Hello all,
I think I know the answer to this question, but I'll ask anyway - it wouldn't be the first time I've overlooked something.
When gapping rails for DCC blocks, do the gaps have to be directly opposite each other? What would be the impact if they are offset by as much as 1"?
My first answer is that it doesn't matter as any locomotive that picks up from all wheels is going to connect the two blocks together during transfer from one block to the next; all I've done by offsetting the rail gaps is prolonged that interconnection.
Am I missing something here, or is it okay to have a small offset in the rail gaps?
Thanks in advance.Dwayne A
Dwaune,
I suspect you are gapping for 'power districts'? Or maybe an 'Auto Reverser'? Some Auto Reverse units want a small 'offset' in the gaps to function correctly. Is there a reason you want to 'offset' the rail gaps?
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
I have LOTS of rail gaps, and I doubt that any pair on the same track are exactly opposite one another. The biggest reason is that I prefer to stagger all of my joints, on both tangent and curved track.
The joker is, I model a prototype that "squared up" rail joints, with extra support in the form of closely-spaced ties under the joint bars. I model the close tie spacing at appropriate intervals, but don't put my joints there. Go figure...
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
On the prototype, the weakest spot on jointed rail is the joint. Having joints in line would put too much stress at that point of the track, especially if the bolts become loose. When I go trainwatching I see insulated joints for signals and crossings that are not in line with each other and are seperated by as much as three feet.
Thanks for the answers, guys.
The gaps I'm talking about are between power districts (one booster to another). There is no auto-reversing required on my layout.
My reason for not lining gaps up is to not worry about exactly were the gaps are. On curved track I want to put my effort into making rail and insulting material that cannot be easily seen and is smooth and reliable. When assembling flex track rail joints are infrequently opposite - more frequently offset by some small distance. I haven't worried about joint location up till now, I want to continue to not worry.
So I think I'm hearing that there is no technical reason for placing rail gaps directly opposite each other.
Dwayne A