Spline Roadbed Construction

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Here is an article by Pete Bellos on the spline technique I adopted.

New Progress Pictures 5/30/2002

Thanks to Pete Bellos and Marc Lechey for their ideas. I glued one of these up as a test and after drying overnight, the wood split when trying to pull it apart but not the glue joints. Very strong.

Here is one of the low cost clamps holding the spline as it dries. I made about 30 of these in a couple of hours. Cheap too. I glued one half on and the other half is fastened with a small nail.

Click on any image for a larger view.

This will be the 2% grade downhill headed towards Chama.

Site of a curved turnout leading into Chama yard. I used spring clamps here because of the width.

16 feet of spline and a few hours work.