Civil Engineering - Railroad Style 


The results of my Thursday night train group taught me some civil engineering, railroad style. 

As the host and owner of my layout, I always set out what I want to do when Train Night is at my home. This time was no exception. I planned to install the homasote roadbed on top of the plywood subroadbed that was finished earlier. I had called my friend Brian that evening and asked if he would bring his SmartLevel. This level has an electronic display that can tell you the grade in percent. Its a really cool tool. So I thought we'd check the grade on the way down to the hidden return loop. I calculated it at about 2.7%. Not terrible, but probably on the high side. We stuck the level on the plywood and it read, 3.5%, ouch! So we decided, or rather they convinced me, that we should do a little railroad civil engineering easing of the grade. We proceeded to unfasten all the risers and even a couple extra back towards the loop. We ended up easing the grade to about 2.4 - 2.5%, I'll be much happier with operations in the future. They all kidded me about my CAD software, and the fact that I myself am an engineer, though I'm a mechanical engineer in my defense.

Here's a photo of the reestablished grade.


I also had in the plan to have the guys start the lower level benchwork under the Meramec River on the far wall. There actually is only one turnout in this length, and I wanted to place the Digitrax system on a shelf underneath this level. They did a great job.

 

Posted: Sun - April 10, 2005 at 10:03 PM          

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