Want to build a grade crossing on a section of Bachmann G track.

[on30gn15]

Hey Y'all;

Want to build a grade crossing on a section of Bachmann G track.

Three conditions:
1.) Has to remain suitable for "carpet running"
2.) Available materials are balsa, basswood, mat board.
3.) Want it to look "steam era"

Thoughts? Ideas? Suggestions?



(painted the ties and rails with Rust-oleum brush on rusty metal primer)

[on30gn15]

Progress photos.









Look how same place in carpet appears 3 different colors depending on lighting.

[on30gn15]

Progress. Added planks to center of crossing. Are about one hair below flush with railhead.

Building up dirt is next. Then sign.
 
Still gotta figure out how planking is fastened down in the 12in = 1ft world.

[on30gn15]

Here's where progress is as of way late last night or way early this morning, depending on whether you see the night as half empty or half full.

HO ballast for gravel road and fish tank gravel for track ballast.

Still have to do something for bolts which hold down timbers.

Then something for signs - older style wooden ones.

[Joe Satnik]

Hey Scott,

Very impressive. Nice job.

Sincerely,

Joe Satnik

[Nathan]

Grandt Line makes Nut, bolt washer detail in many sizes, look at some 'O' scale ones and counter sink them, have seen a number of wood grade crossings like that all over the US and Canada.

Nathan

[on30gn15]

Ah, knowing about the countersink is good.

For the moment, purchasing correctly sized NBW castings, I only have some for HO,  is out of the budget.

This is meant to be made with what is on hand.

[armorsmith]

On30Gn15,

I have 30 pieces of 'O' scale 1 1/4 in bolts with nut and washer in plastic I could let go for a buck or two. If interested contact me off list at

armorsmith [at] yahoo [dot] com

Bob C.

[on30gn15]

A little more progress

[doug c]

Straight pins nipped to a length that ya could then push into the wood ? 
{* hands- nippers - pins in a box  and wearing safety glasses as they will flyyyy * }

Or if you have a pinnailer I believe the shortest pin available is a 3/8ths  . . . . compressor set low just to punch them in just at surface   a lite dab of rust or weathered black to dull the shine  . . . .


doug  c

[on30gn15]

Those are ideas.

All that's available for this project right now are the classic "kitchen table" type tools.

[NarrowMinded]

I have in the past used a nail setting punch to create the affect of carriage bolt heads in wood, you simply push on the wood with the punch and give it a little twist, then paint the center with a dab of black rust or a mix to the look you want. I've cheated and used a black sharpie also.

NM

[on30gn15]

Got some "weeds" using Woodland Scenics Field Grass. Which is probably some kind of animal hair or something as getting the cat to leave it alone, i.e. not sniff it then lick it up, was a bit of an effort.

[NarrowMinded]

Looks great so far!

Don't for get the tire/wagon wheel path that will be left over the crossing from years of use.

NM