No worries AL, I’m planning on elevated to and just like to see what works for others.
Well it has been awhile, been very busy building the structure and dealing with suppliers, but tonight just after 6pm it was all worth it.
first train entering the Ophier / trout lake passing siding area (shared siding)
(https://www.largescalecentral.com/FileSharing/user_2560/RGSNH/DSC_3961s.jpg)
then a brief pause at the site of the water tank (yet to be built)
(https://www.largescalecentral.com/FileSharing/user_2560/RGSNH/DSC_3963s.jpg)
then about to exit the double track and head up the hill to lizard head.
(https://www.largescalecentral.com/FileSharing/user_2560/RGSNH/DSC_3965s.jpg)
The site of the golden rail clamp. the last of my uncle Hermes rail clamps that was unused (these are no longer available for code 250 BTW due to lack of demand)
(https://www.largescalecentral.com/FileSharing/user_2560/RGSNH/DSC_3967s.jpg)
And the RGS # 20 about to enter the old grade location (rebuilt today to accommodate grade changes)
(https://www.largescalecentral.com/FileSharing/user_2560/RGSNH/DSC_3968s.jpg)
(https://www.largescalecentral.com/FileSharing/user_2560/RGSNH/DSC_3969s.jpg)
As usual lots of small things to do but am ready for the Friday morning trainops crew.
Looking really good! 
Nice work! Looking forward to seeing in person.
Looks great Al. I still can’t commit for Friday, but I’m hopeful.
Al, nice looking addition to the mainline… (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)
Thanks for posting the pics. Looks good and is giving me ideas for my up coming project of building above ground RR. Later RJD
BTW what are the white cylinders around the 4x4 post for? Guess to raise and lower track for level. Later RJD
RJ,
you are correct they are 4" PVC pipe fitted over 45 deg. knocked off corners on the 4 x 4 post, that allow leveling and or grade control. once positioned by applying a clamp below the PVC, two to four holes are drilled in the PVC pipe and deck screws inserted, fixing the position. if needed later after some settling they can be adjusted. they will soon be painted a dark green as well as the PT wood to allow everything to blend into the background.
Al P.
Nice work Al!
Really nice work Al! like others have said , keep adding pictures as many as possible.
Very cool idea Al with the slit mod to the post to make an easily adjustable system, and I suppose using the 4" PVC gives an ultra-stable base for the track.
Greg
Crap, now I need to start hording cut-offs from 4x4 PVC post sleeves at work. That is a really cool idea and I do have an elevated section planned if I ever get to it.
Allow me to chime in with the group on liking the PVC sleeve idea for leveling. I can see where it will make a run into my barn for train storage much easier to carry out and I have around 20 sleeves on hand from an earlier use. (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)
Thought I would share some of the design files with you since there seams to be interest in this.
below is the basic frame structure, it consists of PT deck boards cut down the middle, with the radiuses edges up for best protection. the PVC tube in this case is 12" long and acts as a joiner as well. not detailed is a 1/4 carriage bolt thru the 4-1/2 cross board into the pvc pipe, followed by a couple of deck screws once cross level is achieved.
(https://www.largescalecentral.com/FileSharing/user_2560/RGSNH/Capture1.JPG)
the ends being cut so the edge goes thru the center of the tube. below is a sketch of the common piece I used to build most of the curved section.
(https://www.largescalecentral.com/FileSharing/user_2560/RGSNH/Capture2.JPG)
in this way in theory everything interlocks to a certain degree. below the mods to the 4 x 4 post.
(https://www.largescalecentral.com/FileSharing/user_2560/RGSNH/Capture3.JPG)(https://www.largescalecentral.com/FileSharing/user_2560/RGSNH/Capture4.JPG)
I had originally planed to use PVC deck boards to cover the top and provide a base for the track, however they are currently cost prohibitive, so I defaulted to the PT variety. because they are fanned out to provide the proper curve for the track of 96" radius main and 104" radius passing track, I needed something to retain the ballast. having surplus weed block fabric I stapled this to the top stretching tight, and applied a 1/4 x 1-1/2 x 48 " PVC strip to the inner and outer edges to retain the poultry grit ballast and allow sufficient drainage. so far we have had a couple of heavy downpours in the last week and this seams to retain the grit just fine. time will tell.
it is important to have something significant to connect this type of structure on both ends to firm it up. even though I have installed some braces along the way (and will add some more) the whole structure was a little wobbly until secure on both ends. so keep that in mind when planning.
Al P.
Interesting!