The next construction phase took track into the outside world on an elevated section which descends along the east wall of the house down toward the ground at the southeast corner of my shop. One of "industries" is taking products from the basement pantry to be delivered to the upstairs deck (eventually). Consequently, loads will be headed downhill from the basement, which allowed me to use a 10% grade. This was the liability of using the basement for the storage yard, as it was quite a bit higher than the backyard. Even at 10%, the track at the end of the elevated section was still about 10" above the ground.
Before any roadbed construction could begin, I needed to extend the east fence to the north about 12', and connect it back to the house, while adding a gate. This enclosed the natural gas furnace and the area of the yard where the track emerged from the basement. The track swings around the furnace in a big question mark, and then parallels the house, heading south for about 30'. Here you can see the fence extension and the beginning of roadbed construction.
The roadbed was constructed with fir 2"x8", splined together to make the 5' diameter question mark, elevated on 4"x4" posts, set on cast concrete piers, about every 6'. Holes were dug, steel posts hammered into the ground for additional support, and forms shaped the above ground footing, with tubes in place for thru bolting the wooden upper portion of the support posts. Here are three forms ready for concrete.
A finished footing ready for the next step, showing the copper tubes for the bolts.
2"x4" side supports are bolted to the concrete footing and the 4"x4" post is cut to the proper height and screwed in place.
Almost 2/3 of the elevated roadbed is installed.
Finished construction, ready for paint and installation of track.
WTC1 takes the work crew and a test train down the newly installed track.
Doors were installed at the opening of the wall from the basement to the elevated section.
