My layout features Micro Engineering flex track and switches, and I need ties to fill in the gap. I have used M.E. ties that I sanded thinner, stripwood (that is either too thin in heigth, or width) and styrene strips. I would rather just buy a bag of ties, but I don't see many available and M.E. doesn't have them on their website anymore.
What do you guys use for M.E. track? I don't want to buy a bag and then find I have to sand them thinner. I want them to work with M.E. ties. Any ideas? Thanks.
Modeling the D&H in 1984: http://dandhcoloniemain.blogspot.com/
If you're using M.E. track, you should have excess ties left over after laying the track. Most of my track is Atlas flex, but I also use M.E. rail on Central Valley tie strips and have turnouts from Atlas, Peco, C.V, Shinohara, and M.E. I use the ties from the Atlas flex in all situations where extra ties are needed. However, rather than thinning them by sanding, I simply use a triangular needle file, the three sides of which are almost the exact width of the base of code 83 rail. The file is used to make grooves in the tie tops where the rail will sit. I then trim-off the moulded-on spike heads which would otherwise be on the normally unseen side of the rails, lift the near rail, and slide the ties into position, letting the remaining two spike heads act as stops.This is quick and easy work, and once the rail is painted (ties, too, if you wish) and the track ballasted, you'd need to hunt to find them. I usually take 10 or 15 minutes to prepare a pile of these ties, and also keep some in-stock - the Atlas ties file very easily.Here's a Peco turnout done in this manner...
...a Shinohara...
...and a Micro Engineering...
Wayne
Fast Tracks has a good selection of wood ties.
This is not about filler ties, but good advice. Although all Code 83 track has the same height for the rails (0.083"), the ties are not the same height. You may need to add shims where different brands of track meet. If not you may get a bump that's very hard to fix afterwards. Here's what I use (styrene strips):
Examples: Add 0.020" shim under Walthers track to make it level with ME track (or 0.030" shim to level with Atlas). Use 0.010" shim under ME turnout if connected to Atlas flextrack. If anyone has more accurate measurements please advise.
Terry
My layout has a lot of Micro Engineering track. Since ME wood ties aren't available anymore, I substitute 6X8 scale lumber. A Northwest Short Line Chopper makes short work of cutting a lot of ties to length. Sometimes I color the ties before installation, but I'll often just paint them when I weather the track. Either way they become nearly indistinguishable after the track is complete.
Although ME plastic ties are a bit more than six scale inches tall, using the thinner wood allows for rail joiner thickness.
Rob Spangler