The railroad has made
it to the second river crossing with the completion of connector #5 and connector #6. The rubber factory switching area is complete as is the interchange with the Akron and Barberton Belt RR. The railroad is growing!
[EDIT] Oops, forgot Waldo. Locator map added.
What model railroad is complete without a dramatic high bridge crossing of a deep ravine? None of course. My big bridge scene occurs where the AC&Y crosses the west branch of Rocky River and River Styx Road just east of Medina Ohio. Here is the Google map if you are interested. Or how about a screenshot from Bing:
The houses and golf course weren’t there in 1969. It was a picturesque wooded area.
Connector 6 forms one approach to the bridge. Here I used a 4 ft level as a straightedge to make sure the bridge track would be straight and both approaches are aligned straight as they meet the bridge.
With the bridge alignment set, building the connectors was straightforward.
1. Secure the connector section in position once the modules on both sides are complete:
2. Form, trim, and lightly file rail ends of the flex track:
3. Slide rail joiners fully onto rail ends:
4. Run and spread a bead of caulk:
5. Place flex track in position secured with masking tape, slide rail joiners onto mating rails:
6. Lay short pieces of cutoff 1by lumber on track center line, add weight, dry overnight:
7. Repeat the process for each track:
8. Remove the connector, build it out on the workbench:
9. Paint and clean rails:
(wrong connector pics I know but you get the idea)
10. Final placement of connector with all fasteners installed, slide rail joiners into place, set foam:
11. Trim wire lengths, solder lugs, complete electrical connections from module to connector:
Piece of cake, right? Nothing to it!
I am going to skip over the viaduct for the time being as building the bridge will be a project in and of itself. Next I am moving on to module #7 as I make my way towards the Lapeer module. A few more build pics of connectors 5 and 6 for you…
Looking great Alan. Thanks for the updates.
I always enjoy your updates. Great progress on the railroad.
Alan, You have made great progress since my last visit. Fantastic work. The detail in the project and your coverage of the process is top notch. I also envy your ability to be home spending time on your hobby while I am in yet another hotel resturant. Lucky fellow.
Such is the life of a TC, eh Chuck? 7 years of hotel restaurants and airport concourses was enough for me. I don’t know how you’ve done it as long as you have. Travel safe.
Thanks for stopping by the LK&O Railroad!