Shady Pines Construction Update

[@richardcooke9948]

The whole triangle shaped track arrangement is called a wye in the USA. And turning a loco or train around is called wyeing.

[@petercruikshank2618]

What NOBODY has commented on that amazing indoor yard? WOWZER! I have barn envy. Well that plus the entire RR layout....

[@MillBrookRailroad]

That's the old Fig Newton estate carriage barn.

[@petercruikshank2618]

Cool history...now I want some Fig Newtons!

[@woozleboy]

Not "turnaround" for the track switch, but is called a "turnout" for modelers. That is likely what was heard.

[@CrazyPetez]

That’s a very impressive railroad with all,the elevation changes.

[@Swahnod]

In the old days (immediately after the civil war) when they got to the end-of-track at so many miles past a previous end-of-track, they built a wye, and used it to turn the construction trains around so they would not have to back all the way to the supply yard for reloading of more materials. It was generally referred to as a turnaround back then (maybe because that was all they used it for?)!

[@Santafefrank]

Thanks

[@StanFerris]

Very cool! Thanks, Aaron.

[@jenniferwhitewolf3784]

Did anyone think about how darn sharp some of those curves are? Most steam locos will not make those turns. The place has sharps here and there.. Probably just fine for tiny 4 wheel locos and short cars, so all is well. I love the scenery, and the vertical grades. Would like to see a visit here when operating.

[@MillBrookRailroad]

He has a four wheel electric and an electric climax with a bunch of short (six feet or less) cars. They handle the curves well enough. Every railroad is different.

[@solarusthelonghaulerrailfa3226]

I would assume that this is a mineral and lumber line

[@MillBrookRailroad]

@@solarusthelonghaulerrailfa3226 It's built like one but it is purely a pleasure carrier.

[@russkepler]

My Shay would love that track. I've done 12% on short runs and 100+ yards of 8%, so the grade would just give me some stack talk. Love the yard barn. I didn't have the length and had to put a 3 way stub switch on the way in.

[@MillBrookRailroad]

@@russkepler You'll love the Brick Mountain Railroad video I have coming up. Stay tuned...

[@keithgutshall9559]

Digging a trench for the track isn't that going to get full of water when it rains?

[@marktaylor9975]

I thought the same thing. Might be a headache, meaning that in so many ways.

[@MillBrookRailroad]

It will until he connects the ditch with the roadside ditch. That'll happen in the fall.

[@mathewrufrano7833]

I can see where you are getting the inspiration to expand you railroad. All the best.

[@MillBrookRailroad]

The inspiration to extend the Mill Brook Railroad was there long before the Shady Pines Railroad was even conceived. It was part of the original plan for the railroad back in the 1980's.

[@mathewrufrano7833]

@@MillBrookRailroad you don’t look old enough to be planning the railroad extension in the 80s 😊

[@MillBrookRailroad]

@@mathewrufrano7833 you're too kind.

[@solarusthelonghaulerrailfa3226]

It’s interesting how that when you visit another railroad your the one holding the camera but on your own railroad your doing all the work mostly

[@MillBrookRailroad]

That's how it works.

[@joewnav]

Great Railroading!

[@margaretragle1337]

That was awesome.

[@petersipp5247]

Would you tell me what % your incline is please? The one that you guys walk up/down on, I mean. I ask b/c I'd like to have a short train on the place here. We bought it so I could build a 7-1/2" rr. We have 2.5 ac. It is sloped like yours. I am thinking a battery powered GP-9 from Backyard Trains. Two flat cars total. The trains "job" will be to bring firewood from the woods to the woodstove. I Greatly appreciate your answer. All the best, Pete

[@danielfantino1714]

A lot of progress have been achieved. At least the "inside yard" can be operational in winter. Outside i don´t think so much with heavy grade and snow and ice. It will be quite a challenge. It´s hard for us, i think to see limits of property. Since there is more than one house, does he have an agreement, or sort of community railroad ? It will be interesting to know. Your best neighbor is the nest as long as he doesn´t sale and move away. Showing us a drawing draft on paper seems a good idea. For sure it will be a really interesting and challenging for operation and maintenance line. Most model railroader put their layout in basement. Some in cellar, but on that scale ? Is probably the first. I don´t know if its house is brand new, and that was planned during construction, but for us Canadians, cellar is full of roof truss. It´s like a second basement. That gentlemen, Tony is a really an interesting person ! We hope for more, and no doubt we´ll be satisfied. How far is he from Mill Brook ?

[@MillBrookRailroad]

Tony put his track right up to the property line in most places and a few feet over in one place, with permission from the neighbor. The Shady Pines is three miles from the Mill Brook.

[@danielfantino1714]

@@MillBrookRailroad thanks for fast answering.

[@wdmfan]

Shady pines construction speed is crazy fast!

[@malcolmone1]

why not put dirt straight into trailer

[@MillBrookRailroad]

That's a good question. We'll have to wait until September for a answer.

[@kevinwaterman389]

How many years has it taken to build the Shady Pines Railroad to its existing state? Is it operational in the winter? It’s look like it would be challenging to snowplow.

[@MillBrookRailroad]

It has taken six years to build the Shady Pines and it is too steep a grade to run it in winter.

[@williampugh6699]

Is this all down hill? I’m wondering about drainage.

[@MillBrookRailroad]

It's downhill.

[@wraith0127]

I hate to ask, but what did you plan to do with rainwater runoff building up in the lower rail excavation you made under the bridge? Water will collect in there and every time you drive over that area it will pump the water, stiring up the dirt, causing a washout under the ties/sleepers.

[@MillBrookRailroad]

Tony has a plan. There's a ditch nearby.

[@wraith0127]

@@MillBrookRailroad that's what I was hoping but we didn't get to see the finished result. I hope my railroad turns out at least half as good as all of yours when I start building it! Looks amazing! Btw, I'm probably going with 15" gauge and eventually having a scale model of an AC6000CW with a real AC diesel generator running 4 or 6 AC traction motors. Future dreams right now though

[@MillBrookRailroad]

@@wraith0127 We won't see the finished result until September when Tony comes back from holiday. The secret to a great railroad, by the way, is in all the work you put in to survey at the beginning and all the sub-roadbed work before you put any ballast down. If you put 4 to 6 inches of ballast down before you put any track on top, you'll find the track is more stable and wooden ties will last longer than if you cheap out and only do an inch or so under the ties. As far as an AC6000 goes on 15" gauge, I think you'll find the price closer to a Lamborghini Murcielago than a used F150.

[@wraith0127]

@@MillBrookRailroad Oh absolutely, but I will be doing nearly all the metal work myself, designing the power system from scratch, and even casting most of the metal parts including turning the wheels on a lathe. Just the motor/generator alone will be about $12k and weighs around 600lbs. But like you said, I'm going to start small with a little battery powered plywood box, then one day build my dream loco. Gotta start somewhere

[@gntlmn1956]

WHY dig out all that dirt? Why not just make that bridge section like a Bascule Bridge? You could have it automated with a control next to the lower track for the operator to activate the lift of the bridge.

[@MillBrookRailroad]

Something to do, I guess.

[@opeyshop]

find a large axe no handle just head and piece 1 inch black pipe and weld to top of axe head for root remove and rock remove and it make a cleaner work remove and keep you feet away for it

[@Kafj302]

I am like number 380

[@lauraandedwardcannon8861]

Seems like a missed opportunity to use a gondola car to haul dirt.

[@MillBrookRailroad]

With 8% grades, it's safer to use buckets.

[@vanwelton1753]

Looks like you built a ditch as soon as it rains.

[@MillBrookRailroad]

When it rains, it'll be a canal. At least until he finishes the job.

[@badgimp4577]

now with more dad jokes

[@MillBrookRailroad]

This is how radio ads get made.