Aristo track

Garden Railroading
1

Hi guys,

I know this will be very old ground for most of you but I would appreciate the input. On my last set up I had LGB track and on every track joint I used the LGB copper paste for conductivity, I never had a problem with bad connections etc.
This time round it’s Aristo track with the American sleepers & I’m wondering about their screw fixings. Anything that’s clamped should have no conductivity problems, but do those little grub screws stay as tight as they’re put or do they start unscrewing the minute your back’s turned. What have other Aristo users done? Clamps? Jumper wires? The set up will run either side of the garden with one side in shade most of the time but the other side will get baked in summer and frozen/soaked in winter. The track will float in the ballast so expansion/contraction will be ok, it’s just those darned joints. Give me those experiences guys.
Cheers,
Kim
[tup]

Just got to add a message for Ian over in Oz. Just read your note about problems with your PC so it may have dropped my e-mail. Irish Sea, sea area Morecombe Bay, 9 degrees. Hope that’s ok mate.

2

Kim,
Marty Kozad would be the guy to ask on this. He has enough Aristo for a scale country, and it’s used all year in all kinds of weather. Have Aristo here but only indoors on the kids line. Never bothered with the little screws and it stays pretty much put. If the screws coming out are a concern there is always Loctite. Although it would have to be the removable type or else drill out those screws! Later eh…Brian.

3

http://www.railclamp.com/splitjaw.shtml

http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14007

I’m pretty much sold on the Split-Jaw method…they do make these in stainless for the folks that have stainless track.

JD

4

Kim

I see that you might have a problem there but there is a ok way to go. Expansion and contraction of the screw can be limited by “Lock Tight”, NOW watch which Lock Tight you get!!!

  1. Locks the screw in forever
  2. Locks the screw but takes a good wrist turn to remove
    Hardware store should have them and remember to ASK (and read) which one is ok for you screws.
    My father told me it never hurts to ask, just getting a answer is hard as heck sometimes. [:D]

About the Split Jaw, I am 100% behind there product and will buy it. Why, you ask? Because I have already installed it on the old mans shops train tracks where I landscape for him. Don’t think he noticed yet [:D]

5

Brian,

Marty’s layout is battery powered so he doesn’t worry about the track connection nonsense.

Cheers

HJ

6

I’ve been away for awhile.
Dam joints is right, thats why I went to battery, not cleaning of wheels, rail, wiring, etc. As far as Aristo track, mine has held up for over 13 years. I don’t use the screws cause alot of mine is hand bent and I’m to lazy to drill/tap the holes.

7

I TRY AND USE ONE KIND OF TRACK AND IT IS ARISTO BRASS TRACK . SO FAR I DID NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT . I AM GETTING READY TO ORDER MORE OF IT. BEN PA. [:)]

8

HJ,
Forgot about that! Still, there is the issue of it staying together. Continuity is the issue of why I am considering battery power. It sure is not nearly as bad as the early HO days of brass track. That stuff irritated the daylights out of me. For now though I’m good as is. Any rain yet??? I’ll send you some of the 12 inches of snow we just got. A little soggy but I’m willing to ship it! Later eh…Brian.
[8D]

9

Just use the same LGB paste when assembling the track. Between the set screws and the paste shouldnt be any problems after that.

10

Thanks guys,
Looks like copper paste and the right type of lock tight - i’m sure we can get that over here.
Cheers,
Kim
[tup]

11

12

Hi

13

There are two types of Lok-tite to look out for, Red and Blue Lok-tite.

Red is PERMANENT! It cannot be later unscrewed for mainanence or moving.

Blue is a workable type that holds really good but can later be removed.

Look for Blue Lok-tite if thats the way your thinking of going.

14

I am a great supporter of Aristo track, it has more zinc and less copper than LGB and it oxidises much less than LGB, which has more copper. As far as their joiners are concerned I have no trouble with them, although I only have about 10. I use LGB joiners and I solder everything and I have no and I mean no trouble with conductivity at all.

If you read page 68 of Kalmbachs “Garden Railroading getting started in theHobby” you will know all about it; as this is what i do, using Hillman clamps on the switches as well.

I reckon that paste is a waste of money, solder everything and who cares about there stupid paste.

Kim I’m worried abou the temperature of the Irish Sea at 9 Deg, how can you go swimming in it and it must play hell with your air temperature, considering Blackpool is a seaside resort. The air temperature here is 15 to 25 deg, Coral sea temperature is 21 deg and we are 2 weeks out form winter. Listen Mate have a look at www.sunshine coast.com.org/ I think!

Regards

Ian

15

Thanks for all the tips guys.
Ian,
9 degrees now but it does get warmer! I don’t really know how all these things work but we have the gulf stream on the other side of Ireland and our prevailing wind in summer is SW bringing warm air from the azores high. We are on the same latitude as a lot of freezing places - Brian’s probably driving in snow as we speak! It’s not to bad for swiming because the beach shelves very gently so the water gets warmed up pretty quick by the sun. Couldn’t get that link to work but i’ll check out some Oz web sites.
Cheers,
Kim
[tup]