Thanks! I just go to HD or Lowe's and pick through the 1x2 (inside members) and 1x4 (outside frame) for the straightest ones. . Like you said inexpensive. It's fairly light too as I can turn it upside down myself to work on the underside wiring. I just place it on one side and lean it against a wall like a painting. No more soldering on my back!
Oh, HD also has long drill bits. I bought a 1/8" x 12" one (Irwin brand at the time) for like $5. Super useful for drilling through the thick foam. Less tearing than using a rod and poking through. 1/8" drill bits are usually only 2" or so long. : D
Would the Kato 20-520 315mm (12-3/8") Radius Single Track Curved Viaduct Track provide suitable equipment clearance for a North American freight railroad? I'm guessing that 86' equipment would overhang and hit the viaduct sides? I can't quite find a good photo of the piece on the Internet, but I'm also guessing that the viaduct's appearance is of one designed for light rail, not heavy freight. Any guidance is welcome. Thanks!
I have some in a box out in the train shed. I will try to dig them out and post pictures tomorrow. When I was playing with it, had no issues with any of my named trains.
Dug it out, and just set up a curve on top of the JACALAR yard (love Unitrack for being able to do things easily). Tested with some articulated Daylight cars; Cal Train bi-level commuter cars, and Kato intermodal Gunderson MAXI-IV Well Cars. First the Daylight. There are three of the 20-520 curves with a straight viaduct piece at each end. This shot gives you an overview of what this looks like. As anyone would expect, at 12.75" radius, the cars do hang funny. But, they run through this just fine (from when I did run with this track and this train) Here is an overhead shot, showing how close to the inside wall the cars are getting Here is a side angle One can run, but you don't want to use for any rail fan photos
Next - the CalTrain Nippon Shinohara Bi-level commuter cars Again very close to the inner viaduct wall, much more pronounced over hang. Rolls through freely
Now for the Gunderson's. These are a bit dicier, they actually do not touch the walls, but are significantly closer With out the containers, it is very easy to see how these cars really are not meant for this small a radius and... with containers
PERFECT pictures Rick -- thanks very much. I think this bridge will work. I'm working on some alternate track plans and your photos are a huge help. You captured your Unitrack double crossovers too and I'm now able to study these as well. Again, I very much appreciate your time in making this excellent post!
One addvantage with the Kato track is can set track together without attaching. Real easy to make any changes. When happy can attach.
Although not in a prototypical layout. The crossovers would be staggered to permit all lines access. the current arrangement doesnt allow either extreme edge track to be accessed via the central link. regards dave
Nothing prototypical about the JACALAR’s yard. The three tracks next to the edge stub end just past the last crossover; was just a cheat that allowed me to get equipment out of there if the ladder was blocked
I've been wondering about this too, including how the occupancy detection works to change signal aspects when the train is in distant blocks. The signal looks a little bit klunky, but it might be fun to set one up. I read from DCC guys that it's incompatible, but that's not a problem for DC me.