I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s thought about this, but who uses rerailers, such as the terminal rerailer track that comes with many starter train sets, to help avoid or rerail derailments on hidden and hard to access track?
I’m going to have close to 57 linear feet of hidden return loop double track mainline on my layout, and while I will be able to access the areas from under the tables, it will be annoying at best if I have an entire train derail once it goes out of sight.
I was thinking of placing a 9" straight track rerailer on each mainline just inside each tunnel, at the beginnings and ends of each curve, and at approximately 4 to 6 foot intervals along the long stretches of straight track. I figure that would result in around 18-24 rerailers over the course of both mainlines in the hidden areas. (keep in mind, this is an around the wall, 20x21’ layout)
Of course, I have every intention of laying track with the greatest of care, and testing each section of track for correct gauge and possible derailments as soon as possible, but would the addition of rerailers pay for itself in fewer headaches, or would it be a wasted effort? Anybody else try this idea?
I would say that sounds like a fine solution. The ones at the entrance/exit to tunnels will help prevent a derailments that causes the train to uncouple as well.
I have easier access to the hidden staging area, so I opted to not use them and found, as you mention, careful track laying is step one.
At my club, we thought this was a great solution for possible derailments in long tunnels etc. The only problem was that the rerailers were more prone to cause a problem than just having good flex alone. You could add some gaurd rails to the flex track to do the same job. This would give you the option of laying much longer lengths and not add breaks in the flex track. A couple of the rerailers used, kept putting unwanted humps and misalignment to otherwise good track.
Bob K.
Perfect! That’s exactly what I was talking about! Glad to hear I’m not the only one who’s considered this idea! All the track I plan to use will be brand new, with the exception of some really good condition used turnouts (cheaper than brand new sometimes).
Back when Tony Koester was still moving coal, one of the photos of the AM showed rerailers on his hidden staging tracks.
I’ve installed rerailers in a few places on my hidden trackage, including a couple which I installed across the joint of a removable “domino.” After installation, I carefully cut them with a razor saw, then dressed the rail ends. So far, they haven’t had any derailed equipment to put back on the track, nor have they derailed anything passing over them.
I too use re-rerailers on my hidden track. I installed them about twelve feet apart and (hind sight being 20:20) I wonder if I should have halved that distance. They don’t seem to cause any problems and the they provide some relief of anxiety.
Re-reailers aren’t the most prototypical looking things, but I also have a couple on each main line (three per hundred feet, spaced to look least instrusive).
Cheap insurance!
Additionally, I am experimenting with a few guard rails on curves leading out of turnouts in hidden areas. It’s seems to be a good use for that old brass flextrack. [:)]
I’m building a double ended 9 track staging yard some 14 inches below my upper level. 0-5-0 clearance is 9 inches between decks once joists etc are taken into account, however, once I put the valance on the top deck, this will drop to about 5-6 inches. So, re-railers on each yard track will be going on. TOs is where most derailments happen.
You are not alone and at a cost of about $5 for 3 HO re-realiers, it is cheap insurance.
