I am working on a model of a modern locomotive servicing facility with tracks for sanding, refueling, inspection, etc. My question is what code of rail to use? Does anyone have any input on the typical weight of rail used in loco servicing areas? The photos I have of the prototype are from a low angle and perpindicular to the tracks, so you can’t tell the height of the rail. Any suggestions?
Brant
It depends on the facility, but for modern facilities Code 83 would be appropriate–that would match current heavyweight rail fairly closely. Code 70 would also work fine.
Since the difference in actual rail thickness between Code 83 and Code 100 is .017", about 1.5 scale inches, at least to my eyes they don’t look all that different. The best way to “shrink” the apparent size of your rail is to paint the sides (I airbru***he rails and ties, then scrape the paint off the tops with a block of wood and touch up with a Bright Boy) to kill any shine. Rails become much less apparent when so treated.
Thanks for the imput. I originally bought code 83, but I am leaning toward 70. I am planning on using 70 in the rest of the yard, so it might look a little more believable if they are the same.
IMHO Code 70 would be better with the ties buried…Unless its a new engine servicing area then code 83 will be better.