RR Ties

[Anonymous]

What sizs should a RR tie be for a 45mm track if i build it myself??
(1/4 x 1/4 x 3) is this right

what looks the best?
should i stain them or what?

Thanks,
Super Chicken

[kstrong]

Entirely depends on what scale you're modeling. Prototype ties are around 8" wide by 8' or 8' 6" long for standard gauge ties, and 6' to 7' long for typical 3' gauge ties. 1/4" wide would be 8" in 1:32, so if you're doing standard gauge ties, that's a good width to start with. If you're doing narrow gauge, I'd go with 3/8" or 7/16" wide. You'll want the height to be a bit taller than prototype, as you'll need the depth for the spikes to stick in.

Marc Horovitz wrote an article on hand laying track a while back that's well worth a read if you're at all considering hand-laying track. His track has been in the ground for around 10 years, and is every bit as strong as the day it was laid. Search the index located elsewhere on this site, then call customer service to see if they have that particular back issue still available.

You don't need to stain the ties, but coating them with some kind of wood preservative is recommended. Many folks mix a dark walnut stain with the preservative to give the ties that dark brown color. Note that it will fade over time, just like the real ones.

Later,

K

[FJ and G]

I have heard advice that it is good to make the tie a bit deep (height top to bottom of tie) so that it has more "bite" in floating ballast; that's what I've been doing. I'm using Thompson water seal to help preserve the cedar ties I cut with a table saw. Since mine is O scale, the profile is different.

[Anonymous]

i think that i am going too use white oak ties and stain them DARK because i have seen white oak in the ground for 50+years with no show of decay

i like your ideia a lot FJ and G about the ties
do you think that a RR tie 1/4 x 1/2 x 3 would be a good enogh bite??

Super Chicken