hand stock rail carrying through and connected to the outer Left hand rail as well as the Right hand Stock rail which also carries through to the Right hand stock rail and connected to it forming an auto derail?

Was this intentional as I don't see any points in this turnout but it doesn't look like a working stub switch either but they were used in logging quite a bit as no points were required.

[HOexplorer]

David, Thanks for the question. This turnout like almost all the rest on the layout had to be #4's because of the room size. The regular track is all Atlas Code 83. The only #4's I could find were Peco 100 insulfrogs. Package numbers are 91 and 92 for left or right.

I've never modeled HO before so I made the best use of what I could find available. This is DCC and these insulfrogs do just fine for me.Also since this photo highlites the bridge the turnout does in fact join a thru track that is not present at this time. Hope this answers your question. Again, thanks for the visit, Jim

[Lionel fan]

Nice work.

[HOexplorer]

Thanks, Lionel fan.

Here is the finished trestle work (nearly finished!) to the ore tipple. Scenery is back in place and the corner of the nearly destroyed ore tipple is put back together.

Photography is a very effecient way to check your work. I checked the trestle bents a number of times to see if they were correct. This 'checkup' photo shows they are not. One piece failed to connect and slid down its hole. Don't know how I missed it??
Now I know what is wrong and I can fix it in 30 seconds. I'm glad some sharp eyed guest didn't notice it this weekend. Jim

[tootnkumin]

Apart from the little "hiccup" you've pointed out (may not have even noticed) that is another fantastic scene. One of the things that makes it look so real is the treatment you have given the timbers of the tipple, the colors just are so right.

[HOexplorer]

Thanks Toot, All is repaired now. As for the tipple. All the wood was dyed with weathering solutions. After that some wood would get an extra dip. Some would get a light brushing of brownish color. I assembled the tipple with no regard as to color.

The miners would have picked the next board off the wood pile and so did I. After the glue has dried I would add a touch up of weathering powders here an there. I happy you like what you see. Jim

[HOexplorer]

A Reach Too Far: I'm not usually one to quibble about a 36 inch reach into the layout. I'm 5'11" with a pretty good reach. But, we have a problem, one that must be addressed before I can continue with the left side of the layout.

I usually get out the two-step stool and simply reach over the layout. This time I will not be able to brace myself on the layout because of scenery issues. I need to get to that turnout on the upper track. This photo shows that it is 36 inches to the new edge of the layout. Simply too far to reach. So I'm going to have to build one of those manual push/pull lever deals. I could electrify the turnout, but I'm not keen on the idea. Never done one of these before so it should be a bit interesting. Jim

[waltr]

Jim,
Check my build thread for cable turn-out controls.
I know you'll figure out something that works.

[joed2323]

waltr-could you go over alittle more in detail on what you actually used and how you control those turnouts, from the picture i dont fully understand how you hooked it up.

Ive seen it done using piano wire and using a tiny tube, even this method i didnt understand how piano wire pushes the turnout, i understand how it pulls it

Sorry if im stupid here, and sorry jim for eating up your thread with a dumb question...

I actually need to make a bunch of these since i have alot of different turnouts behind other tracks that i would end up knocking cars off the tracks reaching over to flip the ground throw, since all i use is ground throws (the budget way)

[HOexplorer]

Thanks Waltr, I went through your whole thread. It's a good one. Your turnout switch idea is one I looked at and figured it was too tough for my pea brain. As always I try to do the improbable with easy to procure items for the minimum of cost. I think my switch machine will be less than a gallon of gas.

I'm going to go with Joe's tube idea. I saw how to do it years ago but never did it. As usual I will do it my way and if it works then maybe I've discovered something new? I don't have piano wire in my plan so you guys will have to wait a day and see what happens. Thanks, Joe, no worries. Jim