Curve rail replacement project
Printed From: Southern California Live Steamers
Category: Railroad Tracks, Layouts and Rolling Stock
Forum Name: Track, Switch & Signal Construction Forum
Forum Discription: Discussion pertaining to track fabrication and techniques, installation methods and switch design as well as signal construction and control circuitry.
URL: http://www.southerncalifornialivesteamers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=85
Printed Date: Mar 20 2023 at 4:23pm
Topic: Curve rail replacement project
Posted By: Steve C
Subject: Curve rail replacement project
Date Posted: Apr 03 2010 at 10:27pm
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Today the SCLS work crew replaced 200' of rail on the outer curves. Good job guys.
SQUIRREL!!!!
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Replies:
Posted By: tom d
Date Posted: Apr 05 2010 at 10:45pm
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OK here we go Steve!
Phil C. put the word out and we got a crew together to do some track work on 4-3-10. It was a nice mid 70's weather day out at the Southern California Live Steamers and things got going around 10:30 AM or so. Steve, Mark, and Howie were there working on some of their own little projects so they were drafted. Phil, Tom, and Charlie rounded out the group and we got the needed tools gathered together.
We stopped to give Jim B. some help getting his new weed whacker going and off he went to do some much needed weed whacking but in time he was back to help with the rail replacement.
Jim had been having some derailments on the inner loop turn in front of the station. We took a look at the rail and Jim checked the gauge. It was thought to be best if we changed out the outside rail on the two, street side inner, and outer turns by the station, as the rails were greatly worn. It seems we were lucky as there was just enough (210 feet) new rail laying around to get the job done. I guess we will have to get some more as there several more spots on the layout that will need some new rail soon.
We all took turns at pulling out the old the stuff and installing new re-gauged rail using new screws. We also had a good time poking fun of each other. Phil got the level indicator car out. I had not worked with this car / tool before so it was a new thing to play with. It is a four wheel car maybe six foot long that pivots in the middle and has three pendulums on it that point out on a gages how the track is sitting. It is used to measure the side to side twist in the track as well as the grade of the run. It seemed to me to be a good time saver and fun to play with.
After some lifting and tamping the track looked good to go but I know we will have to go back over it a few more times as it settles in to keep it in good shape.
The next day was a run day so it had a good test and there was just one spot that the gage was a little too tight for one of Marks gondolas, but they just loosen the screws and it came back into gage and we had no more derailments after that. I guess we all know who's car will be the fist run of cars over any new rail we put in {Mark} and like Steve said thanks to all that helped on both days on this track project.
Tom D
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Posted By: Steve C
Date Posted: Apr 06 2010 at 3:36pm
I like my post, only took 2 seconds to read
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Posted By: tom d
Date Posted: Aug 11 2010 at 3:55pm
| Steve replaced the outer rail on the turn in front of the club house and over the trestle. |
Posted By: tom d
Date Posted: Aug 11 2010 at 4:06pm
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7-30-10 A group made up of Ray, Jim, Tim, Steve, Howie, Tom and Phil replaced the inner and outer rails and ties as needed all the way around the turn on the inner loop next to Joe's Kitchen. We used the new rail and tried some of the new joint hardware that Phil had purchased from train mountain. We had to scrape up the last of the tie stock that had been laying around the club to get this project done. After the new track has had some time to settle we will put some new boards back on the road crossing. |
Posted By: tom d
Date Posted: Jun 15 2011 at 9:03am
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6-4-11 New Jr. member Alex and Tom D replaced the outside rail on the track coming out of the station / depot just past the crossing all the way to the Crenshaw return switch. Jim Berryman stopped by and helped get the rail unhooked from the frog on the switch. Arron and Wyatt helped out and looked to have a lot of fun by running the work train back to the steaming bays to get stuff for us. This was the last of the outside rail that was needed to be replacesed for now, there are a few other switchs and small places on the main line that need the rail changed out but we are looking good for now. ------------- |