Tie for Lionel Tinplate

[jlrocks]

I have got my layout started and am wondering what everyone that is using the tinplate track uses for ties between the metal ones. Is everyone filling in the gaps or just leaving well enough alone? I have taken a plan from the May 2005 CTT entiltled "Full of Surprises" and modified it some on a U-Shaped layout 14X12X8. Now comes the rael work of laying ties but wonder what to use. Any ideas?

[prewardude]

I leave well enough alone on my layout (using trad. tubular). I prefer the traditional tinplate look, though.

Regards,
Clint

[Dave Farquhar]

I like the traditional look but I do think the track looks better with extra ties. I salvage ties off rusty track, repaint them if necessary, replace the insulation if it's worn, and crimp them on in between the factory ties. It makes it look a little more realistic, but the oversize ties with big holes in them still make it look like tinplate track. And I think it makes the track a little quieter, by reducing the vibration. And all that extra metal between the two outer rails can only help the grounding.

Most people use either rubber or wooden ties. The ruber ties are a commercial item; several companies advertise them in the back pages of CTT. You can use basswood or balsa wood strips to make your own wooden ties. Just cut them to 2-inch lengths and paint them black or brown with cheap acrylic paints, then place them under the rails.

[cnw1995]

I've also used coffee stirrers and popsicle sticks in the past - painted suitably.

[Dr. John]

I use the rubber ties made by 3 R Plastics. They look good and help cut down on noise.

http://www.3r-plastics.com/

[pbjwilson]

I used 1/8" Masonite. Really easy to mass produce ties if you have a table saw. Cut 1/2" wide strips. Then cut ties to length. Then I dipped them in thinned black paint. You can turn out a layouts worth of ties in an evening.

[Kooljock1]

Like Dr. John said: "I've been living in the right place, but it must've been the wrong time..."

No. I'm sorry, wrong Dr. John...

The ties from 3r Plastics are just spectacular! They match the color and size of the metal ties, have wood-grain embossed, and best of all tie-plates that the track fits into when you fasten down the track to the layout. They really look like they belong there!

Add in some ballast, and you're on your way to a magazine-quality layout!

Jon [8D]

[jlrocks]

Thanks for all the info. Will try making some and also the rubber ties to see which I like best.

[lionelsoni]

I use popsicle sticks, which you can buy in quantity from hobby stores, cut to length (2 inches) and then painted, for O27 ties. (If you have O31, you will need 2 1/4-inch ties.) They are 3/8-inch wide, narrower than the 1/2-inch O27 tie tops. However, it is difficult to notice the difference in the ballasted track; and the overall impression is of a narrower tie. Even so, 3/8 inch is twice the proper scale width! Since the metal ties are much too wide, adding very slightly narrower ties in-between seems to give an overall impression of a more realistic width.

[FJ and G]

lauan board ripped with table saw with the grain would work (I've done this in the past) as the height is perfect for 027 (assuming you're using that). You can glue the ties to the roadbed if you wish.