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Check-like rails for cobblin


metijg

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I wanted to embed some of the narrow gauge rails in cobbles, but unusually for the internet i couldn't find a method which seemed to provide an effective end-result. The most common ways are either to use embossed sheet or modelling clay to fill between the sleepers. As far as i could see neither method provides a clean edge to the gap that the wheel flanges run in and often leave the sleepers visible, which breaks the illusion of a buried rail. 

 

Therefore, i wanted to add an additional rail next to the running rails to simulate the tram-like look and give a clean edge. Testing showed this to be impossible as the chairs block any close contact between the rails, so the gap is back and the sleepers are visible. I therefore tried the following..

  • Detached some sleepers and filed off the chairs
  • Glued them to the board upside down to have a flat surface
  • Super glued rail to them, using the normal sleepers as spacers to keep the gauge
  • Destructively remove the normal sleepers to leave the rail glued to a flat sleeper
  • Added a second rail in contact with the running rails

 

Without a doubt this was the most patience testing modelling I've done, but the end results exceeded my expectations, visually recreating those tram-like rails. My only problem is to find the enthusiasm again to do the rest

 

Final thought - Super Glue is the devils invention.

 

 

 

Edited by metijg

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Well done. Nice effect. I made checkrails in 0-16.5 but I cut myself some PCB slepers and soldered my rails to them which is even more time consuming! :P

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11 hours ago, Mountain Goat said:

I made checkrails in 0-16.5 but I cut myself some PCB slepers and soldered my rails to them which is even more time consuming! :P

 

Just had a look at this thread. Wow! I thought i was being persistent that you take it to another level..

 

Will follow your work, it looks very thought provoking

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The track you are loking at is Tram Rail and has a profile as shown in the photo. In models the easiest way to represent this is with a slim rail from a smaller scale, applied as a check rail.

DSC_7651mod1.jpg

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11 hours ago, metijg said:

 

Just had a look at this thread. Wow! I thought i was being persistent that you take it to another level..

 

Will follow your work, it looks very thought provoking

 

For the checkrails I only soldered the one side of the rail as there was no room to solder both sides like I did for the rails without check rails. When I get my backscene and control panel built I can do some testing of the track as at the moment I used  some 00 gauge clockwork locos to test the track. :D

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