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aluminum rail

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  • Member since
    July 2008
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aluminum rail
Posted by odyssey on Monday, September 1, 2008 12:20 AM

I want to build my own track and am looking for a source of code 332 aluminum rail.

I find that Llagas Creek only sells code 250 and code 215, and know of no other supplier.

Any help would be appreciated.

This rail would likely be 5 to 6 feet long and I would have to have it shipped to Canada.

 

 

  • Member since
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  • From: Peak District UK
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Posted by cabbage on Monday, September 1, 2008 9:00 AM
I am not actually sure that you be able to find any(?) PECO used to make, and still lists, Code 250 IL9A Vignoles profile in Aluminium. All the "individulay" componants are all 1 yard lengths.

Does it have to be Vignoles profile and does it have to be Aluminium?

Cliff Barker do Gauge 1 self assembly Bullhead profile track in Brass or Stainless steel -the latter available in 2 yard lengths.

regards

ralph

The Home of Articulated Ugliness

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Posted by Great Western on Monday, September 1, 2008 3:37 PM

Aristo-Craft used to have aluminum rail in stock but I am not sure whether they have any left.  There was some mention of Aliminum being re-made due to the higher cost of brass and stainless steel.

All I can suggest is to give Aristo a phone call:   973-351-9800  which, as you probably know, is Irvington, New Jersey,

Alan, Oliver & North Fork Railroad

https://www.buckfast.org.uk/

If you don't know where you are going, any road will take you there. Lewis Carroll English author & recreational mathematician (1832 - 1898)

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Posted by Dick Friedman on Tuesday, September 2, 2008 4:21 PM

I've probably got about a dozen sticks of Al code 332 rail that are taking up space in my garage.  Don't know how much it would cost to ship it to Canada, or if I'd run afoul of Canadian or American customs, but reply offline if you're interested and I'll look into it.

The sticks are at least five feet long.  I'll check it out later today.

  • Member since
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  • From: Florida, USA
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Posted by Narrowgauge on Sunday, December 14, 2008 10:51 PM

 Odyssee,

Try Switchcrafters, I just received some samples of their product in Code 215, 250 and 332. Top notch looking stuff.

 http://abc.eznettools.net/cgi-bin/ez-catalog/cat_display.cgi?account=X381875;search=14;search=Rail%20(Aluminum%20Only);limit=category;v=2.0;layout=system:layout_0100.xsl

Good luck.

 Narrowgauge

  • Member since
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  • From: Lake Elsinore, CA
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Posted by Dean Peterson on Tuesday, December 16, 2008 2:53 PM
Try California and Oregon Coast http://www.cocry.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=CO1332 They seem to have a good selection
  • Member since
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  • From: Flint / Petoskey MI
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Posted by mid michigan steamer on Tuesday, December 16, 2008 5:53 PM

Micro Engineering makes very good aluminum rail, codes 250and 332, plus various rail joiners and white metal tie plates.  I used to live in Canada and was able to buy it from them and have it shipped directly into Canada...no problem with Canada Customs either.  These are also sold thru Walthers and their online catalog, or thru any hobby shop that uses Walthers as their supplier.

 I have built LOTS of G scale track using wood ties (cedar and redwood), stainless spikes, and aluminum rail and it has lasted very well.

 

Good luck......mike

  • Member since
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  • From: Slower Lower Delaware
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Posted by Capt Bob Johnson on Tuesday, December 16, 2008 6:43 PM

Check Aristo-Craft, they are definately reintroducing alum rail after having dropped it from the product line several years ago.  If I recall correctly they may even have some on the water headed here!  The thrust of this is for the battery and live steam guys who don't need all that track power; it gives them cheaper track in these days of high track prices.

  • Member since
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  • From: Flint / Petoskey MI
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Posted by mid michigan steamer on Thursday, December 18, 2008 6:25 PM

I don't agree with the statement on aluminum rail being more for live steam abd battery operators.  I've run track power with aluminum for years with no more problems or maintenance than with brass.

The only small 'issue' is that you can fabricate frogs, diamonds, and power connectors easily with brass since you can solder directly to it.  I've resorted to having a small supply of nickel silver rail on hand of the same size as the aluminum for those situations.  This is another reason I selected Micro Engineering as my supplier of choice, since I can buy both aluminum and nickel silver of the same code size and profile shape.

 By The Way:   not all rail of the same code size is the same.  code 332 from Aristo Creek is a different profile than code 332 from Micro Engineering which is different than LGB which is different than.......etc, etc.   You get the idea.  For this reason alone, carefully review the various brands, pick one and stick to it tenaciuosly.

 Good luck

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  • From: Slower Lower Delaware
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Posted by Capt Bob Johnson on Friday, December 19, 2008 11:47 AM

Aristo has 8 foot aluminum flex track due in on the 30th of this month!  Check thier website to see what might be in stock.

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