Colorado Narrow Gauge, TX
This layout is located near Austin, TX and is inspired by the Colorado Narrow Gauge lines. Engines are 1/20.3 live steamers and therefore, the subroadbed has to be extra-sturdy. Those engines can weigh up to 65 lbs! To provide the necessary strength, the trenches for the gravel were dug out about 8" deep and filled up to about 3" with extra coarse crashed lime stone. On top of that, a layer of 5/8" sized lime stone was applied on which the track rests. The dust within the lime stone acts as a kind of glue when it is soaked with water and securely "grabs" the track in place. The top layer of ballast is dark grey crashed lime stone at about 3/8" size to simulate the cinder ballast used on most Colorado narrow gauge lines.
I forgot how many feet mainline run we have on this layout but is large enough to run around the owner's putting green in his backyard. Track is stainless steel made by Llagas Creek in PA.
11-15-2015
The putting green as seen from the house.
The right-of-way is marked out.
11-16-2015
All trenches are filled with crushed limestone and the first track goes down.
Turnout temporarily locked in position.
11-22-2015
More track is laid and roughly ballasted. We use metal edging to retain the ballast.
11-23-2015
Most of the track is covered in its final ballast layer and is ready for brushing the ballast between the ties to lock the track in place.
11-24-2015
Just a bit of cleanup and we're done! The track buried in sand will serve a quarry.
2016
In March 2016 this customer called and said something like "Hey Ed, I just built me a barn. Can you connect it to my putting green layout?". I sure could! Here are some pictures of the plans for this follow-up project:
03-29-16
The benchwork was ready late October and we started laying track.
10-26-16
This Rio Grande K36 is a live steamer and weighs in at 65 pounds!
The track is laid on 3/4 inch Homasote to reduce running noise.
10-28-16
Looking towards the exit to the outdoor layout.
On November 11,2016 we wrapped this project up and drove home to warm and sunny Florida.
11-06-16
Here are two short clips showing test runs of my customer's engines:
