The NMRA has Track Standards, but they do not have Rail Standards.
However there is a Recomended Practice for rail:
http://www.nmra.org/sites/default/files/standards/sandrp/pdf/rp-15.1.pdf
From the RP for rail:
"Nominal dimensions only are shown. These dimensions should be adhered to as closely as manufacturing techniques permit in order to facilitate matching rails of different manufacturers and to provide common dimensions for the installation of Rail Joiners."
I tried to sell my two cents worth, but no one would give me a plug nickel for it.
I don't have a leg to stand on.
The NMRA has standards (and many "standards" are actually recommended practices) for track. But they don't cover rail cross section. For that matter the prototype doesn't all use the same cross section of rail and not all whatever lb. joint bars are compatible with all whatever lb. rail.
You are also assuming that the manufacturers are complying with and in conformance with the recommended practices and standards. Maybe yes, maybe no.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
I thought NMRA had standards for track?
I keep Atlas, Walthers, and ME on hand for track laying. What a pain.
South Penn
Because Atlas rail has a much thicker web than ME rail, ME joiners are not as user friendly on Atlas track. I have used Atlas N scale joiners on Atlas HO code 83 track and it worked pretty good. Its a tight fit but a much smaller joiner.
I am hand laying code 83 Microengineering track and using some Microengineering rail joiners. The key I found was to tapper file slightly the bottom flange of the rail making sure there is absolutely no metal burr on the flange. I then slip on the end that does not have little center tab first. I solder it to the bottom of the rail using a little rosin flux and rosin core solder. I prepare the joining track the same way and then slip the joining track on. I do have a short piece of code 83 track that I tappered the flange to about a 30 degree angle that I can use to spread the joiner if it does not want to slip over the prepared section of track. I then solder the second side of the joiner and file off excess solder on the bottom. I too had almost givern up on using these joiners but since successfully installing them, really like the alignment at the rail joints. It just takes a little practice to develop a technique that works for you.
I do have track laid without joiners and I have used some of the Microengineering insulated joiners which slip on much easier but are also a little clunkier.
Jim
wp8thsub carl425 Atlas track Walthers/Shinnohara turnouts. Based on Rob's post, it sounds like this isn't going to work. Maybe there's some way to make it work, but you are likely in for a LOT of extra effort. The rail base/web junction on Walthers code 83 rail is thicker than ME rail, and Atlas 83 is much thicker still. Using ME 83 joiners on Atlas rail amounts to cruel and unusual punishment. Atlas code 80 joiners work well on ME code 83 without modification, need some force to go on Walthers 83, but are too tight to fit on Atlas 83 without a bit of extra effort (e.g. chamfering the rail base and/or flaring the ends of the joiner).
carl425 Atlas track Walthers/Shinnohara turnouts. Based on Rob's post, it sounds like this isn't going to work.
Maybe there's some way to make it work, but you are likely in for a LOT of extra effort. The rail base/web junction on Walthers code 83 rail is thicker than ME rail, and Atlas 83 is much thicker still. Using ME 83 joiners on Atlas rail amounts to cruel and unusual punishment.
Atlas code 80 joiners work well on ME code 83 without modification, need some force to go on Walthers 83, but are too tight to fit on Atlas 83 without a bit of extra effort (e.g. chamfering the rail base and/or flaring the ends of the joiner).
Better to use Atlas rail joiners.
Rich
Alton Junction
carl425Atlas track Walthers/Shinnohara turnouts. Based on Rob's post, it sounds like this isn't going to work.
Rob Spangler
carl425 richhotrain Are you using the ME rail joiners on ME flex track or on some other brand of track? Rich Atlas track Walthers/Shinnohara turnouts. Based on Rob's post, it sounds like this isn't going to work.
richhotrain Are you using the ME rail joiners on ME flex track or on some other brand of track? Rich
Are you using the ME rail joiners on ME flex track or on some other brand of track?
Atlas track Walthers/Shinnohara turnouts. Based on Rob's post, it sounds like this isn't going to work.
I typically use the blade of an Exacto knife to slightly open the end. Gotta be careful, but works well when you're at the stage I am with track mostly in place.
What I've seen others do is take a piece of the requisite rail, mount it in the end of a short dowel for a handle, and then the rail end is chamfered with a file a little. Slide the ME joiner on and it opens just enough to make it easy to slide on.
I use ME track almost exclusively in conjunction with Shinohara code 70 turnouts (with some Walthers/Shino code 83 turnouts and ME track on the standard gauge). When the great ME HOn3 code 70 drought came along, I did use some code 55 ME with transition joiners to fit the Shinoharas. I did finally buy a few ME code 70 HOn3 turnouts to try. They look great, but are rather more delicate than Shinoharas.
Yes, it's a pain to open them up a little, but in return you get a tight joint that disappears.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
I have the right to remain silent. By posting here I have given up that right and accept that anything I say can and will be used as evidence to critique me.
About the only time I use Micro Engineering joiners is when I work with code 55. The code 55 joiners seem to work well without being overly tight. With the code 70 and 83 types, I've used a jeweler's screwdriver to pry the ends open somewhat, and/or I may chamfer the ends of the rail. ME joiners work mostly on their own rail, but can work satisfactorily on Shinohara code 70. They don't fit well on Shinohara/Walthers code 83, and are nearly useless on Atlas 83.
I mostly use Atlas N scale code 80 joiners on codes 70 and 83. They disappear almost as readily as ME once the track is weathered, and I solder nearly all joints so I don't have to worry about them coming loose.
I can not believe how tight these things are! I have a sharpened piece of rail I used to open up Atlas code 80 N-scale joiners, but I can't get it into the ME joiners. Problem is that the ME joiners look great when you finally get them on the rail. They almost disappear.
Does anybody have a trick for opening them up easily? I really wish they would offer a "to be soldered" version of these that weren't so tight.