making my own track

[Fred2179G]

I would also urge you to build the track a little higher than your walking paths.

I had an 18" wall along the main path, although the garden was essentially flat and the hills had to be manually created! It isn't really high enough to sit and watch the trains go by.

 

[stockers]

I would also urge you to build the track a little higher than your walking paths.

I had an 18" wall along the main path, although the garden was essentially flat and the hills had to be manually created! It isn't really high enough to sit and watch the trains go by.

I agree, sit in a low chair and watch the action go by!

 

[R. YOUNG]

Plastic ties (Sleepers) on my pike have lasted since 1982.and are still going strong. If you must spike rail to wood sleepers, why not use proper spikes (Railcraft/Micro Engineering have them in the USofA., Again the steel ones do rust, but mine have lasted for more years than wooden ties will last...when the spikes rust, the rust prevents them from pulling out of the wood...a good reason to avoid Stainless steel spikes that tend to work their way out.
Remember that by the time you finish spiking your rail, after cutting your ties; I will have been running/operating the railroad for several years. If you find spiking rail to be pleasing, or the cost saved to be of great or necessary, then, all the more power to you...As long as you are having fun...that's really all that matters.
Fred Mills

Thanks for your advice, Fred. Yes, cost is a consideration and I'm really intrigued with making my own track so that's most likely the route I'll take. I actually like the idea of using "shoe tacks" as Melbournesparks does. Also not sure about sleepers, pine, redwood, or cedar, again depends on cost.

 

[R. YOUNG]

I would also urge you to build the track a little higher than your walking paths.

I had an 18" wall along the main path, although the garden was essentially flat and the hills had to be manually created! It isn't really high enough to sit and watch the trains go by.

I'm going to consider a "cut & fill" approach but have a septic drain field to contend with.
What would be your recommended minimum height for an elevated layout? I'm thinking maybe 24".

 

[Bruce in NZ]

Hi from a bit further east downunder.

I'm modelling in 15/16mm to the foot and G scale, using 32mm and 45mm gauges. I love building track (in addition to saving cost; a simple turnout/point costs me around US$20 max.).

If you want to use 45mm gauge, then you would have to go to 7/8" to the foot if you want to model 2ft or 2ft 3in with any pretence at realism. If you do this, some of my dimensions will need scaling up.

The Talyllyn Railway (which may be one of those you rode on) is my favourite. I'm not sure about current practice but on the original railway, plain track was supported on every third sleeper by base plates which in turn were spiked to the sleeper. By using this technique, a very rigid track is formed, and th rails cannot creep. I'm planning to use method this very shortly for my 2ft and "2ft 3in" trackwork (32mm). It is the method I have already used on point work, including dual gauge ones, where good alignment is essential. (Note: the F(f)estiniog railway uses chaired track.)

Base plates: I use K & S thin 1/4 inch strip cut to suitable lengths with good quality shears (very quick to make)

Timber: I use either yellow cedar (one of the most rot resistant timbers) or treated pine, in both cases coated and/or soaked with a preservative. The cedar probably does not need preservative, but I use it partly as "belt and braces" and partly for cosmetic reasons. In my scales, I use timber 12mm wide to represent 9 inches prototype which is about right. I use timber 19mm deep (it is a standard dressed timber size at least in these parts) and it takes the full length of spike. Once ballast is added, it looks fine, and is that much stronger and will take longer to rot. A good length for 45mm gauge is about 4 inches or 100mm

Spikes: I have happily used Sunset Valley blackened s/s spikes. They do as has been said tend to work out - sometimes, not always - I think a dab of araldite would deal with this (untested). I found on Ebay some miniature spikes which screw in, and these don't work loose. I don't have the url to hand. They are I believe stainless, and they are blackened, and are particularly useful for repairing track in situ, because they don't require hammering. I am now standardising on the thicker variety of these. Btw, I always pre-drill holes with a 1mm drill in a battery powered Dremel tool.

Rail: I started with code 332. If you are using 7/8" scale, this is fine. Otherwise I strongly recommend using code 250 flat bottomed rail. Code 332 looks wrong and is grossly over scale at 1:19. I've used (Peco) code 200 for complex points and the over engineered LGB wheels will happily run on this without the flanges bumping, so code 250 is more than enough. Living where you do, it is unlikely that elephants will be walking on your track (I'm referring to an LGB promotion). I'm even going to use rail down to about code 180 for sidings.

Sorry, no time for pics at the moment. I can be contacted off list at bruce@beethoven.nz, as I don't monitor this site regularly - although, if contacted, I may well post a reply here,

Bruce from Auckland, New Zealand

 

[dunnyrail]

I would also urge you to build the track a little higher than your walking paths.

I had an 18" wall along the main path, although the garden was essentially flat and the hills had to be manually created! It isn't really high enough to sit and watch the trains go by.

I'm going to consider a "cut & fill" approach but have a septic drain field to contend with.
What would be your recommended minimum height for an elevated layout? I'm thinking maybe 24".

Another way to gain height is to Build a Wall out of something like blocks or bricks. For this you will need a foundation so this gives some earth for a fill. If you make the foundation and wall deeper than the Garden a small pit can be dug to make the line appear higher but not dominate the Garden. It is best to do these pits by Stations where you are likely to be faffing with Trains more. One thing to be certain about is that you soil is well drained for obvious reasons, so it is not a solution for everyone. But with a sloping Garden drainage can be taken from the pit to lower down the Garden thus keeping the pit dry. This is a method that has been used for many moons by the 16mm Live Steam boys.

 

[Tim]

I use tenmille code 200 flat bottom rail. This is no longer available but watch out for it on ebay It dooes come up from time to time. The big advantage is that it has a wide base relative to height making for a stable rail. I get stainless steel blackend dog spikes from Micromart. These can be used in wood or plastic sleepers.
Good luck with your project
Tim

 

[Gizzy]

I use tenmille code 200 flat bottom rail.
Tim

Their website shows part number AG 212 brass rail available. Is this code 200 Tim?

http://www.tenmille.com/Gauge1TrackAccessories.html

They are just up the road from where I work....

 

[Sarah Winfield]

What an enjoyable and inspirational thread. Thank you,

Sarah Winfield