9. BACKDROP PANELS

The backdrop framework is covered with 1/8 " masonite panels. These are glued to the framework with panel adhesive so there are no nail or screw holes in the panels.

The panels leave a gap above the TGI beam. The joists for the benchwork will attach to the TGI beams here. The track and scenery will all be above the gap. The scenery will dip below this level at Sulphur Gulch but that is a story for later.

All seams between panels were filled and sanded to provide a seamless surface. The entire set of panels was then lightly sanded to insure that the wallpaper paste would adhere to the surface.

8 TRACK LIGHTS

8 Track Lights

Hard lessons were learned during the construction of the first AT&SG RR. Installing lighting above a finished railroad is not easy and not wise. So this time the maintenance crew installed track lights before beginning construction. An added advantage is that it is much easier to see during construction when there is adequate lighting. Each section of the railroad is lit with a row of 6 lamps. The bulbs are compact reflector fluorescent (CFL) low wattage bulbs which save considerably on power. A whole track of 6 lamps is only 75 watts. These light provide plenty of sunshine.

7 CONSTRUCTION BEGINS

The Utah Colorado Western Railroad (ucwrr.com) had a unique construction technique to minimize the number of legs necessary to support benchwork. The AT&SG Railroad adapted this technique of using TGI beams for long spans with 2x4 legs. It was decided to use the TGI panels only in the back along the wall to allow access under the front edge of the layout. The photo shows the TGI beams with the backdrop framework in place along the wall. This construction surrounds the layout on the three sides against the wall.

The board of trustees was very adamant about any construction impacting the walls of the railroad room. The policy was that the layout must be freestanding. In the previous version of this railroad the backdrop panels were attached to the walls. When the railroad was disassembled there the walls had to be repaired and refinished.The board of directors declared “Never again.” To accomplish this free standing benchwork the framework for the backdrop is attached to the back of the TGI beams and also secured against the 2x4 legs which were extended to reach the top of the sky. Nothing is attached to the walls of the railroad room. The photo shows this framework before the hardboard is in place. This framework will be covered with ¼ inch hardboard and then wallpapered with muslin to provide a smooth surface for the backdrop painting of sky, mountains, and horizon scenery.

More to come … visit us again soon.

6 THE PLAN

6 THE PLAN

The diagram is an early draft of the plan for the railroad. This is a work in progress. Check back at a future date to see modifications in this plan. The board room is not shown but is a 14 x 14 foot room at the bottom of the diagram with a stair case coming up at the lower right of the diagram (only partially shown).

The yard at the left is Ascape and some associated industries. Staging is under Ascape with trains entering the railroad on the circular track around the access hole. Trains will eventually return to staging via the same helix but entering from the tracks behind Ascape (not complete on the diagram). These tracks behind Ascape are 9 inches above the yard tracks. Tennsion is the sidings at the right of the diagram. The track then circles the peninsula across the large trestle at Sulphur Gulch at the top end of the peninsula. The sidings at the lower part of the peninsula are Castle Coal.

After crossing Sulphur Gulch taking the left branch the track climbs to a higher elevation and the switch backs lead to the Sawhill Timber lumber area. Beyond Sawhill the railroad returns above Tennsion circling the upper part of the plan returning above Ascape until it reenters the helix to return to staging.

Instead of returning to staging a branch line runs to Park City (also not yet connected in the plan which is in the lower left of the plan.

Staging is a double ended yard with a return loop under the upper left corner of the layout.

Stay tuned for more details at a later date.

5 TIME OUT

With the floor protected and the windows moved above the sky it was time to start construction …. But WAIT. Construction was put on hold when the key personnel of the AT&SG Railroad were asked to return to Hawaii for a second time to help with distance education at Brigham Young University – Hawaii. The president did manage to include a box of structures and a minimum set of tools in the shipment of household goods to Hawaii. But alas, no time and the box sat in the closet unopened for the duration of the tour.  

The tour of duty was scheduled for 23 months starting in January 2008. However some serious health problems required a return to Utah after only 10 months. Perhaps construction could resume on the railroad.

4. THE FLOOR BENEATH

The railroad room was completed with a beautiful bamboo hardwood floor, all shinning and bright. The day construction was to begin the chairwoman asked with some alarm in her voice, “How are you going to protect my floor.” Explaining drop cloths and the great care that would be exercised during construction failed to satisfy the concern. The board of directors issued a new policy, the floor under the railroad must be covered with something that would protect the hardwood so that it would be preserved should the railroad sometime in the future once again fall on hard times and find that it must be relocated. After considerable research quite by accident the president stumbled on a product called Tarkett which is manufactured in Luxemburg. It is a vinyl product with a soft fabric back. It lays flat without gluing. The pattern just happened to match the stone tile on the refreshment bar in the board room. A perfect solution … the chairwoman is happy, the president is happy and the floor is happy. Of course the previous policy requiring drop clothes and great car during construction is still in force

3. ADJUSTING THE SKY

During an early inspection of the new railroad room it was noted that the windows all seemed a bit too low. The blueprint called for the bottom of the windows to be at 72 inches. The existing height in the newly framed structure was only 60 inches. The president confronted the contractor about this discrepancy. “You can’t see out of the windows if they are six feet from the floor,” he said. “Exactly!” exclaimed the president. “You see,” he explained, “the windows must be above the sky.” The contractor gave a very puzzled look to this comment. The president explained how a backdrop behind the train would contain painting of the sky, mountains and other geological feature to extend the horizon of the railroad. He explained that the sky extends up to 6 feet which is above the eye level of most observers. Having the windows above the sky allowed light to enter the room without interfering with the sky or mountains that would be behind the railroad all around the room. The contractor gave an “Aha” and ordered the windows moved up above the sky.