DoughlessPersonally, I don't know how easy it is to source blank PC board material, but then again I've never tried. Not sure if it even exists without circuitry embedded.
Edit 2: It was a YouTube video and I had it completely backwards. The video poster originally ordered from China, but found better qualilty stuff (and less expensive) from an eBay seller in New Hampshire named "abcfab". The video is here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5HRE6ed9gg) and he starts the discussion at 2:35.
Returning to model railroading after 40 years and taking unconscionable liberties with the SP&S, Northern Pacific and Great Northern roads in the '40s and '50s.
If I had it to do over with my Walthers Shinohara Double Crossovers, I would have immediately secured them to a fitted piece of styrene sheet, maybe 0.060" sheet, to prevent flexing and warping. I never use caulk to secure my track work to the subroadbed (plywood in my case), but I would caulk the DCO to the styrene sheet. It needs to be flat and stable.
Rich
Alton Junction
DoughlessPersonally, I don't know how easy it is to source blank PC board material, but then again I've never tried.
I know that's a kind of kludge-esque solution, but it lets you stock just one kind of board for projects...
PC Board material is available.... Depending on the size and amount you want.
PC Board ties are very readily available, from several sources.
Online RS (Radio "Store" ) has PC Board in a few sizes. Other suppliers as well.
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
Rich,
Did you spike the turnout at the locations provided in the turnout ties?
Dante
dante Rich, Did you spike the turnout at the locations provided in the turnout ties? Dante
Initially, when I installed the Walthers Shinohara Double Crossovers in the 2005-2006 period, a lot of thinking on the forum was to let turnouts "float". So, that is what I did. But, I eventually started to conclude that was a mistake, so I nailed the DCOs trhough the roadbed into the plywood subroadbed.
But, it proved too late. I had already begun to experience power losses on some rail segments. I believe that this was caused by the thin copper jumpers coming loose on the underside of the DCO, and that was caused by flexing of the turnout.
I will work my way down to the basement later this morning to photograph the underside of my remaining DCO so you can see the jumpers. There are lots of them.
I let my turnouts float except for the curved ones. I have several WS curved turnouts and big steam derailed on them until I stuck'em down. I used the thinnest layer of caulk to hold them down and they do come up easily with no residue on them if need be.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
gmpullmanMy experience has shown that after 26 years I have had little trouble with any of my Walthers/Shinohara code 83 including double crossovers.
I appreciate you sharing your experiences Ed.
I hope my "New Old Stock" Walthers/Shinohara turnouts prove to be just as reliable. I don't know if I will have 26 years left for me, but that sounds like a good long lifespan for a trackage component.
-Kevin
Living the dream.