The Rubber & Rawhide Railroad

Progress Report for 11th July 2009

This Page Created on July 25th, 2009

North Hercules Crossing Raised!

This area has been in the news before. It was the North Hercules Switch that initially gave problems when our too optimistic roadbed crew allowed their work to change grade through that turnout. No sooner had that problem been solved than it was found that some of the larger motive power would lose its footing when traversing the South Diver's Wye switch. Again, careful rework of the roadbed solved the problem.

This crossing actually "worked" although there had been a few reports of mysterious decouplings from time to time. Then, the surveying crew came out and found that the up hill grades through Hercules Station far exceeded the standard! Guess that explains why engineers reported giving their trains a running start from the North Hercules Switch to make the grade!

In the current photo, the crossing itself has been raised, and rough estimates of the additional supports needed obtained.

Hercules Station Trackage Raised

Both the Southbound Mainline and the Hercules Siding have been raised as far as the plaza.

Obviously, the Northbound line (behind Hercules) will need adjustment too!

Northbound Varnish leaves Hercules Station

The recently re-levelled track makes our passenger train appear even more dignfied than usual.

Southbound Passenger Service Calling at Hercules Station

Yes, that track coming in from the right is the Northbound mainline! Now that the two directions of the mainline are at practically the same grade, it appears that our mystery decouplings have been solved. There is certainly an improvement in speed constancy as through trains traverse the Hercules Station trackage.