Louisiana Central Railroad Company

The Spencer Woods Trackage:  The photos below will show the track and benchwork construction of the Spencer Lumber Company's run up into the woods to their reload point at Camp 6, east of Whitcomb.  We start with the highest trackage along the wall.  At the far right is the reload point, and the track begins the descent downhill at the left side of the photos.  There will be a double switchback employed to eventually get the track down to the mean benchwork level.

The initial section along the wall looks quite simple, but it was the most difficult benchwork I've installed to date.  The problem was one of access, both for attaching the risers to the joists (less than three inches of working room, and at some risers, even less), and attaching the sub-roadbed to the cleats (not enough room to fit a drill motor to drill the pilot holes).  Generally, I clamped things where they had to be, then removed the assembly so that I could permanently attach parts together with screws.  I did this in four sections until I finally got it all screwed together.  After the switches are laid, I'll have to remove the sub-roadbed once again in order to install the Tortoise turnout motors and do the electrical wiring.  Again, the problem is lack of clearance to fit the drill motor to drill the pilot holes for the Tortoise mounting screws, and the (perceived) difficulty in getting everything aligned properly.  While this will be tedious, it will hopefully result in a much better installation of components.

Once the high line is completed, I'll put in the double switchback and the mainline run heading west back to the mill.

August 2015 Update:  After sitting dormant for almost a year, work has resumed on the high line up to Camp 6.  The track along the wall was installed in late July, and wired up.  Then work started on the double switchback and the mainline back to the mill.  The sub-roadbed has reached into Whitcomb and track will follow over the next few weeks.  Some photos have been added below showing the progress.

June 2016 Update:  Yet another period of inactivity on the Spencer.  However, I recently turned my attention to the remaining areas of construction (primarily the trackage on the peninsula across from the woods trackage along the wall) and got it done.  The mainline enters the peninsula, then snakes all the way to the other end where the sawmill complex is located.  The yard trackage is laid, the Tortoise switch motors are installed, and the wiring is connected.  The trackwork for the entire Spencer operation is complete!