Joining rails of different height

[tramwayknowledge]

My new tramway is going to be using a mix of LGB and Peco track. As you will all know the Peco track has a lower-height rail. I am looking for a simple, but reliable rail joiner joiner between the two rail profiles. Has anyone else encountered - and overcome - this problem? Any advice gratefully received and acknowledged.

 

[Paul M]

I've got to do the same. In discussions with a 16mm body, it was suggested that cutting a short leng the of each track, soldering them together, and then joining the resulting length to the existing track might work. Ie make a converter track similar to the one Hornby made to join their System 6 and Super 4 rails.

 

[Greg Elmassian]

Use a rail clamp like a split jaw, but put a shim underneath the "shorter" rail.

Greg

 

[royale]

Peco make dual rail track joiners specifically for this purpose so Peco and LGB track can easily and smoothly be joined together. Part no. is
SL912 and there are some on e-bay for £10.99 for a packet of six at the moment.

 

[JeffofSpace]

I have the exact same combination. I do have some of the transition joiners mentioned above...the only disadvantage is that they are plastic and conduct through a slim tab of metal. I had to adapt lgb joiners on one section by slipping some plastic beneath the bit holding the Peco rail. Not ideal either. I think I will further modify an lgb joiner to fit properly. Looking forward to hearing everyone’s thoughts on this dilemma.

 

[Gizzy]

Other than the Peco SL 912 joiner as described by Roy-ale is a rail clamp as mentioned by Greg?

Or stick to either code 250 or 332 throughout....

 

[dunnyrail]

If the option of the joiner by Peco does not appeal you could always make a short converter section and solder the differing rail lengths together with a short piece of wire to make the joint stronger. I did exactly this on my friends 0 Gauge line that I modified recently where we had some Peco Rail of differing codes.

 

[Paul M]

If the option of the joiner by Peco does not appeal you could always make a short converter section and solder the differing rail lengths together with a short piece of wire to make the joint stronger. I did exactly this on my friends 0 Gauge line that I modified recently where we had some Peco Rail of differing codes.

See post #2

 

[dunnyrail]

See post #2

Just so but I added the thought of using a piece of wire to strengthen the joint!

 

[Paul M]

Just so but I added the thought of using a piece of wire to strengthen the joint!

True! I didn't think of that

 

[stockers]

I managed to mangle the standard LGB rail joiner with a pair of pliers until both rails were level - sort of!

 

[Greg Elmassian]

I don't think I would brag about that ha ha!

 

[stockers]

It worked!

 

[Paul M]

It worked!

What did?

 

[stockers]

mangled fishplates.

 

[MaybachMD]

My new tramway is going to be using a mix of LGB and Peco track. As you will all know the Peco track has a lower-height rail. I am looking for a simple, but reliable rail joiner joiner between the two rail profiles. Has anyone else encountered - and overcome - this problem? Any advice gratefully received and acknowledged.

I have used just about every make of garden Railway track, joined to Peco G45. I began my line with Peco but subsequently went to LGB, Accucraft, Piko and Aristocraft. I think I have a joint fron each of these makes to Peco and the Peco conversion rail joiners have been very reliable. They have been in use since 2013. I bond the joints as well as my Railway is DCC.
MatbachMD

 

[Zerogee]

I've used a wide variety of track makes (LGB, Piko, Aristo, TL45, AMS) but all of them code 332 - have stayed away from Peco and other smaller profiles......

Jon.