I want to install some traffic posts at the corner of an industrial building- the kind of thing that would help truck and other drivers avoid clipping the corner of the building as they rounded the corner. The layout is HO in the early to mid 1950's. I think it would be a nice detail. I had a friend recommend just cutting some sections of rail and planting them but I don't know if this is at all realistic. When I look these up on the internet, all I can find are the modern ones. This are steel or orange plastic and 39" high and 5.5" in diameter. I remember seeing them as a kid and my recollection is that they were iron tubes filled with concrete. Is a section of rail this height really ok or should I look to make something from round styrene? Thanks for the help.
Ted
I've seen concrete reinforced steel pipe, plain old I-beams. and wood posts. I think the steel post is the most common and is what I would use in similar situations.
I have seen old rail used, most often, but not always on RR property
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.
I had forgotten about the I beam but remembered it once it was mentioned. This is a coal company that has rail running into it to make deliveries. I'm leaning toward going with the I beam. Thanks.
Another thing I have seen on old brick structures is fairly heavy "L" shaped steel protecting the corners that are vulnerable, up to about 6 or 7 feet -- and often that steel is scratched and dented showing it was needed.
Dave Nelson
tedskiI remember seeing them as a kid and my recollection is that they were iron tubes filled with concrete. Ted
I remember seeing them as a kid and my recollection is that they were iron tubes filled with concrete.
..... Bob
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Thanks for the additional advice. What I think I'll do is make the post and i-beam versions (I only need 2) and see which one looks best.
These are called bollards and are still in use today at various locations where something needs to be protected from vehiclular traffic (examples would be a corner of a building, fire hydrant, or power transformer). Presently bollards are typcially constructed of a 6" diameter pipe filled with concrete. I would think though in a railroad related setting old rails would be used in place of the pipe/concrete style. I have actually seen some used to protect a fire hydrant in a parking lot that are made of old rail. The mainline is adjacent to the parking lot so I suppose the contractor saved a few bucks and used a scrap piece of rail.
Scott Stephenson
Modeling the CB&Q Dragonfly Subdivision
I work for a steel fabricator and the proper term is BOLLARD. Many things were used in the past but we commonly sell 5 or 6" round pipe that projects out of the concrete about 4'. They are filled with concrete and then painted which gives them the rounded look at the top.
I would go to Plastruct and get some of their I-beams and cut them to the desired lengths and plant them in the layout or as you mentioned round stock to simulate iron or concrete filled pipes.I've seen the rail thing done before and it is neat but generally only a railroad related industry like some sort of shop would most likely have something like that not a general warehouse or business.