Changing sides on dual gauge track.

[Tony Bird]

The Cardiff Model Engineering Society's ground level garden railway is being extended. It consists of two loops of track one of which is dual gauge. This dual gauge track is constructed using Peco Streamline Gauge 1 code 200 flexi track (SL-800) which uses the same rail and sleeper height as the Peco SM 32 flexi track (SL-600). The gauge 1 track is laid and some code 200 chairs (SL-802) are threaded on to a code 200 rail, enough chairs are used so that they can be glued to every other sleeper of the gauge 1 track, so an inside 0 gauge track with a common rail is created. This construction means that the 0 gauge track isn't symetrical with the gauge 1 track, it being either to the left or right of it. So to constrct points the two joining tracks have to have the same track orientation however situations can arise when the two tracks aren't the same and this might happen at the CMES where the old and new tracks meet. To meet this event a section of track has been made that allows the common rail of the 0 gauge to be moved from one gauge one track to the other.

A CMES member had a photograph of a section of full size narrow gauge track that achieved this.



It was decided to try and replicate this section of track. The componants. Gauge 1 track, rail, chairs, plastic glue and track gauges.



A test layout.



Some of the gauge 1 chairs cut away for clearance.



1.



Forming the pointed end of the rail so its web remains at its centre.







Fitting the rails.





Bending the end of the check rail.




Finished.



Regards Tony.

[Dr. Bond of the DVLR]

Impressive! How well does it perform?

[Tony Bird]

Hi,

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aZ5xC9bgzRU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Regards Tony.

[LNR]

Smooth as silk. When I first saw the position of the check rails, I thought you were only catering for one direction. Works great both ways,Great work.
Grant.

[daan]

I dind't expect it to work this smooth. Gives a nice detail on your layout..

[ge_rik]

Very neat and an unexpectedly smooth transition.

Rik

[Big Jim]

Having seen it in the flesh I can definitely say it is very impressive.

[Soar Valley Light]

What an inspired idea! I've only seen this done with moveable switches in the past, the method you've described has the infinite benefit of not requiing any point operating equipment. I love it!

Andrew

[markoteal]

A proper piece of engineering! Very impressive.