You know those rails on elevated sections, or through bridges- inside the gauge…
Is there a demand for this on flex track… or would you ratehr hand-lay this detail?
[?]
I think they look kinda cool on a layout – I got the bridge track from Walthers for my bridges.
but is it truly flexible? - with 4 rails?
That is an issue–it suddenly would become a much stiffer product. Guardrails on curves are fairly easy to apply on flextrack–just bend a piece of rail to the approximate curve, cut it to length and glue it to the inside side of the plastic “spikes” and you’re all set.
Micro-Engineering even has “bridge-flex track” in N-scale (at least), which has different/closer ties, and spike plates for guard rails already cast into the ties. So, you just glue some extra rail and glue it on in.
—jps
No, I don’t think the Walthers bridge track is flexible – it’s designed to fit their bridges and most other kit models. For a curved bridge, you’d probably have to hand lay the guard rails.
Shinohara code 70 has flex bridge track I usde it on my two locations I have for my bridges. It is stiffer but it still flexes.
Railroads sometimes used only 1 guard rail on curved track.
Enjoy
Paul
I used N-scale rail to represent the guide rail on an HO scale club layout’s bridges and trestles. If you can find a photograph showing prototype guide rail, it was usually a lighter weight rail than the running track. I pre-bent the rail when it was going to be applied on a curve, cut it into short lengths to represent 40’ rail sections, and fastened it with super glue. Prototype railroads usually did not use rail joiners on guide rail because there was no room for the bolts and fish plates.
Micro Engineering also has (or had) bridge flex track in Code 83. I think adding the guard rails makes bridges look 100 percent better than modelling without. I do have one question though - what was purpose of these rails? I assume that it somehow kept the train on the bridge in case of a derailment.
I forgot to mention that. For my code 55 bridge track (N-scale), I used code 40 rail for my guard rails. Not only is this prototypical, but it’s slightly below the main rail height, which makes it easier for cleaning, and a little more forgiving as far as clearances are concerned.
—jps
Yes. If a derailment occured the guard rail would prevent the axle from moving side ways very far by trapping the wheel between the running rail and the guard rail. This not only would help keep the train on the bridge, but would also reduce damage to through type bridges.
Enjoy
Paul
Paul,
Thanks for confirming my assumption about these things.
Dave