Rail Material

[Anonymous]

I hope to setup a back yard railway soon, but for now, I'm brainstorming on what I can build my tracks out of.  I looked at some bar aluminum at the local hardware store, it was 1/16th inch thick, 1/4 inch tall, and 8 feet long I think.  Cost was around $4.29.  So, 8 feet of track would cost me between $8.00 and $10.00 after wood is factored in.  Is that a good deal?  What other custom track materials are used?  I researched bar aluminum because I read somewhere that someone used it for their tracks. 

Should I call some metal shops around town and check with them for pricing on bar aluminum, or should I stay away from that material all together?  I just feel kind of lost getting started.  I'm very handy, and I know I can build the track, I just don't know where to get the metal from, or what kind to use.

 Last question....how thick does the track metal have to be?  The bar metal I saw at the local hardware store was only 1/16th inch thick.  Is that thick enough?

Thanks.

Brian 

[cabbage]

I think that you should bite the bullet and buy your track -or rails.

The reason for this is the the wheels are designed to sit on a rail profile (either Bullhead or Fishbelly). The track I use is made from Nickel Silver although Aluminium has been used for this by the same manufacturer.

You have not stated where in the world you are (I presume the US?) Brass rail is quite easiliy available as is Nickel Silver and increasingly popular -Stainless steel. Common US practice is to nail (spike) the Fishbelly rail to the sleepers (ties) whilst UK practice is to use Bullhead rail into chairs and then bond the chairs into holes drilled into the sleepers.

Having bought track, and made track -the former is the better option.

regards

ralph

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the response.

I do live in the US, the southeast part....lots of humidity in the summer.  Are there places online to buy the rail, or do I have to buy it locally?  I'd love to find some online so I can shop around and see, but I don't know where to look.  

As for the pre-made tracks, I've seen some on E-bay, and they're just so darn expensive.  I read an opinion in one of the guides on this site, and one point that was mentioned is how bad it looks when you mix different brands of tracks, which may happen if I can't find enough from one place.  There's only one hobby store in my town, and they don't carry G-scale trains, just the smaller scales.

So, I was leaning towards making my own track because of cost, and I like hands-on projects.

I welcome further suggestions, along with some tips on where to look online for track materials, or tracks.  I'm not ruling out buying pre-made tracks.

Thanks. 

[Anonymous]

Sounds like you live in Angleton, Texas! One train shop and about 0 G Scale.

1 point, track is not cheap! I use Aristo-Craft code 332 rail American style and LGB for any turn outs with electric motor on them.

Would advise to buy a good starter set, Aristo...etc.

You have your plans made yet on the road?

[cabbage]

Well I have stolen the following two GIFs from the Brandbright site...

The first shows the std UK Bullhead rail and how it sits in its chairs on the sleepers.



The second shows the Fishbelly (flat bottomed) rail and how it is nailed (spiked) to the sleepers.



The track I use is Nickel Silver made by PECO and is available in metre lengths, similarly Brass rail made by Tenmille is available in metre and 1.5 metre lengths.

Here is a source or rail in the US.

http://www.llagastrack.com/#railmaterials

Probably others will appear as the thread progresses!!!

regards

ralph

[Anonymous]

In response to ToadFrog&WhiteLightn: 

Actually, I live in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

I'm not sure what code 332 rail is, but if I had to guess, that would be .332 inches in height.  Where do you buy your track?  

I'm still researching loco's, but I liked these:

http://www.a2zhobbies.com/Bachmann/Trains_Sets/BAC-009025.html
http://www.trainsetsonly.com/page/TSO/PROD/SETSGBACH/160-90058
http://www.discounttrainsonline.com/Bachmann-4-6-0-Rio-GrandeBumble-Bee/item160-81088.html

I realize these are all Bachmann.  That's just coincidence.  I'd go with any brand if I liked the look of the train.

[Anonymous]

To Cabbage/ralph:

Thanks again for the response.  I checked out the link.  Ouch, I'm seeing these tracks will be expensive.  At least this was all my wife's idea.

I'm getting the impression that most people who hand lay their tracks, start by purchasing the rails online somewhere. 

[two tone]

Always go for good quality track and turnouts, it may cost when you start out but its worth it. My track is LGB and turnouts it`s been down 5 years and so far I have not had any problems. I do add to my layout and by using good fishplates with graphite grease iv`e had no problems

So the choice is yours but our aim is to keep the trains running all day+ enjoy the hobby

[Anonymous]

I must admit, when I first started this thread, I thought people would custom make the rails out of various metals.  I didn't think it was possible to buy pre-made rails, and lay the rails yourself.  That's why I started this thread talking about bar aluminum.  That was what someone else did, and I read about it on his website.  He must have been the only one to do that, because from the looks of it, most people are buying miniture rails, that look just like real rails.  I just need to find an internet source for them.  One poster gave a link earlier in this thread.  I'm curious to see if there are other dealers.

[Anonymous]

There are always people around that want to reinvent the wheel, sometimes they do some pretty good stuff but mostly they waste their time and money, doing things the hard way.

Track is not expensive in the USA and if you really think it is; you may not be financial enough to take part in this hobby; when you look at all the other costs that is.

If i were in the USA i would use Aristo track, LGB switches and LGB track joiners and Hillman clamps for attaching rail to switches.

I do not live in USA and i use our club rail, which comes in 3.69m lengths and you, bend cut and  assemle yourself. 

Rgds Ian

[Anonymous]

I guess I can say for most of us we have our own little web pages we go to for rail and such.

My self here is some to get you started and or email me and I will send you a list which I will have to compile.

8' Flex rail - http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/ari/ari11006.htm

5' Flex rail - http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/ari/ari13001.htm Note: remember you will need different lengths or if you want to cut track to fit, would be like a custom cut job.

Turn outs - The LGB switches I can not remember where I got all my turn outs. Note: some people like to "throw the switch" and other lazy guys like me use electric switch with a stsp switch to open up.

Here are some train sets - http://www.caboosehobbies.com/catalog/advanced_search_result.php?scales_name=G+Scale&roadnames_name=&categories_id=3&inc_subcat=1&manufacturers_id=&keyword2=&sku=&maxrow=300&x=26&y=11

Remember to read anything and every thing about G scale! Get your Garden Railways mag. subscripion. http://kalmbachcatalog.stores.yahoo.net/garden-railroading.html

http://kalmbachcatalog.stores.yahoo.net/garden-railroading-downloadable-articles-garden-railways.html

http://kalmbachcatalog.stores.yahoo.net/garden-railroading-downloadable-articles-gardening.html

http://kalmbachcatalog.stores.yahoo.net/garden-railroading-downloadable-articles-how-to.html

http://www.trains.com/grw/default.aspx?c=ss&id=23

http://www.trains.com/grw/default.aspx?c=se&id=0&s=pdf+pullout&submit.x=0&submit.y=0&submit=Search

http://www.trains.com/grw/default.aspx?c=ss&id=93

Hope this helps.

[S&G Rute of the Silver River]

And when all else fails be creative, In the real world, things such as plating, angle stock and even bar stock, have ben used for rail espically in the US. (thank you inner redneck)me I have boxes and boxes of old HO code 100 rail, so I haveto keep my rolling stock small and light but I don't need to spend hardly any money on stuff.

[Great Western]

Greetings Brian,

       As you have found your way to this particular Forum you are probable aware of the magazine Garden Railways.  This has many adverts of suppliers in the USA.  Also at this time of year the model railroad manufacturer Aristo-craft (of Irvington, NJ) have a track Sale.  Check prices with a hobby shop or visit their web site.  

Good trackwork and correctly laid track is critical to generally trouble free railroading.  Unless you are a good engineering type I would say buy track. You can always consider the making of some of your models as many folk do and there are plenty of "shows you how" articles in the various Forums and magazines.

[Old Choo Choo]

I have found train world to be very competitive.    http://www.trainworld.com/

[Anonymous]

Me too, i use trainworld, they are not very communicative but very efficient, i found their freight a bit high though. i do not use Ridge Road anymore as i have had trouble with them. The fact that an article went astray was a minor thing, but when i complained they said they didn't wan to do business with me anymore and thats ok by me.

Rgds