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Changing sides on dual gauge track.

Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2017 10:52 am
by 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.

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

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A test layout.

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Some of the gauge 1 chairs cut away for clearance.

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1.

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

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Fitting the rails.

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Bending the end of the check rail.

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Finished.

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Regards Tony.

Re: Changing sides on dual gauge track.

Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2017 11:00 am
by Dr. Bond of the DVLR
Impressive! How well does it perform?

Re: Changing sides on dual gauge track.

Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2017 11:37 am
by Tony Bird
Hi,

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

Regards Tony.

Re: Changing sides on dual gauge track.

Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2017 11:48 am
by 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.

Re: Changing sides on dual gauge track.

Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2017 5:13 pm
by daan
I dind't expect it to work this smooth. Gives a nice detail on your layout..

Re: Changing sides on dual gauge track.

Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2017 6:53 pm
by ge_rik
Very neat and an unexpectedly smooth transition.

Rik

Re: Changing sides on dual gauge track.

Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2017 6:59 pm
by Big Jim
Having seen it in the flesh I can definitely say it is very impressive.

Re: Changing sides on dual gauge track.

Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2017 9:51 pm
by 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! :D

Andrew

Re: Changing sides on dual gauge track.

Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2017 12:10 am
by markoteal
A proper piece of engineering! Very impressive.