Disgusing Code 55 as Code 70?

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

Hi all,

Due to an ordering mixup, I’ve got an extra set of points in code 55. I’m now planning to use these points to add in an extra team track, but they’ll be in the middle of a code 70 mainline.

What I’m wondering is how I’ll be able to ‘disguise’ and blend in these points so that the difference in rail height isn’t apparent. I’d be interested in hearing about any previous experiences/suggestions along these lines.

EDIT: I mean the whole turnout, not just the point rails. Apologies for the terminology mixup.

Cheers,

tbdanny

2

Is the use of points the North American sense, or European? (switchpoints or entire turnout?)

If you’re talking about the points themselves, you could probably find some .015 brass sheet to make some shims to match the closure and stock rails.

Otherwise, you’re talking about the entire turnout. Put rail joiners on the code 70 pieces, then flatten the exposed part. Solder the rails of the turnout on top; this is standard practice for joining mismatched rail sizes. File as appropriate to get smooth joints. Then weather the crap out of everything, and I doubt anyone will notice unless they go looking for the oddball turnout.

3

VunderBob,

I apologise, I did mean the whole turnout. I figured the weathering would do the job - I just wanted to know if anyone had encountered this specific situation?

Cheers,

tbdanny

4

You could put a road crossing right across the unmoving part of the turnout, leaving the points clear. A couple of boards to keep the flangeways clear and a gravel surface (smaller stones than ballast) should do it.

Basing my suggestion on normal practices in Colorado narrow gauge country a lot more recently than 1928. The idea actually came from rails buried in asphalt in a local industrial area. The turnout (normally ballasted installation) and the first few lengths of rail approaching the loading doors of the building are 132# rail. Then the railheads suddenly get a lot narrower. Since everything else is buried in the pavement, what size ARE those rails?

Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - with gravel grade crossings)

5

You could add some extra code 55 track on either side of the turnout so any blending between the different types of track could be carried out over a greater distance. Doing so may also help with reliability by placing the joints between different size rails away from the turnout itself.