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What is the J&C Studios O Gauge Archive?
(Guest)   JCS Archive   Table & Benchwork   20 x 40 Multi Level
 
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20 x 40 Multi Level
ChiloquinRuss
Joined: Oct 24, 2012
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posted Oct 24, 2012: 
This is a joint project with myself and a good friend. We are both retired and this is going to be for us to enjoy. It is very loosely based on the DRGW Chama to Antonito during the summer of 1940.

First the track plan:








 
ChiloquinRuss
Joined: Oct 24, 2012
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posted Oct 24, 2012: 
Here's some early build shots, please excuse the pix, they are a little on the dark side:












 
ChiloquinRuss
Joined: Oct 24, 2012
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posted Oct 24, 2012: 
The roadbed is now complete and so its on to cork and track, wireing, lots and lots of testing, scenery, and of course the rest of the woodwork like fascias and valances so that we can finally have some light in the room. Russ















 
JohnBoy
Joined: May 14, 2008
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posted Oct 25, 2012: 
Looking good - wish I had that much space!

John
 
ChiloquinRuss
Joined: Oct 24, 2012
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posted Oct 25, 2012: 
It was a challenge to get a track plan that matched the room, for instance a stair well, two doors and a window for starters! It was always going to be Chama to Antonito summer of 1940 so it was then a matter of figuring out how much track we wanted for the two of us to maintain and to run on. We have way more trains than the layout will hold when done but it will be enough for running and maintaining. Thanks for the comments. Russ
 
ChiloquinRuss
Joined: Oct 24, 2012
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posted Mar 19, 2013: 
Here's a couple of update photos. We have track from the entrance to Chama over to the backside of Helix Two. Preliminary wireing in and working. Thanks for looking. Russ













 
JohnBoy
Joined: May 14, 2008
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posted Mar 20, 2013: 
Very nice. How did you shape those L-brackets mounted on the wall?

John
 
ChiloquinRuss
Joined: Oct 24, 2012
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posted Mar 23, 2013: 
John, I have a cnc wood router. The entire layout is designed around what I can cut on the ShopBot machine. The roadbed is also cut this way and joined using Kreg pocket screws. Russ















 
ChiloquinRuss
Joined: Oct 24, 2012
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posted Feb 20, 2014: 
It has been awhile since I posted anything. We have been running trains on the main level for a month or two. Today we finished laying the track at Cresco and should have it runable by the weekend. Russ





Lead into Cresco off the main, Cresco to the left:




Cresco section house on the backside of the run around track:




Looking down the track at Cresco, view from main entrance door:


 
ChiloquinRuss
Joined: Oct 24, 2012
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posted Feb 21, 2014: 
Running trains on the main level. Russ





Track around the backside of the roundhouse




The rest of roundhouse loop with coaling tower in the distance. The black rectangle to the right is for the machine shop.




Twin bridges as you leave Chama on your way upgrade to Cumbres:


 
JohnBoy
Joined: May 14, 2008
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posted Feb 21, 2014: 
Russ this is spectacular, and I really appreciate your keeping this topic running with the progress. I also have a keen interest in your equipment, the CNC router, and now I see you're getting into 3D printing - super cool!
 
Mark Boyce
Joined: Nov 3, 2012
Topics: 0 Replies: 17 Topics: 0
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posted Mar 9, 2014: 
Thank you Russ for sharing the photos. It is great you have the neat up to date tools to make the work faster and more uniform.
 
ChiloquinRuss
Joined: Oct 24, 2012
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posted Mar 28, 2014: 
The news says its now spring time, soooo during today's SNOW we had time to work on the layout. Made good progress on a couple of key points. Realigned the Chama mainline which helped move a really hard to reach troublesome turnout to a new easy to reach location. Second started laying the Chama yard throat. Lastly hung the first string of LED layout lights, and I think they are going to work out pretty good. Russ

Realignment:




Chama yard throat:




New LED light strips:


 
ChiloquinRuss
Joined: Oct 24, 2012
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posted Apr 18, 2014: 
A little more progress on Chama Yard. Still need to connect some track but the good news is underneath all that track are switch machines! Just need some wire and we are good to go! Russ
 
Penmaker1
Joined: Apr 22, 2014
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posted Apr 22, 2014: 
Nice work, maybe one day I will have something that nice. My question is what is the diameter of the helix? Thanks.
 
ChiloquinRuss
Joined: Oct 24, 2012
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posted Apr 23, 2014: 
Well Helix One is basically just about 84 inches or 42 radius but has long entrance and exit runs that ease the curves some what. Helix Two is a little more complicated and is actually just a slight bit smaller. So it is between 72 and 80 inches diameter or 36 and 40 radius. The grade for both is a touch over 2% with minimal ON30 clearances. The subgrade is 3/4 inch cabinet ply. Helix Two is complicated in that there are multiple turnouts at the bottom and the top of the helix. So the turnouts must be made at grade then level off once clear of the helix itself or vice versa in the case of the bottom ones. The design was fun but building it was a pain! Next for Helix Two comes track as I have already corked most of it. Helix One is up and running and works quite well. Helix One is the downgrade into the storage area under Chama Yard. We now call it Durango with a branch to Silverton (where the workbench area is is). Thanks for checking in. I've attached a chart here to help with calcs for clearance. You have the radius/dia on the left, the grade percent across the top and the clearance in the chart. Have fun. Russ



 

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