One of my initial thoughts was to name my railway the Rack and Ruin Railway and it has turned out prophetic at least as far as the rack section is concerned.
I have spent ages trying different alignments both vertical and lateral until finally I got the structure in place as I wanted.
A fundamental part of the layout is a large metal bridge which was the first thing I positioned to pass over the main track and ensure that the gradient from the start of the line was manageable by the locos.
I bought the bridge and a rack loco from someone who had used them together. The clearances for locos and coaches are very tight but on a trial run I found they were adequate.
Imagine my aggravation
when on the first test run I discovered that the baggage car , which I had not thought to test has steps which make it wider than either and I will have to remove the bridge and rebuild it!
To add to the annoyance, despite using conductive paste and Hillman clamps throughout the track conductivity is hopeless and I have several dead spots.:wits:
It has not been a good day. :crying::crying::crying:
I have spent ages trying different alignments both vertical and lateral until finally I got the structure in place as I wanted.
A fundamental part of the layout is a large metal bridge which was the first thing I positioned to pass over the main track and ensure that the gradient from the start of the line was manageable by the locos.
I bought the bridge and a rack loco from someone who had used them together. The clearances for locos and coaches are very tight but on a trial run I found they were adequate.
Imagine my aggravation
when on the first test run I discovered that the baggage car , which I had not thought to test has steps which make it wider than either and I will have to remove the bridge and rebuild it! To add to the annoyance, despite using conductive paste and Hillman clamps throughout the track conductivity is hopeless and I have several dead spots.:wits:
It has not been a good day. :crying::crying::crying:
