MS Platform Track Install

[flyboyhi]

Howdy there, I finally began the train track install on my platform.
I am using the instructions from this link:
http://olszewskistudios.com/MainStre...structions.php on the Olszewski website.

I have also posted all the pictures in this post (and some) on a website:

http://hotinhawaii.com/track01/

So far I have set down the first cork layer. I will try and document what I found and any issues I've encountered.

I removed the "fake" track and found the two track power holes:
one by adventure land gateway and the Orbiter.


When I removed the track I found some high spots in the casting and major height changes between segments. This first pic is behind the castle and hard to tell. But, there was a couple big bumps. From what I recall small trains like things smooooth..

Castle Bump and sectional bump:


So, I took out the handy Dremel and ground away...


After all the high parts were ground down next was to get the cork ready.

The cork is cut at an angle down the middle. You separate the cork so and re-align it so that it has a bevel on the outside (wider at the bottom) The middle edge is straight.

After I separated the cork I placed it down to figure out where it is along the corners. On the corners I used scissors to snip 1/4" cuts on both outer edges of the cork every 1 to 2 inches. This allows the cork to bend around the corner and still lie flat.

This pic shows holding down the cork and the black line marking the end of the curve. I then cut in about 1/4 inch on the outside of each cork to allow it to bend.



Next, with a curve the cork becomes uneven. The instructions say to fit your other pieces to that. I preferred to make them even. So here I will cut off the inside cork at the black line to make it straight.



Now, with the cork prepped (snipped and trimmed) it was time for glue.

Initial coat.




Smoothing the glue out with a 1" brush


An important ingredient at this time...


Laying the first / inside cork. Again, straight edge to center, beveled edge to the outside and the widest side down.



Both halves down now


After I did both curves on the castle side I went to the train station. This is to line up the edge to the station. I had to mark the angle. No, I can't draw straight I had to trim a couple times to get it just right.



Trimmed


After I did both sides of the castle and train station I had a small gap in the middle. Since, I made clean edges it was pretty easy putting a small piece in.



East side completed (yes thats the instructions out...) And, the West side.


Now, I will have to deal with a height level problem on the train station. My train station has the standard "kit" black knobs attached to the bottom.

This is the East side. (the cork is supposed to be at the same level as train station)


West side level difference (not so bad)


A conductor waiting for a track and a train...



Well, as I was doing the above pictures I also got a bit side tracked... some of my signed pieces:


9-22-07


Some misc


And, a Marque, trying to get one of them to work (until I got the updated instruction...)



Well, I hope this helps anyone else attempting the track project. I will update as I get further along.

And, before we go - a quote from the artist... (from his website)

Soon you will begin to assemble your Main Street Platform. To make this experience as positive as possible, each of you will need to change from being a collector and cross over to becoming a hobbyist. Understanding this statement and embracing it, will enable each platform owner to enjoy this project in a way that they could never have imagined.

This is not just a collection. This is an awesome interactive experience for the true Disney and Olszewski fan.

= added =
I will add questions/problems as I come to them here - and hopefully my solutions - so they don't get buried in the thread.
- Cork layout at the Castle

Do the curves first. Start with the curve by the Sleeping Beauty's Castle. What you learn here will make the Train Station curve easier. Take one complete strip and lay the cork in the straight section directly behind the castle. Do not use glue yet.

I didn't know if that meant one piece centered at the Castle so both ends curve or, the end at the straight part of the castle and curving one way or the other.
I chose to put the end at the center of the straight section so I could deal with one curve with each cork piece.

- Cork staggering. I actually bought a book today on track laying. (still worried about the whole ballast thing). Anyways, the book recommended "staggering" the cork underlay. Hm, I should have done that vice trying to keep the lines straight.

- Track "detailing." In researching ballast instructions I found some info about detailing the track to make it more relistic. And, I saw a book about it so I got it. I did detail the track a bit (rustish red on the track and brownish ties). It looks amazing. I will post pix and instructions later.

[tahnee]

Re: MS Platform Track Install

This is not just a collection. This is an awesome interactive experience for the true Disney and Olszewski fan.

I'm glad you see it that way :bow:. Don't you enjoy it more when you work on it? And I'm curious, how many Bud Lights does the instructions call for?

I noticed you have some other Olszewski goodies too. I got the Pirates Gallery of Light, I attached a sound chip of the jail scene to mine.

Thanks for sharing your work and pictures.

[All4dISNEY]

Re: MS Platform Track Install

Thanks so much Flyboy and Tahnee, for posting your 'as progressing' step by step photos. I am certain I will be referring to them when it's my turn. Flyboy, I have made note of the needed hydration. We'll be attempting ours during the xmas holiday break. I still have a few items to secure before embarking on the adventure.

[flyboyhi]

Re: MS Platform Track Install

Thanks for the feedback

I'm glad you see it that way :bow:. Don't you enjoy it more when you work on it? And I'm curious, how many Bud Lights does the instructions call for?

I noticed you have some other Olszewski goodies too. I got the Pirates Gallery of Light, I attached a sound chip of the jail scene to mine.

Thanks for sharing your work and pictures.

I do enjoy it a lot more as an active participant in the process. Of course, I could never get at the level of modeling that you and Jason are doing - I am so envious of your work!

Darn, I can't seem to find the hydration requirement in the instructions anymore... well, Bob said we could improvise - right?

As for my other Olszewski items, that is only the tip... It all started several years ago when I saw "Buried Alive" Storytime piece at a store in Reno...

I hadn't thought about the sound chip for the gallery of light pieces. Thats a great idea. I think I remember at Character Warehouse that had some cheap POTC thing that had the chip. I will check on it next week when I go back so I can start cannibalizing. Luckily I am pualani so I can take three suitcases...

Thanks so much Flyboy and Tahnee, for posting your 'as progressing' step by step photos. I am certain I will be referring to them when it's my turn. Flyboy, I have made note of the needed hydration. We'll be attempting ours during the xmas holiday break. I still have a few items to secure before embarking on the adventure.

Thanks All4. Enjoy the project in December! I wasn't sure if I was going to post until completed. I just went ahead so all can see if I fail

As a "static" project the platform is great in itself. I just wanted to add the motion of the train. My next project will be to attack the gaps.

Hydration is important. This step actually was only one unit of hydration

[flynnibus]

Re: MS Platform Track Install

I would have considered shimming the track bed to meet up to the variances in train station height. That would be much easier as you can do it independently on each side rather then trying to something to the train station piece itself. It only looks like 3/16 tops on that one side. That shimmed over 6-8" wouldn't be noticeable at all

[flyboyhi]

Re: MS Platform Track Install

I would have considered shimming the track bed to meet up to the variances in train station height. That would be much easier as you can do it independently on each side rather then trying to something to the train station piece itself. It only looks like 3/16 tops on that one side. That shimmed over 6-8" wouldn't be noticeable at all

Thanks flynnibus. That is an option. I have some scrap balsa and stuff I could have done that. Oh well.

I have pulled off the black risers from the station and have used the scraps under it and it works good for leveling.

Just a bit a go I got the train actually running (except the train station part).

I decided to "detail" the tracks and ties. That took a bit but looks good. Just one area of electrical fade out. I will address by tightening the connectors. But, so neat to see it running.

More pix later. I need sleep (emptied and closed out my storage locker today as well).

[sneakerspray]

Re: MS Platform Track Install

Nice pics. I also just started laying down my track. I couldn't figure out the height problem with the train station until I finally just ripped out the risers as well and began building my own out of balsa and it aligned perfectly.

I couldn't resist though and I already hooked up my train and ran it for about 2 hours. LOL. I actually bought a spare Santa Fe freight train to run until the whole thing is finished. Then I will unbox the real ones. But it looks interesting to see freight trains circling Disneyland. I'm probably going to spray paint the track a wood color before laying it down. Debating it because of the taping involved but it would look nice though. If anyone has any suggestions on getting the tracks a more wood like color, I'd love to hear em.

One item of note is take particular care around the roofs of the train station. The clearance is very tight. I didn't have any collisions, but it was close.

Oh and tahnee, I took a look at your page and WOW. I am not that brave though. But really nice work.

[flyboyhi]

Re: MS Platform Track Install

Nice pics. I also just started laying down my track. I couldn't figure out the height problem with the train station until I finally just ripped out the risers as well and began building my own out of balsa and it aligned perfectly.

I couldn't resist though and I already hooked up my train and ran it for about 2 hours. LOL. I actually bought a spare Santa Fe freight train to run until the whole thing is finished. Then I will unbox the real ones. But it looks interesting to see freight trains circling Disneyland. I'm probably going to spray paint the track a wood color before laying it down. Debating it because of the taping involved but it would look nice though. If anyone has any suggestions on getting the tracks a more wood like color, I'd love to hear em.

One item of note is take particular care around the roofs of the train station. The clearance is very tight. I didn't have any collisions, but it was close.

Oh and tahnee, I took a look at your page and WOW. I am not that brave though. But really nice work.

Good idea about using a spare train during the construction phase.

I did have one problem with my Disney Locomotive. It just made a noise but didnt move. Turns out the motor is actually in the tender car with a drive shaft connected to the locomotive. I unscrewed the hitch, connected the shaft, and screwed it all back together and it works.

For the track detailing: I coated the top of the track with 3 in 1 oil applied with q-tips so the paint will be easy to remove on the tops when done. Using a cheapy airbrush (testors with a can for air source) I sprayed the rails by putting them on a box and spraying from the sides a burnt sienna color (redish) for the tracks. then sprayed from the top a brownish color (I think military brown) for the ties. For colors use "flat."

When mostly dry I used a "sponge type sanding pad" across the top of the rails and it removed the paint (now the tops are all shiny again). Then, putting the track connectors on scratches the paint to make good electrical contact. I only have one connection that doesnt seem to take. I will crimp the connectors tighter and try again when I get home tonight.

The connectors are shiny. I will detail with a brush later once the track is all nailed down and happy.

Also, in the book I bought I found a note about ballasting. Most resources I have seen say use a "wet water" mixture (dish detergeant in water). This book advocates using rubbing alcohol and using a pump type spray. - Just to share.

tim

[sneakerspray]

Re: MS Platform Track Install

Thanks for the tips. I had previously done an HO scale train when I was like 13 or 14 and I spray painted the track and then had a horrible time removing the paint... lol. (and I left track shaped stains in the garage... lol)

I should be at the painting stage soon.