Modelling Blunt nose crossing vees accurately

[Andy Reichert]

Much has been made here on RM Web of using blunt nose vees to correctly represent UK track realistically. 

 

However, given the accuracy required to avoid creating an additional vee "bumping" issue, I am wondering what gauges and/or methods are available for the "average" UK 4mm modeller to ensure that the process is both simple and sufficiently accurate?

 

Andy

[jim.snowdon]

By the time the prototype blunt nose is scaled down to 1:43, let alone 1:76, it is as near a point as makes no difference. Filing the rail to a point and just breaking the sharp edge is about as practical a solution as there is. It doesn't need gauges to achieve that. More critical is the ability to shape the two crossing rails so that they fit together at the desired angle with the web of one rail carried through to support the tip of the nose.

 

Jim

[AndyID]

On 24/04/2020 at 06:46, jim.snowdon said:

By the time the prototype blunt nose is scaled down to 1:43, let alone 1:76, it is as near a point as makes no difference. Filing the rail to a point and just breaking the sharp edge is about as practical a solution as there is. It doesn't need gauges to achieve that. More critical is the ability to shape the two crossing rails so that they fit together at the desired angle with the web of one rail carried through to support the tip of the nose.

 

Jim

 

In 1:76 scale the nose is about 2 mm back from the intersection of the gauge face lines.

[jim.snowdon]

Under current UK standards the blunt nose is fixed at 16mm wide (or 0.21mm in 1:76 scale) and the distance back from the intersection point is, neceessarily, determined by the crossing angle. For a 1:8, such as many modellers use, the back set is 128mm (16 x n), or 1.7mm.

 

The practical cnsiderations that determine the need for the blunt nose do not scale down from the prototype, a fact that modellers can exploit by making the nose finer if that helps them with ride through the crossing.

 

Jim