7mm Along the lines of an U.S. O Scale loft layout... (previously 'making U.S. track & switches')

[iploffy]

He did say' pressure' . The yanks have some pretty weird ideas, the check rail seems to work on the outside of the wheel rather than the inside of the wheel flange, or have I got it wrong?.

 

[Dog Star]

... the check rail seems to work on the outside of the wheel rather than the inside of the wheel flange, or have I got it wrong?

I believe that the self-guarding crossings have raised "checks" which act upon the outer face of a wheel rim and thereby guide the wheel towards the crossing nose.

 

[Dog Star]

... I've been working on making one of these for Code 100...

A "Self Guarding Frog"...

Whilst waiting for the tea to draw this morning I browsed the proto48 web page of track components - I had just got used to the idea of a guarded frog when my brain started complaining about the range of crossing types... and with me not understanding the differences. So, Jordan, please offer some explanation for these bits and pieces:-

* rigid frog;
* bounded rigid frog;
* manganese insert frog, (I get the Mn bit, where / what is the insert?).

I was not able to find a self-guarded, manganese, frog in the list so I shall be interested to see how you make a model of the crossing in the pikkie above.

regards, Graham

 

[mickoo]

I can see the appeal to a cast frog, certainly easier to maintain and probably to install/manufacture as well, though I've seen the flex they have by having a rail join that close to something that takes a pretty hefty hammering with the weights the US run per axle, a GEVO runs approximately 32t per axle.

The US tends to take a much more relaxed approach to track work standards, especially with wooden ties and spikes, most flex several inches and very few retain all their spikes knocked home, however, there are major rebuild programs on the go for critical arteries and those are being relaid with concrete sleepers and pandrols.

 

[mickoo]

I wrote 'thick brown paper' but probably should have put "thin brown card" instead, probably a bit stronger than is visualised.

Progress is going to be slow on this. First up I've been working on making one of these for Code 100...

I think brown card will work really well, if you choose a stock that has a close grain then the texture will give a nice finish and work well toward a worn rusted look.

I might invest in one of those thin card / paper cutters you can get

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/proops-MULTI...craft_Tools_Accessories_2&hash=item19e634864b

Sure I've seen better more accurate ones somewhere though?

 

[Jordan or Plymouth Mad]

Jordan, please offer some explanation for these bits and pieces:-

* rigid frog;
* bounded rigid frog;
* manganese insert frog, (I get the Mn bit, where / what is the insert?).

Blimey suddenly I'm the Expert on US track & switch terminology!!!
Give me a while...

I suspect "rigid frog" is a frog much as we think of it; as opposed to a moving frog as used on high-speed lines, perhaps?
Moving Frog -

Rail bound I think is like this...

The wing rails go a funny shape and there's an inserted casting (one and the same as the 'manganese insert?) forms the vee.

 

[Jordan or Plymouth Mad]

I believe that the self-guarding crossings have raised "checks" which act upon the outer face of a wheel rim and thereby guide the wheel towards the crossing nose.

Correct. As far as I can tell, these are more common in "low speed" applications; i.e. yard tracks & industrial spurs rather than mainlines.

 

[Dog Star]

I've received a parcel today from the US of some highly-detailed cast parts for hand-laid switches. I may have to relinquish my Reserved Seat at the Back soon, & join you track maniacs enthusiasts up at the Front for a while....

Blimey suddenly I'm the Expert on US track & switch terminology.

Yup, yessir, goes with the territory - I have recollections of "expertations" in one or two of your posts "from the comfy chair".

regards, Graham

 

[Jordan or Plymouth Mad]

Yup, yessir, goes with the territory - I have recollections of "expertations" in one or two of your posts "from the comfy chair".

regards, Graham

The corollary to that, of course, is that we the Dark Siders have very subtly been able to lure un-suspecting pure, true-blue British Chaps into the labrynthine clutches of Area 51.... *evil laugh*

 

[Jordan or Plymouth Mad]

I think brown card will work really well, if you choose a stock that has a close grain then the texture will give a nice finish and work well toward a worn rusted look.

That's the plan. I'm also hoping it'll be easy to poke the 'empty' square holes in them with a spare spike - the Peco IL13 spikes are square shank, which is most thoughtful of them.

 

[Jordan or Plymouth Mad]

Okay, try not to laugh...
Here's my attempt at a self-guarding frog. The main rails are Code 100 with the 'vee' done in the usual way, and soldered them to a piece of nickel-silver sheet.




The wing/guards are Code 148 on it's side and the gaps filed with low-melt solder.


If it looks a bit rough (okay, it DOES look rough...) then this will be the usual viewing angle in it's position on the layout...

..and when it's painted up & treated by my camouflage department, it'll pass muster.

For me, at least....

 

[Dog Star]

No matter what you might think about the construction / appearance, you need to have a damn big smile because, I suspect, that this could be the first model representation of a guarded frog to be built in the UK (ok, on WT then).

I shall be pleased to see how you spike this crossing to the ties ('cos the method is not too clear in the prototype pikkie earlier in this topic).

regards, Graham

 

[mickoo]

Looks ok to me

 

[SimonT]

Cracking, but shouldn't it be blue if it from the back of the class?

 

[Jordan or Plymouth Mad]

Cracking, but shouldn't it be blue if it from the back of the class?

No. When it's American it has to be White & Red.

 

[SimonT]

So, back of the class American is red and white and back of the class British is blue. What colour is back of the class continental? Can a Observers Book of the Back of the Class be published?

Tee Hee!

 

[Jordan or Plymouth Mad]

"Continental"...??? Hmmm, let's see... where's that, then?

As you'd expect, we at the Back were never very good at Foreign Languages, which does rather handicap interest in Continental railways.... apart from the fact that some of them are in France as well...

As for an Observers book - we don't observe anything at the Back, especially if it's important....

 

[iploffy]

Speak for yourself, I speak many languages, English, Brummie, Black Country and many other dialects that use the word B******s in them. The back of the class is predominantly Blue but that's the way we like it. Lol

 

[Jordan or Plymouth Mad]

Hello Colonel, have you wandered off & got lost again? This is Area 51; foreign stuff you're not interested in - no Blue here, Sir.
C'mon now, have some Tiffin & I'll go fetch Nurse to help you back to quarters....

 

[iploffy]

Er, well you know, oh b******s there you go again foreign tongue. Where's my bat boy. Tiffin walla, Tiffin walla sod it get me a coffee and a sticky bun.