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when to use rerailers

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  • Member since
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  • From: Canada
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when to use rerailers
Posted by wickman on Sunday, September 18, 2005 8:41 PM
I wanted to know where would I put rerailers I will have a mountain with to rail lines passing thriugh it would it not be a good place to put a rerailer on the entrance of both sides of the mountain on both rail lines as well as where else would I install a rerailer?
  • Member since
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  • From: Vancouver Island, BC
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Posted by selector on Sunday, September 18, 2005 11:52 PM
A good place to have a rerailer is at a cross-roads, or anywhere you have a clear and open straight track where you can use it and not have to reach over trees, water towers, poles, buildings, etc. The preference is to place it where you can reach it! Usually that is somewhere near your controller or panel, or in a turntable approach track, whatever.

The other thing you could do, although it would mean having it on an electronically switched track, is as part of an on-layout isolated programming track. That track could be the approach to the turntable.

If I had to say it in five words or less, it would be this way: "Right in front of you."
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  • From: US
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Posted by cmrproducts on Monday, September 19, 2005 4:45 AM
I have the rerailers in all of my tunnels and on both ends of loop staging and at the exit of any single ended staging.

It may not work every time but it never will hurt to put them there. They don't have to look nice in the hidden areas so any type of rerailer will work.

BOB H - Clarion, PA
  • Member since
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  • From: Canada
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Posted by wickman on Monday, September 19, 2005 8:53 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by cmrproducts

I have the rerailers in all of my tunnels and on both ends of loop staging and at the exit of any single ended staging.

It may not work every time but it never will hurt to put them there. They don't have to look nice in the hidden areas so any type of rerailer will work.

BOB H - Clarion, PA

so you would put the rerailer inside the tunnel rather than just before the entrance to tunnel[:)]
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Posted by dgwinup on Monday, September 19, 2005 11:26 AM
I like to put re-railers in hidden locations because, according to Murphy's Law, that's where your derailments are going to happen!

I also use re-railers in longer straight sections and dress them up as grade crossings.

There is no such thing as too many re-railers.

Darrell, tracking quietly...for now
Darrell, quiet...for now
  • Member since
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  • From: Guelph, Ont.
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Posted by BR60103 on Monday, September 19, 2005 8:59 PM
I would also suggest at the ends of bridges. There's a photo of a prototype rerailer at the start of a bridge -- same design as the model, but made of steel angle -- you don't want trains popping off over the side.

--David

  • Member since
    May 2005
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Posted by dgwinup on Monday, September 19, 2005 10:45 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by BR60103

I would also suggest at the ends of bridges. There's a photo of a prototype rerailer at the start of a bridge -- same design as the model, but made of steel angle -- you don't want trains popping off over the side.


Excellent suggestion, David. I'll have to remember that when I start designing my next layout. Thanks!

Darrell, quiet...for now
Darrell, quiet...for now
  • Member since
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  • From: Weymouth, Ma.
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Posted by bogp40 on Monday, September 19, 2005 11:18 PM
If you don't want to look at an ugly rerailer next to your beatiful bridge, make sure the bridge guard rails are added and extend beyond the abutment. The rails are curved/bent inward almost touching. MicroEngineering and Central Valley offer very good bridge ties/ bridge flex that guard rails are easily added.
Bob K.

Modeling B&O- Chessie  Bob K.  www.ssmrc.org

  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: US
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Posted by cmrproducts on Tuesday, September 20, 2005 4:37 AM
wickman

Yes I put them inside the tunnel as I figured that I could rerail the cars if they were derailed outside the tunnel.

On my layout I have several very long tunnels and I use the rerailers as extra insurance. I am also able to access the tunnels from underneath but I hoped that the rerailers would keep the cars on the train until it come out the other end if I had a problem thus eliminating the need to get down under the benchwork.

BOB H – Clarion, PA

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