On Fri, 7 Jul 2000 13:40:57 +0100, you wrote:
>Hi,
>
>Try Brandbright at: http://www.steamup.com/brandbright/ for Peco products.
If you look in some of the British Model Railway Magazines you will
find some dealers who are prepared to discount.
>
>They also do other track systems you might consider.
>
>I am given to understand that code 200 rail may not be heavy enough for
>live steam operation and you could have problems with wear. Also the chairs
>and sleepers are plastic and there may be problems with this material
>softening from heat when used with a live steam engine (particularly when
>it is stationary).
Don't be fooled into thinking that code 200 rail is not substantial
enough. I model in 16mm to the foot, which is bigger than LGB, etc.
Ths scale is called SM32, if using coarse scale gauge O wheelsets, or
SM45 if using coarse scale gauge 1 wheelsets.
Code 200 rail is common for live steam in the UK, for these scales.
The only time I've seen damage to plastic sleepers is when somebody
dropped and emptied their ash pan on a coal fired loco and when an old
externally fired meths engine caught fire..
Another supplier of rail is Tenmille, whose flat bottom rail has a
proper flat bottom, unlike Peco, which is a half way house between
bullhead and flat bottom, (Hope that makes sense)
>
>As I do not yet have my own system operating others would need to comment
>on these aspects of rail/track choice.
>
>My personal preference for my Gauge 1 track (at the moment - I may change
>my mind) is for wooden sleepers with spiked flat bottom rail. Which
>Brandbright also do in 32 mm.
Opinion seems to be that you have to be careful with the spike
material, steel seems to work best - the action of the spike rusting
seems to lock the spike in place.
I am currently making my own track using Tenmille bullhead code 200
rail soldered to copper clad fibreglass sleepers. I spent time in the
first place making two jigs, one for straight and the other for
curved. This has paid off and has cut down production time. To date
I've made straights, curves and points. The advantage to this track
system is that it is virtually maintenance free and any repairs can be
done on site using a gas fired soldering iron.
Thanks from Mike Ousby
Visit us at the National Steam Tram Museum in Blackburn, on
http://www.mousby.freeserve.co.uk/
