Insulated N scale rail joiners

[mikesmowers]

I am in need of some N scale insulated rail joiners to make a reverse loop. The only ones I can find are for the code 55 rail and I am using code 80. Are these interchangable? The ones I have found are in a package of 8 for $11.12 per package, this seems kinda high. Are they that much different from those used on HO track?

Are there any alternitives to using the expensive plactic ones? Once when building my HO railroad, I needed to insulate some rails after they were in place and balasted, I simply used a thin cutoff wheel in my Dremmel and cut a slot in the rails. Is this a good ides in N scale?

Your opinions are greatly appriciated. Thanks. Mike

[davidmbedard]

I am in need of some N scale insulated rail joiners to make a reverse loop. The only ones I can find are for the code 55 rail and I am using code 80. Are these interchangable? The ones I have found are in a package of 8 for $11.12 per package, this seems kinda high. Are they that much different from those used on HO track?

Are there any alternitives to using the expensive plactic ones? Once when building my HO railroad, I needed to insulate some rails after they were in place and balasted, I simply used a thin cutoff wheel in my Dremmel and cut a slot in the rails. Is this a good ides in N scale?

Your opinions are greatly appriciated. Thanks. Mike

Well, have you tried ME CD55 insulated joiners?

David B

[MAbruce]

Wow, that does seem awfully pricey. I found this that is much less expensive:

http://www.4nscale.com/details.asp?p=5265

http://www.4nscale.com/details.asp?p=135

[mikesmowers]

Thanks. Is there any difference in code 55 and code 80 rail joiners? Mike

[MAbruce]

Thanks. Is there any difference in code 55 and code 80 rail joiners? Mike

Not sure. I model in code 80 and have not used the code 55 line yet. To be safe, I’d stay with the code 80 joiners for code 80 track.

[davidmbedard]

Yes, there is a very big difference between CD 80 and 55 joiners.

David B

[mavrick0]

Are there any alternitives to using the expensive plactic ones? Once when building my HO railroad, I needed to insulate some rails after they were in place and balasted, I simply used a thin cutoff wheel in my Dremmel and cut a slot in the rails. Is this a good ides in N scale?

This is how I start my insulated gaps. I can’t stand the look of the plastic insulators not to mention they can move and change guage. I use a couple of drops of CA on either side of the rail on the ties where I’m going to cut. Use the thinnest dremel disk I have, slot the rail. I then use a piece of styrene between the two rails to avoid any chance of the rails ever coming back in contact with each other and use a good plastic bonding glue(I use Tamiya), glue the styrene to the ties. Once dry, I normally give it 24 hours to set I use a little thin CA to hold the styrene to the rail and then contour to the rail. Sounds a little over the top but nothing moves, once painted can never be seen(I place a sign or something to indicate where the gap is so I don’t forget where they are) and just adds to a cleaner look over the plastic ones.