SplitJaw Gap...?

[greggk]

?What gap if any is necessary for Std. Split Jaws with joiner removed on LGB track? I live in the mid-Altantic area.
Thanks

 

[minimans]

?What gap if any is necessary for Std. Split Jaws with joiner removed on LGB track? I live in the mid-Altantic area.
Thanks

With the split jaw clamps it doesnt make any difference what the gap is , since both sides of the joint are clamped the gap isn't going to change?
Oh and doesn't it gat a bit wet living Mid-Atlantic!!

 

[maxi-model]

Given that the purpose of the clamp is to hold the rails together then you want the maximum surface area of rail camped - no gap then.

If you are worried about rail expansion and risks of distortion then you need to look at the un-clamped rails and then we are into multiple solutions dependent on how you have laid your track. More suggestions on this theme will be along in a moment.

Now you wouldn't be living on Accencion Island or the Azores, sort of mid-Atlantic.

Max

 

[Madman]

Yes, don't make gaps in the rail joints when using rail clamps. If your track is not secured to a ridged base, then it will move on it's own.
The Pennsylvania railroad had it's design engineers calculate the possible expansion problems with welded rail, back in the 1960s. The conclusion was that instead of the rails buckling, as some thought they would, the entire assembly would move sideways on curves. This action would take up any expansion issues on tangent track.