Unconventional trackage option

[sandusky]

I read in the model press in the 70's something about making tinplate trackage out of code (I guess) 125 nickel silver rail (hand spiked) and using N gauge rail for the center rail. I wonder if anyone has actually done this or if it was just a someone's notion. I like the nickel silver to eliminate rust, and it seems like it's possible to approximate the appearance of Super O track, if one was crafty. I suppose this type of arrangement, like Gargraves, would eliminate the effect of Magnetraction. Any ideas? Thx

[ADCX Rob]

 To get you started, here is one approach to "hand laid" O-27 track.  This might give you some ideas & a jumping-off point.

Rob

[fredswain]

I hand lay track in all kind of configurations. I'm trying to start a track company so I hope I do! I've got hand laid O-27 from that link, outside 3rd rail, stud rail, and even inside 3rd rail. All using nickel silver Code 148 rail which works out to roughly 136 lb rail which is common on mainlines today. Having all wood ties with 3 Code 148 rails actually looks really nice and you won't get the headaches around switches. With all 3 rails lower profile, the center one appears smaller than it is. Blacken it and it looks really nice. I'll post a picture if you want. I currently only have a lone straight piece using inside 3rd rail but I do have templates to build curves from O-27 all the way to O-72. I have yet to finish the switch design. Maybe I'll just take a picture of it next to an Atlas 3 rail piece for comparison. It looks much smaller.

Fred

[sandusky]

Thanks

[sandusky]

Fred- I posted on your tutorial re: Weather-It and Blacken-It.' Thanks- Mike

[fredswain]

Here's a comparison of my 3 rail straights. This is Code 148 rail with stained wood ties. Sorry about the poor quality of the pictures. I didn't really have time to set it up well. I wish these were ballasted to show just how different they are. The first 3 shots are just general side by side shots. Note that Atlas 3R track uses a much larger Code 215 rail.

 

 

 

 

 

From this next view you can see how much narrower my C148 rail is vs the Atlas C215 rail.

 

 

 

 

Here's a side shot which shows just how much of a difference there really is.

 

 

 

 

 

This last picture is end on. I know, terrible depth of field. I wasn't trying.

 

 

My piece looks just like a nice 2 rail O scale track with an added center rail. That's what it is though.

 

 

Fred

[wiz1500]

 

WOW!!!!

 When can I buy some...I'm in the middle of remodeling my basement for a brand new high rail layout.....I have my RR Track cad program running right now..lolol

We are going to need big turns and big switches

Great job....

[fredswain]

Did you ever see my stud rail? Unfortunately I posted links rather than pictures as I did here. I was just trying to get that track down so I painted the ties a gray color rather than staining them. It still looks pretty good. Just not as good as it should. Here's the link.

http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/p/165829/1823556.aspx#1823556