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In my life I have only once seen G scale track being sold that used real wooden ties foot long sections that were $3.95. Now today not even the mighty internet will allow me to find a source for G scale track with real wooden ties. WTH Are suppliers so stupid they can't see what a 7 year old could point out the need for such a product. DUH! I am really getting mad trying to search high and low and all I get are idiots who sell "prototypical real model trains" with true to life plastic ties and gold rails!
Lay your own rail. Here are some ties: http://www.kapplerusa.com/y2k/p-g-ties.htm
And some rail: http://www.shopatron.com/product/part_number=1035251/394.0
Thats because in real world use, to get real wooden tie scale-looking track, they dont last long, the wood eventually dryrots even if treated, the spikes constantly work loose, IOWs its a LOT of maintainence, and a warrantee nightmare. If you wanted something more durable the spikes end up being very large as do the ties so for the most part, looks very unrealistic. So unless your really into that look, and dont mind doing more maintanence than usual, spike and hand lay your own with stainless steel if you dont like brass, is the way to go. No one is going to make a product that could be rotted and gone in 5 years depending on your climate. Aristo had hell to pay when there early plastic ties deteriorated after a couple years from a bad UV formula. Now all manufacturers are looking at lifespans in excess of 10 years till theres no real excuss for claiming anything other than the non warrentee wear and tear as the reason track going bad.
BTW my LGB "gold" track weathered into a very realistic dark brown after a while exposed to the element, and when you accidently, quite often actually, step on that track outside, you really appreciate the forgiving nature of those plastic ties, no crunking of wooden ties disintgrating under the weight of your body.
Have fun with your trains
GarGraves makes a G and Gauge 1 track in both two and three rail.....I have some of the three rail as I have some prewar Marklin. It comes in either stainless steel or tinplate rails (I have the tinplate) and wooden ties. A 37 inch piece of flex track (you can bend very easily with your hands) was about $5.75 a section. Gargraves.com or check your LHS.
See My World Map
underworld ;)
Check with the manufacturer to make SURE the track is approved for outdoor use, if thats where you plan to use it, most stuff thats designed for 3 rail or tinplate, is not necessarily designed for outdoor use.
Yeah.....the wood definitely would need some treatment. I figured the stainless rails would be ok. I haven't seen the two rail variety in person so I don't know if it is a different type of rail than what is used on the three rail track.
See My World Map....Where you???
underworld
The plastic ties are not that bad. If you are outdoors the balast will cover up some of the ties. You can always paint them as well as the rails to get the look you want.
Since we are on the subject of track i have a queation for Vic what is te best way to bend 4.5 ft aristo track without a railbender. I cant see buying a rail bender unless I can get one for 20-30 bucks
I made my own bender, for under $20, from plans that were in GR back in 04,
Rene, can you tell which issue it was is?
Rene Schweitzer
Classic Toy Trains/Garden Railways/Model Railroader
Oh 2002 thats it! Thanks
Snow how tight are you planning to make it? Aristo already makes for 31" and 21" diameter
vsmith Oh 2002 thats it! Thanks Snow how tight are you planning to make it? Aristo already makes for 31" and 21" diameter
Vic:they dont have to be tight. Im thinking anywhere from 6.5 to 8 ft diameter. I just bought a box of 12 4.5 ft straight tracks from aristo. My plan is to take the right side of my layout out. Just the turn going into the tunnel. Then im going to run the tracks next to each other and then a loop to reconnect. Sort of a half dogbone. See picture below. Basically the right side of layout im extending into a half dogbone.
Found it, its in the June 2002 issue. How do I get a copy of it without having to buy the whole magazine
Yup, wood ties are strictly DIY in large scale. Redwood seems to work best but you can't even get it on the east coast. You can buy the ties from the above listed source. Too much work for us working guys.
Gargraves track has basswood ties. There was an O scale guy who used it outdoors (2000 GR?) but he soaked the ties in creosote. I'm not sure that's even legal anymore.
Aristo brass will weather nicely too as seen here with a new switch amongst old track -
-Brian
SNOWSHOE vsmith Oh 2002 thats it! Thanks Snow how tight are you planning to make it? Aristo already makes for 31" and 21" diameter Vic:they dont have to be tight. Im thinking anywhere from 6.5 to 8 ft diameter. I just bought a box of 12 4.5 ft straight tracks from aristo. My plan is to take the right side of my layout out. Just the turn going into the tunnel. Then im going to run the tracks next to each other and then a loop to reconnect. Sort of a half dogbone. See picture below. Basically the right side of layout im extending into a half dogbone.
Snow, the GR Bender should work fine, I used it to bend down 5' long rail for my 3' diameter portable, so 6' to 8' diameter should be easy in comparison.
I dont know where my 2002 issue is, its buried under a bunch of remodel storage. Its only about a page or two long, I'll try to look around for it.
Thanks vic
Hi there,
The rail link at Shopatron doesn't seem to work anymore. Do you have a new / updated link?
Thanks!!
Did you notice you "revived" a thread from 2008?
No surprise things are different.
What are you looking for?
Greg
Visit my site: http://www.elmassian.com - lots of tips on locos, rolling stock and more.
Click here for Greg's web site
underworld GarGraves makes a G and Gauge 1 track in both two and three rail.....I have some of the three rail as I have some prewar Marklin. It comes in either stainless steel or tinplate rails (I have the tinplate) and wooden ties. A 37 inch piece of flex track (you can bend very easily with your hands) was about $5.75 a section. Gargraves.com or check your LHS.
I have a question for you, please.....have you ever tried to put tie-plates, spikes, or something resembling tie-plates and spikes on your gargraves track? I use the G gauge track, two rail, and I work indoors so I don't need to consider the elements.
The St. Francis Consolidated Railroad of the Colorado Rockies
Denver, Colorado
Yeah, unfortunately I know I "revived" a thread from 2008. My father-in-law loves train and would love to build a G-scale train track running around our backyard. The issue is that the track is umm, expensive. I'm looking for a relatively inexpensive way to get the rail and/or the rail spikes. The ties I'm not worried about (can make it). . . .
What's the best way to do this, and how much would it cost? :-)
Thanks,
Herman
Herman,
If cost is the only factor in consideration, the I would recommend hand spiked aluminum track. One vendor for the rail and spikes is Switch Crafters www.switchcrafters.com. Considering the cost of brass and stainless steel, my future expansions will be in aluminum.
My tuppence worth.
Bob C.
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