Miniatur Wunderland Weekly Report
13.01.03 at 10:32 hrs
Weekly Report No 115, CW 2
From Monday, 06.01.2003 to Sunday, 12.01.2003
Here it is: The first report covering the American section. 1st chapter: the benchwork and - very important - the helix from the Atlantic tunnel up to zero-level. We use cabinet-grade plywood which we had milled at our supplier's shops. This way, it just needs to be set crosswise into each other which gives a very strong and lightweight base. This "table" is then mounted to adjustable steel legs and set absolutely level.
The benchwork is set up again and levelled out. Now the elements have to be fixed.
A fitting piece of scrap wood, carpenter's glue, and a few screws will do the job.
Every once and again, the plans are studied since it is not always quite clear which details have to be observed. Most favorite question :' What the heck did the masterplanner mean by this?' ;-)
The helix.... And what is needed for such a helix?
Threaded rods, nuts, washers, carpenter's glue, screws, and the subroadbed.
Sheets of cork are glued to the subroadbed and holes drilled for the threaded rods.
After that, the space for the washers is cut out from the cork to ensure a very tight and stable fit.
Below and above the subroadbed, the threaded rods are fixed using the washers and nuts.
This way, exact adjustments are easily made after the track has been laid.
This is, how the finished helix looks like. The gradient is still way too steep but you need space to lay the most important stuff...
... the track - a job to be finished this week...
Nighttime impressions - The wide bridge spanning the tracks at the right of Hamburg Main Station.
