Saturday, January 12, 2008

Spline Roadbed Review


This is a cutaway view of my spline roadbed. I used 8 pieces of 1/4" x 3/4" hardboard. Others cut the ballast profile into the hardboard, I chose to lay cork roadbed on top which will keep a uniform surface for track laying from the spline to plywood surfaces. The cork is attached with liquid nails to the splines.This technique is new to me and after getting used to it I found it makes the curves transition nicely and is very solid after all the sections are glued together. Once the first two sections on a curve are glued together it holds the curve! The only issue you would have with it is small radius curves. Mine are 24" throughout and I have one section that will not be scene that is 20" for a short section. The strips will break if not adequately supported or held to the radius on these small curves.

News Flash - Work Crews Near Completion

Portland Press Herald, January 12, 2008 -

Work crews have completed the sub road bed for all Portland and Rochester trackage and have completed most of the roadbed grading in preparation of laying track. With only a small amount of work left on the B&M interchange track, crews should be completed by the end of the day.

Portland and Rochester Chief Operating Officer, Cameron Green, stated; "The speed of the crew has taken management by surprise and the delivery of rail and ties is not scheduled until mid spring. We are working with our bank to release funds to purchase at least some of the material to begin mainline track installation."