13 Ribbons??

[bbrant]

Talked to a track maintenance guy the other day.  He mentioned they were going to be laying 13 ribbons on a line close to my home.  My question is:  how much is 13 ribbons?  How does that equate in miles?  Just curious.

Brian

[Datafever]

13 ribbons would be about $19.37 at my local hobby shop.

[nanaimo73]

I believe a ribbon is 1440'.

[JSGreen]

so would that be both sides for 1440 ft, or each rail of 1440 ft?

Since it was an odd number, I would assume it meant both sides, but inquiring minds want to know for sure.....

[nbrodar]

One ribbon is 1/4 mile of Continous Welded Rail.  Sometimes referred to as CWR or wait for it...Ribbon Rail.

So 13 ribbons would be 3 1/4 miles of single rail.  Or 1 5/8 miles of track if replacing both rails, in equal amounts. 

Nick

[bbrant]

Thanks for the replies.  At least now I'll have an understanding as to just how much trackwork is being done when they talk in ribbons. 

Brian

[rrboomer]

Since there are only 13 "Ribbons" it could be they are going to only relay rail on curves. If this is the case the ribbons might be much shorter than the aprox quarter miles strings. The rail dropped will be just the length needed for each curve.