Ash pit

[Anonymous]

First message to what looks like a swell group.

Interested in making ash pit for Marklin layout which has "M" track so results may not be completely authentic.

Bob at GF

[tstage]

Bob,

First of all, welcome to the forum. Good to have you on board! [:)]

Secondly, from your profile name, I guess we won't ever be confused when you first became a member on the forum. Good idea.

Lastly, for my benefit, what exactly is "M" track? Is it like the Bachmann EZ track or Kato Unitrack - where the track and ballast come together as a unit?

Bob, I guess you could make an ash pit from scratch. However, Walthers makes a nicely detailed ash pit and conveyor that is pretty reasonably priced. The Walthers ash pit requires just rails (no ties) placed over the "pit". If the "M" track are like the EZ or Unitrack - since there are electrical "contacts" that must contact one another when the two pieces of track are clicked together - there would be some rewiring required in order to fit the ash pit in between the two track pieces.

Hope that helps...

Tom

[jrbarney]

Bob,
Here's a link to a keyword search I just did at the Index of Magazines (top of this page):
http://index.mrmag.com/tm.exe?opt=S&cmdtext=ashpit&MAG=ANY
For back issues or photocopies, contact the publishers of each periodical, or order photocopies from the NMRA's Kalmbach Memorial Library:
http://www.nmra.org/library/
The rate is reasonable, even if you're not an NMRA member.
Bob
NMRA Life 0543
P. S. Basically, you'll need rails with no ties supported on columns over a stone or concrete pit. You'll need some means of conveying the ashes into a waiting gondola on an adjacent track, or a depressed track parallel to the column mounted rail so that the ashes can be tossed into a waiting gondola with shovels. There are undoubtedly lots of variations on this theme.

[Jetrock]

The problem here is that, if I am correct in my assumption, Marklin M-track is three-rail! Which means that there has to be a third track running in the middle of the ash pit!

The simplest solution would be simply to paint the ties black in that section and put a concrete pad (styrene or cardstock) around the perimeter of the pit.

[Anonymous]

Wow what instant service. Thanks to all.

Yes, Marklin "M" track is third rail and the ballast and ties are one piece The center rail is the conductor and must be in place. The suggestion of painting the ties black would give a partially good appearance. I will follow up also on the other suggestions.

Bob at Glens Falls, NY