No, no – not spikes to spike HO track. Those I know about. I mean does anybody make a 1:87 model to scale of a track spike, so that if I wanted a pile of track spikes, or isolated spikes trackside, they would be the correct size and look accurate if photographed close up?
So far I have found nothing. Look at the size of an HO scale figure’s hand and you realize how tiny an HO scale track spike would be!
Dave Nelson
I’m glad I took the time to carefully read the text in your post, otherwise I would have posted a link to “track spikes”. [:)]
What you are wanting…I have never seen. You might have to “scratchbuild” those. [%-)]
Spikes to scale wouldn’t be feesible so you will probably have to make your own. I would take a piece of .025 brass, hammer a head on the end, bend it around, and cut it off to length…chuck
Dave,
Micro Engineering makes some very small spikes - Blackened Metal Spikes – Micro 3/16" Long pkg(1000). Depending on the era modeled, you would not really see ‘piles’ of spikes unless track was being removed and they were using a magnetic pickup on a Burro crane to retrieve them. Spikes usually were set out by the ‘keg’ or canvas bag at intervals along the track when work is going to be done.
Jim
You would have to predrill the hole for any spike that was scale and then it probably would not hold the track in place. You could make your own with .020 brass wireand forming the head slightly, but this would be a lifetime project and your railroad would not get built.
Normal HO model railroads do not use scale size wheels width or flanges in most cases since that would require almost perfect track work. Some HO scale wheel sets are offered and they are great looking for pictures, but usually will not run well on the average layout.
Some great looking flex track is available that has the plate and spikes cast in them with uneven tie ends and look very good overall.
I would use the small Micro Engineering spikes as mentioned. They are the smallest I’ve found. Clip them to the scale size. If this still isn’t what you need then the modified brass wire will have to be used. While making the spikes do some tie plates and rail fish plates. Some of the Central Valley track details may be what you’re looking for. http://www.cvmw.com/1600/1603.htm
That makes sense suppose. I have sen old drums full of spikes that were dropped with ties, rail, etc. for MOW purposes.
Go to Proto87 Stores (http://www.proto87.com/ho-track.html). The scale size stainless steel track spikes are quite usable for both spiking rail and as scenery items. Personally, I prefer the longer spikes for laying track because I want some penetration into the Homasote. But for scenery, the short ones would look very good.
my thoughts, your choices
Fred W
I like the idea of little piles of spikes and a few singles layin around for flavor, but I wonder if true scale spikes would “read” well. Also you wanna be sure those little guys were glued down well to keep em from finding their way into your motors. I’d prolly wind up just usin the smallest one I could find.
woodland scenics makes a trackside details set (D 202) which includes an old style spike keg which has burst its bottom and spilled some spikes out, also in the set are an arch bar truck frame, a tie pile, and a broken handcar
in scale a track spike would would be about 1/16" long and about 1/150 of an inch in diameter
I’ve seen those 5 gallon metal spike buckets knocked over with the spikes spilling out of them.