Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Material to fill the gap between rails

8578 views
16 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    December 2016
  • 35 posts
Material to fill the gap between rails
Posted by Painter Carver on Friday, January 13, 2017 5:41 PM

Several old articles and books that I have mention using Android Cement to fill the gaps between the ends of rails when leaving such a gap for purposes of electrail isolation or rail expansion. However, I understand that Android Cement is not longer available. Does anyone have a recommendation what to use instead?

Thanks,

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,367 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Friday, January 13, 2017 5:56 PM

I use a strip of Evergreen styrene, usually .015" or .020" thick. Then using super glue gel or a thick-bodied ACC, drop a little in the gap and place the styrene in the gap. It's OK if it is a little long since you can trim it with flush-cut nippers then lightly file or sand it once the ACC has set.

That's my method, anyway. Others may have their own method.

Have Fun, Ed

  • Member since
    November 2016
  • 476 posts
Posted by j. c. on Friday, January 13, 2017 6:01 PM

pliobond or barge cement

  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: SE Minnesota
  • 6,847 posts
Posted by jrbernier on Friday, January 13, 2017 6:01 PM

  I have used styrene strip glued in with ACC or 90 second epoxy.  A few swipes with a fine cut mill file and you are good to go.  The styrene strip material prevents the gap from closing up.

Jim

Modeling BNSF  and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Friday, January 13, 2017 6:13 PM

Painter Carver
I understand that Android Cement is not longer available

There is a revival of the great BBC series RED DWARF and Kryton is the Android.

  Ambroid is the name of the cement.  I'm not sure what makes it special, as ACC works just as well for your purpose but if you really want it...http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/112232856344?format=1&hlpv=1&cond=1&rmvSB=true

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    January 2015
  • From: Southern California
  • 1,682 posts
Posted by Lone Wolf and Santa Fe on Friday, January 13, 2017 7:40 PM

I use the plastic insulated rail joiners made by Atlas.

Modeling a fictional version of California set in the 1990s Lone Wolf and Santa Fe Railroad
  • Member since
    January 2004
  • From: Canada, eh?
  • 13,375 posts
Posted by doctorwayne on Friday, January 13, 2017 7:55 PM

I use .020" thick ABS plastic sheet from Plastruct, as shown here...

I cut the gaps using a cut-off disc in a motor tool, then slip a small square of the material into the gap and apply some ca.  Once the glue has hardened, the excess plastic can be cut away and what's left can be carved to match the profile of the rail...

You can touch it up with paint similar to whatever you use on the sides of the rail, but even if you clean track, the spacers are barely visible due to the dark grey colour...

If you happen to cut the gap too wide, as has happened to one in the photo above, laminate two pieces of plastic together, then widen the gap to suit.  The dark grey colour makes it pretty-well disappear.

Wayne

  • Member since
    December 2016
  • 35 posts
Posted by Painter Carver on Friday, January 13, 2017 8:05 PM

Thanks, eveyone for your ideas. They certainly answer my question and give me plenty to go on.

Regards

 

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Clinton, MO, US
  • 4,261 posts
Posted by Medina1128 on Saturday, January 14, 2017 5:19 AM

I use a light duty cutoff disk from Dremel. Since I also use their extension drive cable, I'm able to get the disk closer to perpendicular. After cutting the gap, I CA (Super Glue) a thin strip of "FOR SALE" sign from Wal-Mart into the gap. Once it sets up, I trim the top off with sprue cutters, then trim the inner and outer rail web to fit.

NOTE: ALWAYS USE EYE PROTECTION WHEN USING CUTOFF DISKS!! I used goggles once, and when the disk exploded, a piece of it hit me in the neck. I NOW use a full face shield.

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Saturday, January 14, 2017 5:37 AM

Lone Wolf and Santa Fe

I use the plastic insulated rail joiners made by Atlas.

 

Same here.  They go on just like metal rail joiners and cannot even be seen once the track is ballasted.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: North Dakota
  • 9,592 posts
Posted by BroadwayLion on Saturday, January 14, 2017 8:51 AM

LION uses air-gaps. Him have no problem with that.

 

ROAR

The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.

Here there be cats.                                LIONS with CAMERAS

  • Member since
    December 2016
  • 35 posts
Posted by Painter Carver on Saturday, January 14, 2017 2:59 PM

Thanks for mentioning that. I noticed that even without anything to fill the gaps my cars seem to move over the area without any problem which, of course, makes one question the need for any type of filling at all.

 

 

  • Member since
    September 2014
  • From: 10,430’ (3,179 m)
  • 2,311 posts
Posted by jjdamnit on Sunday, January 15, 2017 6:40 PM

Hello all,

I remember reading somewhere that the plastic bread ties work well in the gap.

Cement them in and then trim after the adhesive has dried.

Hope this helps.

"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"

  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: Southwest US
  • 12,914 posts
Posted by tomikawaTT on Monday, January 16, 2017 1:43 PM

I still have a few orange Atlas rail joiners, which I'll use right up front when I finish the trackwork at Tomikawa.  When I got them I thought they looked butt ugly.  Then I discovered a prototype insulated joint the same color.  The same manufacturer provides them in black and baby blue (!!)

By all means put something in the gap if it's intended for electrical isolation.  If it's just a place where two rail ends meet it might be wiser to leave it open.  Changes in temperature and humidity can cause rail ends to close or open gaps - or cause the rail to buckle if the gap wasn't wide enough.

Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)

  • Member since
    December 2016
  • 35 posts
Posted by Painter Carver on Monday, January 16, 2017 2:00 PM

Thanks for the last two responses. My gaps are intended for electrical isolation and I have used plastic rail joiners so will definitely fill the gaps.

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Pa.
  • 3,361 posts
Posted by DigitalGriffin on Monday, January 16, 2017 2:56 PM

Thin styrene strip, trimmed & sanded after the glue dries.

They also have plastic rail joiners which a gap spacer in the middle of the joint.

Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions

Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Pa.
  • 3,361 posts
Posted by DigitalGriffin on Monday, January 16, 2017 2:59 PM

Painter Carver

Thanks for mentioning that. I noticed that even without anything to fill the gaps my cars seem to move over the area without any problem which, of course, makes one question the need for any type of filling at all.



Joiners help around corners.  But they help reduce the the "clickity clack" and car rocking.

Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions

Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!