A solution to avoid squashing tubular tracks

[FJ and G]

027, O, and Gargraves rails contain air in the center. Since they are basically, tubes, they are prone to squashing. This can pose problems both on the floor as well as the table if you jump up there to do work or fix a derailed train.

I came across an article about an outdoor Canadian Pacific Railway in Garden RR mag. The layout used Gargraves tubular toy train track set in garden stones including a really impressive concrete viaduct. The tracks could even be walked on because there was a slight depression in the stone for the tracks.

On an indoor layout, you could replicate the same effect with the roadbed by elevating a strip of cork or wood at rail height and then ballast it. On mainlines, I've often seen the ballast up around the track nearly that high.

I'm working on a floor layout (fully scenicked with hi-rail stuff), that will utilize the track-sunk-in-wood method where the tracks intersect with foot traffic. For good measure, I'm throwing a rug across these points when trains aren't running.

I may connect the indoor layout with the outdoor one I'm planning.

[philo426]

I would not recommend"jumping"up on your train tracks.I cannot see why one would do such a thing.If you are looking for more durable track then check out Atlas' line of solid rail track,as it looks pretty durable.

[andregg1]

Hi
About the tracks
My gandfather toll me something very true "keep off the tracks"
Andre.

[Buckeye Riveter]

QUOTE: Originally posted by FJ and G

I may connect the indoor layout with the outdoor one I'm planning.

One word: Lightening

There is a couple of past issues of GRR that discuss lightening protection. I defer to their expertise on this subject, but one of their key points was fire prevention.

[Anonymous]

The crush factor of tubular is the exact reason I built my children's layout with Atlas O solid nickel silver.

I know my kids, knew they would be walking on that stuff, and did not want to be replacing smashed track every couple of months. It was a good investment decision.

BTW, my layout is all tubular.

Fred

[FJ and G]

The outdoor layout would be connected indoors via a removable section.

Some folks choose to walk on their tracks and others don't. It's a matter of individual preference I suppose.

[cnw1995]

David, are you referring to an outdoor O layout using Gargraves track? Floating tracks in ballast like the prototype is a good idea. I'm unfamiliar with indoor layouts where the tracks are walked on or otherwise compressed. That said, I'm sure somebody does it. Maybe it's not as much of an issue with the lower-profile of 027. I'm impressed with how easy it is to mangle 027 track to create short custom pieces... I cut them up with a tin snips and pry out the tubes again with a small screwdriver.

[lionelsoni]

Doug, that's the way I do it too. CTT published my method a few years ago; but I don't know what issue. I have a trick for lining up the cuts. You may have discovered that it helps to use the tip of small long-nosed pliers to flatten the crease at the top of the rail before reshaping the railhead by stretching it around a track pin or 3/32 drill bit or punch.

I have occasionally fantasized about inserting bare copper wire into tubular track, to boost its conductivity. Ten or 12 AWG might be about right for O27. This topic suggests to me that it could also help prevent crushing simply by filling the railhead.

[FJ and G]

Doug,

Yes. I believe that the outdoor gargrave layout made the cover the main feature of Garden RR 2000 (Aug). I think that's the issue.

He soaked the ties in creosote but now that is illegal and hard to obtain and he uses a different chemical. The guy is around 80 years old and has been operating the GG outdoor layout (130 feet long) for about 30 some years. It's double-tracked and even features an 8 ft high concrete viaduct with track going over and under.

The tracks are layed in concrete w/raised lips so you actually can walk on them. It's a pretty wild layout, based on elements from WWII in Europe and the 1950s CP railroad here.

The layout even features concrete gun emplacements over looking the track.

[Buckeye Riveter]

QUOTE: Originally posted by FJ and G

The outdoor layout would be connected indoors via a removable section.

But there will still be power feeder wires to the outside track. Again, I defer to GRR articles about safety.