So I am looking to install bridge track for my double-tracked steel truss bridge from Walthers. I am currently looking at the 948-10004 HO Code 100 Nickel Silver Bridge Track Set, but I am not sure if this is suitable since this track is 36" long and my bridge is only 15" long. Is it safe to Splice the bridge TRACK in half so I can use both half’s for my double track bridge? Or is there a more suitable option that I can take that reduces the risk of damage scenic items and track? Are there any bridge tracks or any similar products I can use from other companies that are more convenient for my bridge? Central Valley or Atlas?
I have purchased a Walthers double track bridge and the bridge track but have not built it yet. I’m not sure you would want to cut the -bridge- in half? Not sure why would would want to do that. Maybe you meant to cut the -bridge track- in half?
The bridge track has guard rails built in. And so you will need the bridge track ends which have the guard rails bent inward as entry into the guarded section, like turnouts do. Although, you could build the entry sections from scratch. Anyways, I purchased the ends. And so, you will need to cut the bridge track to fit the bridge and you should have enough for the both tracks. At least, that is what I plan to do.
I read that the same way. I think he meant, cut the bridge track, not the bridge.
I have several single and double track bridges on my layout including a long scratchbuilt double track vertical lift bridge. I have cut and spliced bridge tracks more than once. Here are some photos of Walthers Shinohara bridge track end pieces as well as a remnant of unused bridge track.
Rich
1 Like
Hehe. Indeed i meant to say splice the bridge track in half, not the bridge stfucture itself. I just now fixed the grammar.
So its not to difficult then to splice the track in half. What tool is recommended for a clean cut? Would a drenel disc saw work out?
Not difficult at all. I use a Xuron 2175 Rail Cutter. You can find it for about $15. Nice, clean cuts. Practice first on a piece of flex track.
Rich
The thing about Xuron cutters is that they only cut ‘clean’ on one side; the other side gets a bevel that has to be tediously filed down if you want to use it.
Meanwhile, a typical Dremel cutting disc is very brittle and is difficult to get exactly at right angles to rail mounted in track. Something like a Foredom handpiece, which is smaller diameter at the ‘business end’, might be more useful. I went to using a fairly large-diameter diamond jewelry saw disc in place of the bonded throwaway type…
The better solution might be a thin-kerf razor saw, which is also useful when cutting electrical gaps that will be filled with putty or epoxy. I use a small triangular file to mark and ‘start’ the gap.
For track that has not yet been installed on your layout, use the Xuron® 2175B Track Cutter.
The jaw blades are designed to cut through the rail from top-to-bottom. The cut ends of the rail are practically burr-free, so clean-up is not required. One end will be flush, straight and smooth; the other will be rough.
Turn the tool around and cut again to clean up the rough end. This tool will cut solid nickel-silver or brass rail up to code 100.
It’s better to first remove the ties in the cut location; you can trim them and install them under the rail joints after installation of the track on your roadbed.
Source: xuron.com
Everybody has a favorite way to cut track, bridge or otherwise. Taking nothing from the other suggestions I can explain how I did this job, not how to do the job.
This is what worked for me as I have just finished using Walthers 948-83004 code 83 bridge track sets on several bridges. What I made the cuts with was an X-Acto razor saw and miter box that was clamped in a hobby vise. These cuts were very square and clean. The kit comes with extra bridge tie sections. Since I needed more than the kit I purchased extra end pieces with the guard rail from Walthers. I sacrificed a section of bridge track to gain extra filler bridge ties beyond what the kits contained.I did solder the rail joiners to make a one piece bridge track as if it was a larger bit of set track. Easier to work with that way.
1 Like