Rack line

[scook]

Hi all,

I’ve started to roughly set out the incline for my rack line,
The filcris sections will be spaced out to allow for expansion.
I will use lgb straights so the rack system fits well
Brackets secure the sections onto the concrete posts but I will add one or two stanchions for extra support,

Are there any other tips that people could suggest when laying a rack line?

Thanks Sam

 

[Gizzy]

Looks quite steep, and you need a gentler transition from flat to the incline I reckon Sam....

 

[scook]

Looks quite steep, and you need a gentler transition from flat to the incline I reckon Sam....

Yes that’s what I thought, the base isn’t connected in its position yet so can be moved, so can the gradient, which I might well do.

 

[SevenOfDiamonds]

Are there any other tips that people could suggest when laying a rack line?

You've already been advised to take care with the bottom transition . . . but remember it's just as important at the top too. This picture shows the bottom transition of the rack section on the Whiteleaf exhibition layout during initial testing . . .



This was achieved using a decking plank with a series of lateral cuts to allow it to be curved upwards, and then secured with side plates. It takes up a greater length than you might imagine, so you need to make sure that when you've allowed for your two transitions, and the level bit at the top, you still have a worthwhile length of incline!. When using the rack section, the Whiteleaf layout (as most recently shown at Exeter in October 2023 and at Alexandra Palace in March 2024) is just over 40 foot in length . . .



The other observation is that you appear to be intending to add catenary . . . but the posts need to be vertical (and not at right angles to the slope). LGB allow for this by producing (since 2006) their "Standard" ** catenary posts without bases (56405), and then offering different bases for level track (56302) and for inclined track (56303) . . .



Yours appear to be the pre-2006 versions, with the base integral with the mast.

** The tiltable bases had been used with their "Model" catenary system since around 1988, but not sold separately from the "Model" masts.

Best wishes

David

 

[dunnyrail]

I think it has all been said, we also noticed some ‘cogging’ of the loco on the downhill run. Plus you need different hooks for couplings of vehicles on the rack, LGB do them, they are grey and have a flattened coupling spot to the lower end where the rack rail would be. If you do not fit these the bottom of the coupling hook drags on the rack.