Model Railroad Update 103 - Building Hell Gate 1 (Progress Update)

I enjoyed a long holiday weekend and did a few things on the layout like got started on Hell Gate and Hell Gate Pass. I promise I won't get bogged down operating the layout without moving forward!
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[@thecnwmondovilinepaulscota7304]

Looking good, Dennis. Remember, layouts don't give us problems, only challenges and opportunities. Or something like that. 😀😀

[@OtterCreek]

@@thecnwmondovilinepaulscota7304 True words Paul.

[@jessenoklahoma]

Amazing layout, love the olden days appeal, thanks for sharing

[@OtterCreek]

Thanks for watching! Great to see a fellow Oklahoman visit the channel!

[@bernardc2553]

Wow Dennis gezz your just kicking butt on your Masterpiece, Oh that overhang Id just cut furring strips to make the facial come out right hope to see you Saturday my friend awesome work as usual❤

[@OtterCreek]

@@bernardc2553 Thanks Bernard, yeah I’m not worried about the fascia at this point I’ll get it figured out one way or another.

[@bernardc2553]

@OtterCreek Oh I sure you will buddy lol

[@lynnmccurdythehdmmrc2561]

Dennis, wife and family watching, while having dinner

[@OtterCreek]

Thanks for tuning in Lynn!

[@vincenthuying98]

Dear Dennis, on the bowing wall behind the time saver section; maybe it seems a bit more work, but why not change out those lateral stringers with ones which alleviate for the bow in the wall and make the front of your fascia completely straight. Think you’re right on track with the hell gate base lowered at about 2”. Just from the viewing angle in the vid such a lower approach will indeed help tie the sections together in a more smooth way. Love the temporary spline configuration, those curves definitely look great, can only imagine what they will look like when fully sceniced. Surely, such an alignment will create a great deal of visual interest. Looking forward to seeing your progress in next episodes. Cheerio

[@OtterCreek]

Thanks Vincent! I'll figure out something for the fascia when the time comes to make the decision.

[@stxhtic]

Can't wait to play with the complete setup

[@OtterCreek]

I'm glad you enjoyed the op sessions!

[@derekalexander4030]

Hi Dennis, I’m sure that you built your benchwork square and the wall is forcing the problems at the front, so I think the easiest and most practical way to fix it is to shim the back where it meets the wall. The other issue could be resolved by joining the two types of track before it goes under the top. I’m sure that you will figure it out. The only suggestion you ever took of mine was the numbering of the towns to number the trains, so we know it will be thought through by you and you will come up with the perfect solution. I’m really enjoying your build and look forward to what you decide.

[@OtterCreek]

Thanks Derek! Finding solutions on my own is one of my favorite part of the hobby. I've already built one of two dual gauge turnouts that will fix the routing of the standard gauge (I hope). I'll address the fascia when I'm ready. Shims seem the easiest solution.

[@geraldstewart]

Dennis, couldn't you shim the benchwork under the timesaver from the wall with some 1X4 blocks, to give you space to make facia even? Great update video. Looking Great. Keeping a functional dual gauge track would be ideal. 3 rail looks so cool.

[@OtterCreek]

I'm sure there will be more than one way to deal with it. I'll figure something out, I'd like it to appear seamless, but still be removable. Thanks Gerald!

[@mysticrailroad]

interesting vid Dennis, enjoyed it :)

[@OtterCreek]

Glad you enjoyed it John!

[@sierge1]

Hi Dennis. Wow, I had to watch this video several times to fully digest your problem with the Timesaver and Hell Gate I agree with extending the dual gauge track because what you already have laid on the Timesaver does not look abandoned but in daily use. What really concerns me is the area between the Timesaver and Hell Gate. It is a little hard to see just how long that area is in the video but it appears to be somewhat short. I am concerned about how are you going to be able to do the scenery transition between them. Other wise another great video.😄

[@OtterCreek]

There are so many options to consider. Scenery doesn't concern me at all. An option I didn't discuss is merging the two. I could connect both the narrow and standard with a turnout. (original track plan did this). Then peel the standard gauge off toward the wall with another turnout that's hidden. As I mentioned in the video, nothing I do there to keep the standard gauge as a usable option will be easy. Thanks Sierge

[@sierge1]

@@OtterCreek Dennis I believe what ever you come up with it will work.

[@kyguy-s9x]

For the section of 3 rail your wanting to hide Instead of making a tumble why not build a fake tunnel portal out of some model wood or popsicle sticks and paint/weather them to make them look old and similar to an old mine entrance. Then to kinda of hide it add overgrown trees/brush and detail the tracks closer to the tunnel overgrown and in disuse

[@OtterCreek]

I could do that. I will first see how easily I can continue the track as a staging yard which would be my preference if feasible. There are a few options I'm looking at with the three rail.

[@BoxcarJerry]

Hey Dennis things are looking good. It would be nice if you did something to run your standard HO otherwise what would you do with them ?

[@OtterCreek]

Exactly! Yeah, I’m working up a way to incorporate a couple of staging Tracks.

[@lynnmccurdythehdmmrc2561]

Battery isn’t dead yet, but soon

[@OtterCreek]

Hope to see you in chat on Saturday!

[@locolorenzo]

Hey Dennis, would it work to merge the low-line and the dual gauge before entering a single tunnel, and then split them again under the mountain? ..and change the narrative to suit?🤔 That way you could still have the dual gauge staging track(s) and a runaround track coming back from the same turntable, all under cover of the scenery - no one would ever know🤗 ('cause we wouldn't tell 'em!). . . . . . 🚂Lawrence?

[@OtterCreek]

That is what my original track plan did. At one time I had a wye in this corner with dual gauge throughout and the standard gauge could turn on the wye. The size of the Silver gulch loops kinda ruined that idea. So yes, I have considered that and it is on the top of my list of things to think about as I deal with the various elements of this corner of the Layout. Every decision will effect other decision... so which do I make first??? LOL I love the problem solving aspect of the Hobby! Thanks Lawrence!

[@locolorenzo]

@@OtterCreek Yes, gotta love it! We await your decision with 'bated breath (poetically speaking).

[@OtterCreek]

@@locolorenzo Dual gauge turnouts loading….

[@locolorenzo]

@@OtterCreek 😃👍❤🤗 Go Dennis!!!

[@StephanWershoven]

if the dual gauge start to go downhill just after the timesaver could it duck under the narrow gauge before getting to the far side of hell gate? guess it would be close but you at least don't need room for double stack containers. have the narrow gauge on a embankment and the dual gauge in front with the terrain sloping down could look nice

[@OtterCreek]

That would be about a 4.5" drop of elevation in less than 8'. I don't think a 4.5% grade is a good idea. The whole staged train would mostly be on a grade, making uncoupling an adventure. Thanks Stephan, I'll work out what I'm going to do when I'm ready.

[@StephanWershoven]

@@OtterCreek yeah, 4.5% is to steep

[@OtterCreek]

Dual gauge turnouts loading….

[@StephanWershoven]

@@OtterCreek just had another idea can the staging for the dual / standard gauge fit on the other side of the timesaver ? then you could model the dualgauge track towards hell gate as under construction would give a nice scene with some ties stacked up, some rail pieces ready and maybe construction of the tunnel started but only a few feet into the hill

[@tczephyr3665]

You have every woodworking tool known to mankind. Why couldn’t you plane the board down flush at the offending end?

[@OtterCreek]

Don't think there would be much of a board left after that. I'd be more inclined to shim out the stringer on the wall or at the fascia. No worries, I'll work something out. Thanks TC.