wood sleepers?

[hornbeam]

hi all,

does anyone know of a good source for wood sleepers? im happy to drill/ pin the rail and cut to length, but not to width. I know Brandbright offer them but they are a long lead time.

Simon

 

[korm kormsen]

i took a plastic sleeper to the local carpenter, explained for about half an hour what i wanted, then waited about twenty minutes till he had made me a box full of sleepers.

 

[dunnyrail]

The way I got sleepers when I built my own track years ago was to buy 2.4 metre lengths of cut to shape wood from a DIY store like Wicks. Then I built a small jig so that I could keep cutting the same lengths off. Funny in my clear out for moving I have just junked the jig (lucky old bin I say) as I have settled on Peco. The problem I had with wood skeepers outside was that the Brass pins kept lifting due to expansion and contraction of the wood pushing up the pins. Steel pins worked better as they rust in place to stop the problem.Once they have rusted a bit an annual protection of old engine oil keeps them from rusting any more, not environmentally friendly I know but it did work.

The life of my track was pretty good as it was passed onto a friend and used on his line, only giving up the ghost finally a couple of years ago. It was originally built back in 1987 so around 20 odd years use outside.

Good luck with your track build

JonD

 

[hornbeam]

Thanks guys.

I think Tenmille will be supplying me with the timber. Ill cut to length and treat it, not sure what with yet.

si

 

[TLR]

About 20 years ago I was given a box of parkay flooring, which when split in half and reduced in length produced enough sleepers for about 200 feet of track. The sleepers when cut were then placed in a bucket of creosote for about a week then drained placed in a jig then flatbottomed rail was pinned to the sleeper using 3/8th brass flat headed pins from Brandbright, as has been said they do need knocking back down now and again, I then tried 1/2in steel pins they were refered to as gimp pins they work but do need a coat of preservative every 2/3 years.
Good luck
Shaun.

 

[gregh]

I make my sleepers from treated pine used for making lattice. The lattice manufacturer sells them in 6' lengths. He will cut them in three lengthwise so they are about 11mm wide. (Or find a mate with a table saw - we cut 5000 in one afternoon)
Then I cut them to about 90-100 mm lengths at home. It's not difficult. See my web pages here, about halfway down under " Brass track'

http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/satr/track.htm

 

[hornbeam]

Wow! Awsome track there. I think I'll build a rig and go from there. Long as the track is well drained hopefully they will last ok.