Author Topic: North Yard Project - Official Work Thread (Read 95434 times)

Dave Crow · « **Reply #45 on:** April 01, 2013, 12:24:17 PM »

For those who might be having a difficult time imagining how these pieces fit together, here is what the final product should be like, as seen in the Sheepscot Yard:

Dave Crow · « **Reply #46 on:** April 08, 2013, 07:12:27 AM »

Saturday, April 6th, saw more machining and grinding on the frog parts. I finished up the outside passes on the second and third "A" rails (1st photo). I got up the nerve to try my hand at grinding the 9/16" radius in the "B" rails so as to mate up to the notch cut in the "A" rails (second photo). I did one set at a time, then mounted the pair on the mill to shave the other outside edge to form the "point of the frog (next couple of photos).

Wayne Laepple plans to drive up to Maine for work weekend; hopefully he'll have room for at least one of the two sets I have ready.

Hope these pictures get you guys looking forward to building the North Yard!

Three sets of rails ready to mate up:

First set of rails ground to fit together:

First pair of rails set up on the mill; you can see how the point of the frog will be formed:

First set milled complete:

Second set milled complete:

Dave Crow

Stephen Hussar · « **Reply #47 on:** April 08, 2013, 11:29:22 AM »

Wow! Nice work, Dave!!

Stephen

Dave Crow · « **Reply #48 on:** April 08, 2013, 11:34:00 AM »

Thanks, Stephen!

Matthew Gustafson · « **Reply #49 on:** April 25, 2013, 12:02:45 PM »

I don't know if this is the right topic to ask this but when the turntable is built will it be powered by manpower or by levers and cranks?

Dave Crow · « **Reply #50 on:** April 25, 2013, 12:26:46 PM »

Matthew, the turntable will be an accurate reproduction of the WW&F's turntables, which were pushed around by the engine crews. So, no levers or cranks. We have a copy of the Portland Company's design for a 48-foot diameter turntable. The turntable has a lot of wheels underneath to balance the load (somewhat) so that it should be pretty easy to push the turntable.

Wayne Laepple · « **Reply #51 on:** April 29, 2013, 03:55:46 PM »

Ha. Depends on what kind of cranks you're talking about....

Bill Sample · « **Reply #52 on:** May 01, 2013, 10:26:23 AM »

From what I heard a very important point regarding the ease of operation, especially of an "armstrong" turntable, is balancing the loco correctly. An old Naugatuck RR story mentioned an engineer who didn't care for his fireman making this difficult at Winsted CT. The engineer sat on his "throne" in the cab while the fireman and brakeman pushed the turntable containing the slightly off-balance loco. Come to think of it, the engineer probably didn't care much for the brakeman either!

Paul Crabb · « **Reply #53 on:** May 02, 2013, 08:03:24 PM »

Quite a bit was accomplished on the North Yard Lead during Spring Work Weekend. There are pictures in that thread. On Friday "Heavy" rail was drilled and placed along side the lead. On Saturday Icabod was used to retrieve frogs and position them at the end of the lead. Then a frog was positioned for the "woods storage track" (my name for it). As a result of this it was decided to remove the then current "light" rail which was done using the tractor. Additionally the track leading to the frog was realigned to provide a straight section before the frog and points (I think that was the intent). Then tie installation was started. Ties of the right length had to be found or made. On Sunday the tie installation continued and the East Rail was safety spiked in place and one switch point put in its approximate position. I'll try to post some pictures that are not in the work weekend thread once I get them out of the camera.

Paul Crabb · « **Reply #54 on:** May 02, 2013, 08:55:49 PM »

Pictures;
Start of the day on Saturday

Icabod placing frogs

Rail and tie installation

Rail Installation

As of end of Sunday work

For some reason Photobucket won't resize this picture correctly. It wins again

Dave Crow · « **Reply #55 on:** May 06, 2013, 07:10:11 AM »

Paul,

Yes, we ended up changing out one extra length of rail so that the entire "woods track" switch was built with 56-pound (or 60-pound) rail and not have a transition from 50-pound in the middle of the switch. The one point shown needs to be moved farther north, but we need to install the two 10-foot long ties for the switch throw. Pieces of rail can then be cut to the proper length to connect the point to the frog. Then rail can be connected beyond the frog to continue the siding south toward the car storage building. Jason and Rick will need to survey and mark the location of the other 56-pound switch, which will diverge over toward the future roundhouse.

Once past the second "heavy" switch, the rail will transition down to 33-pound rail for Track 1 of the storage building; the diverging track off of the first switch (the one in your photos) will also transition down to 33-pound rail so as to mate with the switch parts Wayne and I are machining down here in Baltimore.

Dave Crow

Paul Crabb · « **Reply #56 on:** May 06, 2013, 10:08:37 AM »

Dave; I'll have to ping on Rick as we are both from the same town in RI and we have teamed up and traveled to the RR together previously to "stake" out track layouts. So perhaps we can pick a time to link up and lay out the next "heavy" switch. I must admit I forgot about the 10 ft ties for the switch throw but your reply reminded me that they were "discussed" and I think we dug out the ballast/gravel in their location and I somehow think the switchstand throw rod location was also marked. Hopefully some additional work will get done over the operating season so track can be built in the fall.
Paul C.

Dave Crow · « **Reply #57 on:** May 06, 2013, 11:48:56 AM »

Paul, based on conversations with Jason and Dana, I believe the intention is to get the locations of the heavy switches laid out and (possibly) constructed during the summer so that a bunch of track can be built at the Fall Work Weekend. One set of the 33-pound frog points was delivered to Sheepscot by Wayne Laepple; I should have the other two sets ready to transport north sometime this summer. Then it's up to the guys up there to complete the 33-pound frogs by making wing rails and guard rails and then riveting the various segments of rail onto a base plate, similar to a model train track switch. If I can get some of the 33-pound points machined this summer, we'll have points to mate up with the frogs; this would allow additional construction in the North Yard this fall.

Dave

Ken Fleming · « **Reply #58 on:** May 16, 2013, 09:52:17 PM »

During the Spring Work Weekend, the new switch throws were stripped except for some stuck short extensions. Need some heat to remove them. I suggest picking the machines to be used and getting them ready. Be sure to choose those that have all of their oil caps in place (some did not all caps) and not use the two odd-ball types. Also the throw rods need to be removed, inspected, prepared and stored ready for use. I think we should use a tall extensions (for the snow) and also decide on target type. A simple, round red target with switch number stenciled each side would look good. Thus someone needs be working on extensions, targets and gathering the proper hardware during this Summer. So when the installation of the switches are complete we can add the extensions, extension adapters, targets, nuts, bolts and switch light adapters (if used). Sort of like kits for switches. No last minute looking for stuff.

Mike Fox · « **Reply #59 on:** May 17, 2013, 07:51:25 PM »

No last minute looking for stuff? You are taking all the fun out of it Ken. Kind of like trying to find Joint Bars to fit the holes.

Good idea. Maybe putting all the small loose items like nuts and washers in a pail. The targets aren't as important as the hardware, and can be installed or redone any time after the switch is in.

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