C&L Finescale Timber Tracks

[Dan Randall]

[quote=""Dan Randall"":3cx1ljbf](Funnily enough, I need to build a crossover for my S7 test track, so I'd better order some track gauges from the S7 stores soon). There are jigs on the market that make the filing and assembly very easy and given that a ready made vee is about ?12, you'll save a lot of money that would be better spent on a loco kit. :lol:

Hi Dan,

Be cautious as to the type of track gauge that you buy/use. On the West Mersea layout the roller type gauges have (for obvious manufacturing reasons) perpendicular slots for the rails. In reality and when using the proper chairs a 1 in 20 inwards inclination is required (you know this but not everybody might). The roller type gauges tend to force the rail upright, which springs back when the gauge is removed and immediately results in under-gauge trackwork. The problem is not so obvious or serious in the smaller scales.

I understood that the S7G 'boffins' were considering the re-design of track gauges with a view to improvements, but I haven't heard of any progress. If by any chance you are at the Brightwell-cum-Sotwell event on the 17th April, you could make enquiries. You could also raise the subject with Peter Hunt of Perfect Miniatures, if you had the time to spare...[/quote:3cx1ljbf]


Hi Pint.

Yes, I was aware of the inward inclination of the rails, so given that the chairs take care of that nicely for us, why can't the slots in the gauges be machined wide enough to accommodate the tilted rail, without trying to make it stand upright? Surely the slots would just need to be wide enough that the top inside and bottom outside of the rail were in contact with the vertical sides of the slot, or am I missing something obvious?

Having just given it some thought, maybe it's a throwback to the bad old days when people soldered rails to copper-clad sleepers.... :scratch:

I am intending to visit the S7 bash on the 17th, so if I see someone building some track, I'll talk things over with them.

See you there?


Regards

Dan

 

[Pint of Adnams]

Hi Pint.

Yes, I was aware of the inward inclination of the rails, so given that the chairs take care of that nicely for us, why can't the slots in the gauges be machined wide enough to accommodate the tilted rail, without trying to make it stand upright? Surely the slots would just need to be wide enough that the top inside and bottom outside of the rail were in contact with the vertical sides of the slot, or am I missing something obvious?

Not missing anything at all - except suitable gauges. For plain track John Birch has machined rebates at the correct spacing on rectangles of Paxolin and Brass. Peter Hunt has acquired some steel strip to machine his own on the Alexander milling machine. My view is that the outside 'ring' on a roller gauge should be coned at 1:20 but the inner face kept vertical, to ensure exact spacing whatever the rail head profile. That for the check/wing rail (assuming that the prototype was inclined rather than vertical, as some where/are) should be similarly coned.

Having just given it some thought, maybe it's a throwback to the bad old days when people soldered rails to copper-clad sleepers.... :scratch:

Certainly is.

I am intending to visit the S7 bash on the 17th, so if I see someone building some track, I'll talk things over with them.

See you there?

Colin Dowling is your man, but don't talk to him within earshot of Peter Hunt otherwise you'll have an exposition on all the problems to do with trackwork and the absolute 'fidelity to prototype' bits he's planning to produce (like the one-piece steel stretcher bars in cast brass )

It's too far for me to drag across, but I'm currently planning to go to the AGM in June at Warley. See you there?

PoA

 

[lancer1027]

[quote=""lancer1027"":3rhkyb4m]I too have thought about building my own track. I do like the idea and the chairs look exellent. However i was talking to my mate about it and he said that he had thought about it but opted not to. His reason behind it was the cost of making the points (about double of a peco ). So i'm not so sure what to do.My project of Penzance has quite a few points, so would be very expensive for me. I will be watching this thread with interest.

Hi

This simply isn't true.

Or rather, if you are making one turnout, and using the 'turnout in a bag' cost from C&L it may be, but if you are doing, say, a dozen or more turnouts, and buying the components in separate packets, then the cost per point is pretty much on a par with PECO. One caveat, make your own Vees, rather than buying C&L's Vee and wing rail units. That would then push it over the cost of a PECO pont, but not by much.

If you are not aware of it, I did turnout construction in some detail here http://www.rmweb.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=88&t=45544
Ignore the fact it says 3-throw point, that was a later follow-up.

It's far more satisfying, better looking, and better running to build your own.

Richard[/quote:3rhkyb4m]
Hi Richard, now thats got me thinking . I did wonder when my mate said about the cost. As i'm not ready to build any track yet i had'nt even really looked into the cost and whats really involved. I see what you are saying though . I am going to be watching this thread carefully and hope to get lots more info and help.

 

[lancer1027]

Ok Guy's, i've finally made a decision on track type as i got myself a C+L point kit at the Shepshed show. But being a complete novice at any track building here's a couple of questions to see if anyone can help.
1st- I need to build about 4 single slips are they complex to build and wire.
2nd- Can you use C+L nickel silver track outside. The reason for this question is all the people i know have used Peco outside.
Cheers Rob :wave:

 

[marsa69]

Hi Guys,

Rob. You asked if the C+L turnout kits were difficult to make especially the single slips? Well my first venture into track building was a C+L 3-way tandem turnout :shock: . I can honestly say that apart from one or two minor glitches (mostly on my part for not comprehending things earlier (special I am )) then I found it a real joy to construct. You may have seen my workbench thread about it on RMweb, which for some reason has disappeared into a blog (along with my layout thread). I also wrote it up as a magazine article for the MIGO+1 newsletter as well, which I can only assume helped a lot of members out with their insomnia :lol: . I found that if you take your time and form a proper course of action on how you intend to build it then you shouldn't have a problem. If you do then I'm sure the likes of uber-track builders dikitriki will be glad to assist (sorry for volunteering you diki :twisted: )

best regards,

Mark

P.S. Wasn't nickel silver designed for better outdoor use than the old steel stuff anyway?

 

[28ten]

Mark
if you have some limks to the threads I can probably retrieve them and archive them here like I did with Dans thread

 

[marsa69]

I'll speak to Simon Eccles and see if I can lift the entire article from the MIGO+1 website