James Patten is having trouble logging in here, so I'm re-posting his message from the NGDiscussion board.

Day 2 of the track laying weekend:

The southern switch of the Alna Center run-around track is now in psuedo-service, meaning it's usable but not attached to the switch stand. It may be attached tomorrow. We have not yet run anything into the siding yet. The switch was giving problems because the switch point rails (previously used in standard gauge service) were slightly bent the wrong way.

Main line rails were continued another 180 or so feet, to the top of the grade. Now its "all down hill from here," roughly two miles to Rt 218.
From NG Discussion Forum:
Siding rails were partially spiked in for about half the length of the siding. Ties are out all the way along on the siding.

A small crew with a chain saw cleared out most of the remainder of Averill Road. Averill Road is the road which runs by Alna Center, which in the past served several houses at the end. It's long been unofficially abandoned by the town. The second half of it is overgrown with trees, so for many many years people have been using a field next to the road to get around.

James Patten
WW&F

What is the oxy-acetylene rig sitting there for? As a professional track inspector I always get nervous when I see a cutting torch out where they are building track.

Greg

Why no tie plates??..................................Wooly

Thanks Steve,

I really appreciate the support you have given to the guys at the WW&F and as always, your photos are FIRST CLASS!

Best Regards,
Glenn

Hi Wooly,

Except for a very few locations, the original WW&F never used them.

Best Regards,
Glenn

Stephen,

If you are still having trouble with the switch point try putting a hardwood block between the point and the stock rail in the middle of the bend. Then get one or two of your big strong guys and have them heave on the switch stand closing the point on the block. You will probably have to repeat the process a few times. You should be able to put enough pressure on the point to bend it back straight. This works especially well with a low stand where you can just jump on the handle but you can do it with a tall stand too. If need be heat the point with the torch but do not get it red hot. Just use enough heat to make the metal take a set. I know it sounds crazy but after more than 20 years of doing this I can say it works.

As for the concern of another poster, I would not be afraid to use a torch to cut rail under the conditions WW&F faces. There are also many other possible uses of a torch when laying rail so it is good to have one even it it is never used. Remember it is legal to torch cut rail in class 1 and 2 track and I doubt they are operating any faster than that. It is also important to remember that the equipment is very light. I think the heavest locomotive is in the 15 ton range. Some of the 60 pound rail they are laying came from the Aberdeen and Rockfish Railroad where we thought nothing of operating a GP-38 and 263,000 pound cars over it. Although we try to do things by the book there are occasions when it is just not expediant to do so. That is when we work by the old carpenters rule. If it is to short splice it, if it is to long force it.

Good luck with your project Stephen.

John Bohon

Thank you, Glenn.