Installing the ramp

 The long ramp installation 

After my ramp testing, it was time to install.

Still wearing reminents of Genesee & Wyoming livery, SSR CLF2 awaits in Junee for its next assignment - probably a grain train

The ramp is to go behind the future Bomen station area

A string line was attached to the wall -  rising from the staging yard, and extending to Shepherds

The brackets were just touching the string line.

The white plank was then secured to the brackets with screws from below.  Easier said than done - very awkward to drive in the screws 

A wooden block installed at the bottom of the ramp. This block is also sloped with spacers. 

Track on the ramp is just placed prior to securing the track to the double crossover (out of sight).  

Preparing the track.

Electrical connections around track joiners is one of those tasks that is mind numbing, but to rely on just the track joiners for electrical connections is a recipe for frustrations later.  So, before the track on the ramp was installed, I soldered a wire jumper to the ends of the rail, around the joiner.  

This was on the staging track, but the process was repeated for the ramp track segments

The wire I used. Flexible, and rated at 3Amp

Wire stripper is essential.  I have owned this for over 30 years

Foam roadbed

At the bottom of the ramp, there was a need to raise the track from the double crossover to the wooden board.  I had some scrap blue foam, which I sliced into strips, and glued into position

I needed to pin the strips with nails whilst the white glue dried

Never have too many clamps

After shaping and sanding, track installed off the Atlas rerailers.

DCC Concepts Power base installed under the track starting at 2 metres up the ramp.  The 6 lengths of flex track prewired with jumper wires, placed onto the power base.  There are a few rail expansion gaps between the lengths of flex track.  The contractor engine pictured is a tribute to days of olde. 

 The end of the ramp is just shy of 17cm above the staging yard, but will continue upwards around the Shepherds loop.   Something that I hope to start before I host the NMRA Div2 meeting on July 19th

Some other activities

Whilst I had the bench saw out to reduce the width of one of the white planks, I cut a shelf from surplus timber, for one of the cupboards for the kitchenette bench. 

There were no holes in the cupboard for the shelf supports, so I made up a height jig, and drilled the 5mm holes at a consistant height

Some essential supplies stocked, ready for the meeting

Conclusion

This post should should have happened a few weeks ago, but a combination of non railway activities, and a bout of Covid has delayed things somewhat.  But progress, is progress.

Until next time, build a model or two