Hey,
Im building a reproduction of one of Toronto Ontario’s streetcar routes and Im not sure how to go about doing the tracks. What can i do to get them sunk in the road?
btw im fairly new at building
The special-section rail used on streetcar tracks is almost impossible to find (There’s a groove in the rail head for the flanges to run in, which allows whatever the road is made from - concrete, asphalt, or blocks - to come right up to the rails making a smooth surface). I hear someone makes it but it’s kinda tricky to get. Your best bet would be to use standard track, and cut card to make the road surface - outside the rails is easy enough, between them takes a little more effort as you have to leave space for the wheel flanges. I’d suggest using brass angle glued to the ties to make the flangeways, then filling the space with card (or plaster, though this is very messy!). This should stop the card looking ragged at the edges. Remember that it’s best to make the card slightly lower than the rail tops so as to ensure decent electrical contact.
This web site has a lot of information[:)]
One thing I have heard of is to take a second rail, turn it sideways and butt the railhead into the web of the first rail. Then you put in the street.
Enjoy
Paul
Steetcar rail is called girder rail. It can be duplicated as someone said by laying a rail along side it on the inside. Your big problem is going to be laying steet material. Most trolley tracks when built were done with cobblestone or brick streets that were later paved. In most cases they left the center brick or cobblestones. A pure assumption on my part is that this was done in case any track repairs were needed so they could dismantle the area between the rails. One other thing about trolleys. Most people run them from the overhead wire and connect the two rails for a solid ground. It is possible to run four trolleys independently at the same time. There used to be an excellent trolley publication called Trolley Talk. Also go to the East Penn Traction club web page for their modular directions. they often assemble huge layouts at shows in the Philadelphia area.
Jordo:
Which route?
TTC has lately been relaying track with regular rail and a flangeway cut in the concrete.
You might be able to imitate girder rail with a piece of angled plastic glued to the ties with just enough clearance. Then fill in between with your road material. Modelling switches and specialwork is more of a challenge.
All one really needs to simulate girder rail is a piece of styrene between the rails held up with stripwood–paint a little strip of dark rust along each edge of the styrene to represent the inner girder portion, it looks just fine. Richard Orr girder rail can be purchased from www.customtraxx.com, both the rail itself, single-point trolley switches, and other components–including the special tool you’ll need to curve the rail. The Trolleyville link includes lots of helpful advice on how to lay street track. Normally, rather than sinking the track into the road you build the road up to the top of the track! Common materials are plaster, water putty, styrene, and cardboard.