Tracklaying without chairs

[Oldddudders]

Exhibit A shows a bridge which I kitbuilt some years ago, in quarter-inch scale, i.e. 1:48. It is American O Gauge, and is a pretty good likeness for Bridge 45B on the Rio Grande Southern in Colorado. The track gauge should be 3', but On30 uses OO/HO gauge track, so effectively is about 2' 8" in 1:48. It is just over 2 feet long.

 

 

As you can see, the kit enabled me to put the sleepers down, and they undoubtedly contribute to the strength of the structure - but of course there is no way that I can now just slap On30 Peco on top and pretend it looks right. The curve is 42" in radius, reflecting the full-size 168' radius over the bridge. It formed part of the sharpest section of a curve of no less than 215 degrees - yes, more than a semi-circle - at this location, Ophir.

 

Can anyone suggest the best way to accurately spike Code 100 rail to this bridge, and what components, tools and gauges I would need to get it right, please?

[Tequila Sunrise]

Spikes can be obtained here http://www.kbscale.com/track-parts.html.

 

Track gauges might be a problem as most OO suppliers use code 75 rail or slightly larger, rather than code 100. - C&L for example http://www.finescale.org.uk/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=51#gauges. Depending on the rail head size, you might find Code 100 might not fit the gauges.

[trisonic]

Ian - You might get away with it - it is the width of the top of the rail that is crucial not the height (which is what the "Code" is). Suggest give C&L a call, maybe?

Btw most keen On30 types over here use Code 70 anyway but American Code 70 definitely is narrower than British Code 75 (3.5mm vs 4mm scale).

 

Best, Pete.

[Oldddudders]

Spikes can be obtained here http://www.kbscale.c...ack-parts.html.

 

Track gauges might be a problem as most OO suppliers use code 75 rail or slightly larger, rather than code 100. - C&L for example http://www.finescale...emid=51#gauges. Depending on the rail head size, you might find Code 100 might not fit the gauges.

That's very helpful - thanks. I can probably use some Code 83 (still Peco) that seems to be hanging about here if the gauges won't play with Code 100.

 

I have another bridge to do, currently 3' long, could easily end up as 5' or even more (the prototype was 445'), so I do need to perfect my technique.

 

More anon.

[hayfield]

Ian

 

From memory Marcway do code 100 roller gauges, if you decide to use code 82 flat bottom rail Peco do a 3 way gauge (00 / EM / P4) in part of their Indvidual lay range ref IL 115, brought one recently so they are still available. Others also do code 100 roller gauges Markits?

 

I would predrill the holes for the spikes

[Oldddudders]

Ian

 

From memory Marcway do code 100 roller gauges, if you decide to use code 82 flat bottom rail Peco do a 3 way gauge (00 / EM / P4) in part of their Indvidual lay range ref IL 115, brought one recently so they are still available. Others also do code 100 roller gauges Markits?

 

I would predrill the holes for the spikes

Thanks for that. On my HO and now OO layouts I have for years pre-drilled the Peco sleepers before putting in the track-pins that some on here so despise! This is because I use very hard particle board as the baseboard. The On30 sleepers on the bridges are made from sugar-pine - a wood I'd not heard of before. When the spikes arrive I'll do some testing away from the bridge.

 

Trisonic Pete's point about Code 70 has set me thinking. The layout will not have very much track, so improving standards here and there is a possibility. Food for thought.

[stadman]

Isn't that the trestle near Trout Lake?

Have passed it and taken a few pic's.

[Oldddudders]

Isn't that the trestle near Trout Lake?

Have passed it and taken a few pic's.

Trout Lake is about 4 miles further uphill towards Lizard Head, but you are very close! The nature of the terrain meant that the line is all bridges along here, in its desperate attempt to gain height - after all Lizard Head is over 10k' ASL! - and the Ophir Loop, with the station at 9236' ASL is all part of that.

[Allegheny1600]

Hi Ian,

This is the absolute correct(!) tool for the spiking process: http://www.micromark.com/spike-insertion-plier,8242.html but....you may find it a little expensive unless you're going to be converting your whole barn to 0n30!?! You could always modify a cheap pair of pliers, perhaps?

A fair bit cheaper and closer to home(ish!) is this: http://www.shesto.co.uk/p116/Pin-Pusher-%28Nailer%29-with-Depth-Stop/product_info.html

Lovely looking bridge btw!

Cheers,

John E.

[Oldddudders]

This is the absolute correct(!) tool for the spiking process: http://www.micromark...plier,8242.html but....you may find it a little expensive unless you're going to be converting your whole barn to 0n30!?! You could always modify a cheap pair of pliers, perhaps?

A fair bit cheaper and closer to home(ish!) is this: http://www.shesto.co...oduct_info.html

Yes, the Micromark tool is the canine's wotsits, but as you say, may be a bit of a luxury. I do have a simpler version of the Shesto product, which lacks the depth fixing, and that has been used for years on OO and HO track. Once the spikes appear, all may become clearer!

[PhilH]

I see Debs has seen the topic - surely she can sort you out for some gauges?

[Oldddudders]

I see Debs has seen the topic - surely she can sort you out for some gauges?

I was under the impression her products were for 7mm standard gauge?

[PhilH]

I was under the impression her products were for 7mm standard gauge?

 

I thought she does bespoke stuff as well - no harm in asking.

 

[Oldddudders]

I thought she does bespoke stuff as well - no harm in asking.

One generally has to be in her good books before asking a lady a favour - especially if there might be money involved! And at 5'14" Debs can probably give a chap quite an effective cuff!

 

I'll try a PM all the same....