Groovy Track - Revision history

Dnevil: /* Old Technology */

2023-02-27T17:39:52Z

Old Technology

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:39, 27 February 2023
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	: For those who strive for the thrill of full size railroading put in some switches and perhaps a scale trestle or bridge. Then equip your live steamer with a working headlight (penlight globe works fine) and run at night.		: For those who strive for the thrill of full size railroading put in some switches and perhaps a scale trestle or bridge. Then equip your live steamer with a working headlight (penlight globe works fine) and run at night.

	Chris Schieck wrote, August 2019:		[[Chris Schieck]] wrote, August 2019:

	: The currently-termed [[Groovy Track]] is a construction that has been around since at least the 1920s. The [[Pacific Northwest Live Steamers\|PNWLS]], started by my friend Harry Harvey, first used 5/16 x 3/4 inch steel bar in slotted ties. I have a photo around some place of their slotting machine which cut three slots (for dual gauge) in a whole row of ties in one pass. Later, as engines and trains got heavier they switched to 3/8 x 1 inch bar.		: The currently-termed [[Groovy Track]] is a construction that has been around since at least the 1920s. The [[Pacific Northwest Live Steamers\|PNWLS]], started by my friend Harry Harvey, first used 5/16 x 3/4 inch steel bar in slotted ties. I have a photo around some place of their slotting machine which cut three slots (for dual gauge) in a whole row of ties in one pass. Later, as engines and trains got heavier they switched to 3/8 x 1 inch bar.

Dnevil: /* External Links */

2021-01-10T17:00:33Z

External Links

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:00, 10 January 2021
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	* [http://www.smex.net.au/reference/TrackConstruct02.php Groovy Track Construction, <i>Scale Model Exchange</i>]		* [http://www.smex.net.au/reference/TrackConstruct02.php Groovy Track Construction, <i>Scale Model Exchange</i>]
	* [https://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=106518 "Wheel profile vs groovy track", <i>Chaski.org</i>]		* [https://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=106518 "Wheel profile vs groovy track", <i>Chaski.org</i>]
			* [https://www.discoverlivesteam.com/magazineold/158/index.htm "How I make Switches for Groovy Track", <i>DiscoverLiveSteam.com</i>]
			* [https://www.discoverlivesteam.com/magazineold/168/index.htm "A "No Weld" Groovy Track Switch", <i>DiscoverLiveSteam.com</i>]
			* [https://www.discoverlivesteam.com/magazineold/197/index.htm "Make a Groovy Center Wiggle Switch", <i>DiscoverLiveSteam.com</i>]

Dnevil: /* Old Technology */

2019-08-09T14:47:01Z

Old Technology

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:47, 9 August 2019
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	From <i>[[The North American Live Steamer]]</i>, Volume 1 Number 12.		From <i>[[The North American Live Steamer]]</i>, Volume 1 Number 12.

	If it is not convenient or possible to get scale rail, a realistic alternate can be used for laying the track for your live steamer. This type of construction has been used for years, during all seasons on a ground level track.		: If it is not convenient or possible to get scale rail, a realistic alternate can be used for laying the track for your live steamer. This type of construction has been used for years, during all seasons on a ground level track.

	Rail consists of easily gotten 1/4 inch by 3/4 inch steel. Larger or smaller size steel has been used. It is laid in grooves in the ties to the desired gauge. The grooves can be made on a table saw equipped with a dado blade. A peg in the face of the bevel gauge engaging the first groove made assures the second groove will be at a uniform distance. The grooves can be made about half the depth of the rail and a light push fit. Fishplates are short pieces of rail material drilled matching holes in the ends of the rails all drilled with a jig. Drill 1/4 inch and bolt with stove bolts. Rigid fish plates enable the rail to be bent in uniform curves.		: Rail consists of easily gotten 1/4 inch by 3/4 inch steel. Larger or smaller size steel has been used. It is laid in grooves in the ties to the desired gauge. The grooves can be made on a table saw equipped with a dado blade. A peg in the face of the bevel gauge engaging the first groove made assures the second groove will be at a uniform distance. The grooves can be made about half the depth of the rail and a light push fit. Fishplates are short pieces of rail material drilled matching holes in the ends of the rails all drilled with a jig. Drill 1/4 inch and bolt with stove bolts. Rigid fish plates enable the rail to be bent in uniform curves.

	To lay track; first survey, then grade; dig and fill as needed. Grades will make interesting running. 2% and 3% grades have been used with complete success on 3-1/2 inch gauge track. Then spread about an inch of gravel on the finished grade. Start stringing out rail. Bolt several lengths together, and hold one rail in place with wooden pegs so that it follows the desired route. Place the other rail along side and start putting on ties by sliding them under the rails and pulling them upwards onto the rails as illustrated. The lever can be made from angle iron in a few minutes.		: To lay track; first survey, then grade; dig and fill as needed. Grades will make interesting running. 2% and 3% grades have been used with complete success on 3-1/2 inch gauge track. Then spread about an inch of gravel on the finished grade. Start stringing out rail. Bolt several lengths together, and hold one rail in place with wooden pegs so that it follows the desired route. Place the other rail along side and start putting on ties by sliding them under the rails and pulling them upwards onto the rails as illustrated. The lever can be made from angle iron in a few minutes.

	If the grooves in the ties are the right fit the ties will slip on with ease but their combined effect will hold the rail in thousands of little vices and the track will maintain a permanent alignment. Pour more fine gravel over rails and ties and tamp under and between with a stick. Low spots can be raised and curves elevated by tamping as in full size practice.		: If the grooves in the ties are the right fit the ties will slip on with ease but their combined effect will hold the rail in thousands of little vices and the track will maintain a permanent alignment. Pour more fine gravel over rails and ties and tamp under and between with a stick. Low spots can be raised and curves elevated by tamping as in full size practice.

	For those who strive for the thrill of full size railroading put in some switches and perhaps a scale trestle or bridge. Then equip your live steamer with a working headlight (penlight globe works fine) and run at night.		: For those who strive for the thrill of full size railroading put in some switches and perhaps a scale trestle or bridge. Then equip your live steamer with a working headlight (penlight globe works fine) and run at night.

			Chris Schieck wrote, August 2019:

			: The currently-termed [[Groovy Track]] is a construction that has been around since at least the 1920s. The [[Pacific Northwest Live Steamers\|PNWLS]], started by my friend Harry Harvey, first used 5/16 x 3/4 inch steel bar in slotted ties. I have a photo around some place of their slotting machine which cut three slots (for dual gauge) in a whole row of ties in one pass. Later, as engines and trains got heavier they switched to 3/8 x 1 inch bar.

	== External Links ==		== External Links ==

Dnevil: /* External Links */

2018-08-31T19:40:46Z

External Links

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:40, 31 August 2018
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	* [http://www.eprailsystem.com/project/groovy-railroad-ties/ Groovy Railroad Ties, <i>ACCUTIE Rail Systems</i>]		* [http://www.eprailsystem.com/project/groovy-railroad-ties/ Groovy Railroad Ties, <i>ACCUTIE Rail Systems</i>]
	* [http://www.smex.net.au/reference/TrackConstruct02.php Groovy Track Construction, <i>Scale Model Exchange</i>]		* [http://www.smex.net.au/reference/TrackConstruct02.php Groovy Track Construction, <i>Scale Model Exchange</i>]
			* [https://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=106518 "Wheel profile vs groovy track", <i>Chaski.org</i>]

Dnevil: /* External Links */

2018-07-30T13:21:29Z

External Links

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:21, 30 July 2018
Line 156:		Line 156:
	* [http://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=6522 "Groovy Track revisited", <i>Chaski.org</i>]		* [http://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=6522 "Groovy Track revisited", <i>Chaski.org</i>]
	* [http://www.eprailsystem.com/project/groovy-railroad-ties/ Groovy Railroad Ties, <i>ACCUTIE Rail Systems</i>]		* [http://www.eprailsystem.com/project/groovy-railroad-ties/ Groovy Railroad Ties, <i>ACCUTIE Rail Systems</i>]
			* [http://www.smex.net.au/reference/TrackConstruct02.php Groovy Track Construction, <i>Scale Model Exchange</i>]

Dnevil: /* External Links */

2018-07-30T13:15:07Z

External Links

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:15, 30 July 2018
Line 155:		Line 155:

	* [http://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=6522 "Groovy Track revisited", <i>Chaski.org</i>]		* [http://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=6522 "Groovy Track revisited", <i>Chaski.org</i>]
			* [http://www.eprailsystem.com/project/groovy-railroad-ties/ Groovy Railroad Ties, <i>ACCUTIE Rail Systems</i>]

Dnevil: /* Old Technology */

2017-01-17T04:11:38Z

Old Technology

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:11, 16 January 2017
Line 140:		Line 140:
	D. Alton		D. Alton

	From The North American Live Steamer, Volume 1 Number 12.		From <i>[[The North American Live Steamer]]</i>, Volume 1 Number 12.

	If it is not convenient or possible to get scale rail, a realistic alternate can be used for laying the track for your live steamer. This type of construction has been used for years, during all seasons on a ground level track.		If it is not convenient or possible to get scale rail, a realistic alternate can be used for laying the track for your live steamer. This type of construction has been used for years, during all seasons on a ground level track.

Dnevil: /* Tidbits from Chaski */

2017-01-17T04:11:11Z

Tidbits from Chaski

@@ Line 132: / Line 132: @@
 : 6. The track looks better if you keep the ballast even with the tops of the ties. You really don't notice the non-prototypical cross-section when viewing the track from the standpoint of the engineer. In my opinion, it looks better than aluminum from that viewpoint.
 == External Links ==
 * [http://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=6522 "Groovy Track revisited", <i>Chaski.org</i>]

Dnevil: /* Track Snapper */

2014-11-04T19:00:24Z

Track Snapper

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:00, 4 November 2014
Line 84:		Line 84:

	Here's a great way to splice the rail. It's a nice alternative to all that drilling. Shown here is 1/2 inch schedule 40 pipe with 5/8 Inch cold rolled round bar for a pin. A little oil on the joint keeps loose for movement during expansion and contraction of the track.		Here's a great way to splice the rail. It's a nice alternative to all that drilling. Shown here is 1/2 inch schedule 40 pipe with 5/8 Inch cold rolled round bar for a pin. A little oil on the joint keeps loose for movement during expansion and contraction of the track.

			== Turnouts ==

			<gallery widths="300px" heights="300px">
			File:GroovyTrack Turnout No4.jpg\|A turnout made using Groovy Track, probably a #4 turnout. From <i>[http://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=6522 Chaski.org]</i>
			</gallery>

	== Track Snapper ==		== Track Snapper ==

Dnevil: /* Tidbits from Chaski */

2014-11-04T18:54:17Z

Tidbits from Chaski

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:54, 4 November 2014
Line 126:		Line 126:

	: 6. The track looks better if you keep the ballast even with the tops of the ties. You really don't notice the non-prototypical cross-section when viewing the track from the standpoint of the engineer. In my opinion, it looks better than aluminum from that viewpoint.		: 6. The track looks better if you keep the ballast even with the tops of the ties. You really don't notice the non-prototypical cross-section when viewing the track from the standpoint of the engineer. In my opinion, it looks better than aluminum from that viewpoint.

			== External Links ==

			* [http://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=6522 "Groovy Track revisited", <i>Chaski.org</i>]