Edit post

Edit your reply below.

Post Body
Enter your post below.
Here in the UK, ballast can be of different colours depending on where it came from and what material it is. Main line ballast is usually limestone (cream-off white when new), or granite, which can be pink, white, grey or green. After a time, a rust line is deposited alongside each rail which comes from brake shoes and steel worn from rails and wheels due to normal wear and tear. As regards terminology for points, switches etc. there are different names used in modelling and full size practice for the same thing. Modellers use the word points - in full size, the only time this word is usually used is in a signal box (switch tower) to identify what the levers control. The term used in full size is usually turnout or lead. Switches are the parts of the turnout which move to change the route, the toe being the pointed end which moves, the heel being the end fastened to the closure rail. Now we come to the big one - "frogs". These only exist in the minds of modellers, ponds and wet grass. The term used to describe this part of a turnout is the "crossing", the pointed part of which is referred to as the crossing "nose". Finally, guard rails are called check - rails. I live in both worlds, being a modeller - previously of British, but now American railways - and also working on a preserved railway for over 30 years. I like to use the terms used in full size practice and since we try to represent in minature the real world as accurately as possible, why do we not use the same terms as well? Now for the really hot one. Is there such a thing as scale time? Think about it, it takes the same time to travel one mile at 60 miles per hour as it does to travel one scale mile at a scale speed of 60 miles an hour.
Tags (Optional)
Tags are keywords that get attached to your post. They are used to categorize your submission and make it easier to search for. To add tags to your post type a tag into the box below and click the "Add Tag" button.
Add Tag

Update Reply

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Model Railroader Newsletter See all

Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!

Subscriber & Member Login

Edit post

Post Body

Tags (Optional)

Subscriber & Member Login

Users Online

Search the Community