Can anyone reccomend some decent looking rerailers that I can incorporate into my layout. I am not interested in the Atlas or Model Power type of rerailers, I want something thats not so conspicious. Since turning 50 my eyes are not what they used to be and getting some of my cars back on the tracks is becoming a PIA. Thanks for any suggestions.
I know you don’t want to hear about Atlas rerailers but I have several on my layout in the hidden areas where it would be disasterous if a derailment occured there. I do have one out in full view and right at the front of the layout but I built a crossing out of it so it isn’t too bad.
-Bob
I’ve not tried it but this might interest you: http://jiffyrailer.com/ and http://jiffyrailer.com/Installation.html
I believe that RIX manufactures a portable rerailer, rather like a long, skinny chute that fits over/between the rails at one end, specifically designed to assist in placing cars on the rails.
Thanks to my choice of prototpe, I can model accurate rerailers that look like country grade crossings. The geometry is the same as the commercial product, but I build them from loose guard rails and ground goop or patching plaster over ordinary flex track.
I also have a rerailer at the entrance to one hidden staging yard. It has yet to rerail a car.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Chuck is right, the Rix Rail-it works for putting cars on the track, but does nothing for re-railing cars theat go off the track in a running train.
IN HO scale
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/628-2
and N Scale
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/628-3
I’ve got a Rix Rail-it and it works weil. In HO gauge, it requires about a 2-foot length of unobstructed straight track to use it conveniently, no turnouts, grade crossings, guard rails, etc. I hang mine from the benchwork on a small piece of Velcro, but even so, I don’t usually bother with it for one or two freight cars. It’s great for putting a big steamer on the track, though.
“I’ve got a Rix Rail-it and it works well.”
Regardless of how well the Rix item works, it does not meet the OP’s criteria. He wanted something that could be incorporated into the layout, and was not as conspicuous as the Atlas item.
This:
… seems somewhat at odds with this:
If it’s less conspicuous, you may have trouble finding it. [swg]
I think that the Atlas ones are probably still your best bet: weather them a bit and, if appropriate, incorporate them into a crossing. My guess is that few visitors will even notice them but they should still be easy enough for you to find (at least you’ll know where to look).
Wayne
The only issue I can see with these, is the one of rail height. If they’re made for code 100 rail, they’ll be too tall for code 83 rail, and vice versa.