Maine Locomotive and Machine switch and siding

[Jeff Schumaker]

Brian isn’t able to be there tomorrow, nor am I, unfortunately.  James is correct on the requested work.  I’ll call in the morning with specifics.  We can also develop plans to keep the crew productive for the remainder of the day.

Brian plans two stub switches in the first 90’ or so of track.  Where that doesn’t leave room for a conventional derail, several of us devised a clever alternative- we have a 3 way stub stand, works like a de rail stand but 3 position.  It’ll be placed on the first (2 way) stub switch, and the stands 3rd position will be the normal position, set to derail away from the main.

See ya
Jason

Ingenious.

Jeff S.

[Bob Springs]

I have a 3 way stub switch on my 7 1/2 gauge Sheepscot replica layout. 
I've often thought how effective it could be as a derail when approaching from the frog end but so far, I've managed to avoid going off the track!

[Fred Morse]

I can testify that it works very well as a derailer. That's all I'm going to say.

[Bill Baskerville]

Fred,

Cleverly worded and yet informative response on so many levels.

[Allan Fisher]

Thanks Fred for not blowing me in.     ........OOPS

[Fred Morse]

I'd forgotten all about you Allen, yours was lighter.

[Bill Baskerville]

Brian plans two stub switches in the first 90’ or so of track.

So, two stub switches results in three tracks.  will they be (from East to West) beside the east side of his shop, into the east shop bay where Monson 3 was rebuilt and into the wet bay of the shop?

[Joe Fox]

As of right now, yes. That will allow him to cycle projects in and out of the shop and onto a storage track as needed.

[James Patten]

Images from today, which should be fairly informative

From the north end of the switch looking south.


Closeup of the ties.


You'll notice that Brian appears to have cut ties in half, and then used some full length ones periodically.  He also graded his approach to the building.

[Brendan Barry]

The rail was laid out on the siding today. Brian plans on spiking the rail down tomorrow.

[Wayne Laepple]

Thanks for the excellent photos, Brendan.

[John Kokas]

It's amazing what we can do now with Insta-Track!  I bet even Brian was surprised.

[Bill Reidy]

Tremendous progress today!  Thanks for posting the photos, Brendan.

I'm glad to see this project come to fruition.

[Paul Uhland]

Outstanding installation.
Glad the gantry is working so well,  the weather is cooperating, you'running a double-header work train and Brian will finish up spikework. 
I see a frog and switch stand waiting for more trackwork (still including a single-point derail?) with two, long, switch stand ties set.

Excellent pics, Brendan!

Question...why is Brian using extra long ties, every fifth tie? Those, I'm afraid, are dangerous tripping hazards, my ATSF switching days remind me.

[john d Stone]

Wow! That was quick!

Great System!