08-11-2009, 07:09 AM
I went with shortliner's idea of using the K&S U-profiles and the warning of aligning everything correctly was very true - I even managed to BEND one of the profiles about 45 degrees which almost ruined the entire project (well, at least until I would get some more metal to replace it), but after twisting and bending it back into shape the damage is largely undone. It is a very close fit, but at least it can be moved back and forth without forcing it and it won't slide by itself, which is good. I might need to add a counterweight on the table side as the traverser is now loose and a heavy engine on the edge side might tip the traverser and everything on it into the abyss/ground.
On the first picture you see how the traverser is intended to be used - on the far side there is room for the engine to uncouple (the BR78 on the picture is the longest one I intend to use on this layout), then the traverser can be moved to allow for the engine to move to the other side over an empty after which the traverser can be moved again so that the engine can pull the same train or another one stored on the two other tracks of the traverser onto the layout.
On the second picture the full length of the traverser and the abyss...
The track is due to be laid at the end of September.
On the first picture you see how the traverser is intended to be used - on the far side there is room for the engine to uncouple (the BR78 on the picture is the longest one I intend to use on this layout), then the traverser can be moved to allow for the engine to move to the other side over an empty after which the traverser can be moved again so that the engine can pull the same train or another one stored on the two other tracks of the traverser onto the layout.
On the second picture the full length of the traverser and the abyss...
The track is due to be laid at the end of September.
-norm