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N scale girder rail?

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  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sliver City,Mich.
  • 708 posts
N scale girder rail?
Posted by Catt on Friday, September 1, 2017 5:35 PM

Hi guys,

I want to rig up some track for a straight run of street running.To do this the way I want to use girder rail, but first I need to find some.

So I thought I would ask here if any of you might know of a manufacturer of it.

Johnathan(Catt) Edwards 100 % Michigan Made
  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Friday, September 1, 2017 7:30 PM

 Never saw such a thing, and a quick Google search turns up nothing. You may have to make your own - if your running rail is Code 55, using Code 40 rail on its side might work. The problem is flange interference. Since it will be buried in pavement, you probably can get away with using the too large Code 80 rail for the running rail, with Code 40 for the girder, and still maintain clearance for the flanges, at least of modern equipment. There is even smaller rail - Code 30, but it's little more than flattened wire, there is no head or foot shape to it.

                              --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    May 2004
  • 7,500 posts
Posted by 7j43k on Friday, September 1, 2017 8:27 PM

If you're using Code 55 rail, you might consider using 3/64" brass angle to make the girder flange.  You'll have to add a .010" shim underneath.  You might be lucky and get enough flange clearance by just shoving the angle towards the rail base.  But I doubt it.  Again, shims.

It looks easy enough to me, as long as you're not doing switches.  Yikes!

 

 

Ed

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Saturday, September 2, 2017 2:45 AM

Girder rail?   Wait... I remember this stuff and the #8 streetcar easily heard a mile away.

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: California - moved to North Carolina 2018
  • 4,422 posts
Posted by DSchmitt on Saturday, September 2, 2017 9:33 AM

Don't know of any girder rail available for N scale.  Orr http://www.trolleyville.com/catalog-ho.html  has  code 100 girder rail for HO. Probably to large for N scale. 

Randy (rrinker) describes one method of modeling girder rail.

Another method I have seen suggested is to lay a styrene strip to create the flangeway. 

Article on girder rail.  

Trolley track is a bit different from what you may be used to
 
 

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.

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Saturday, September 2, 2017 11:28 AM

 For N scale, the stryene strip method might be even better. The girder side is what, maybe 2" wide? That's .0125" in N scale. Since N scale rail, even COde 55, is slightly oversize, maybe .015 styrene strips or even .020. .030 is more than half the rail width and I don't think would look right, at least under close viewing.

                                  --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

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