Does anyone know the length of Walters #948-360 Code 70 spikes? I am ultimately looking for 1/2 spikes, but I am finding that many manufacturers do not advertise lengths.
My trackwork is Micro Engineering code 83 flex in which the semi-formed holes on the bottom of the ties are drilled out by the rail base. I spike through the hole in the tie, through Midwest cork and into homasote. I know there are many, many ways to lay track, but for me, once the track is painted and ballasted, it looks great and holds well.
For the record, my almost depleted supply was O-scale 1/2 inch spikes. I purchased 1/2 inch Micro Engineering spikes that are advertised for G scale, but the spike’s wire gauge is way too large for HO.
Any leads are appreciated as the track gang will soon be out of materials!
LION has bought two different kinds of spikes from his LHS, one was longer than the other.
But what is the difference. LION buys his nails/spikes at a dealer in hardware. LION prefers 20 ga nails, and about 5/8th inch long. Much cheaper at a hardware store, but of course the heads are round. But if you are putting them in the middle of the tie, as does the LION, then it hardly matters if it is the shape of a railroad spike. It is not black, but that is easy to fix, just slobber some paint on it when you are painting the edges of the rails and or your ties. If you are not doing that, just a dab of a magic marker on the nail head will hide it just fine.
ROAR
I don’t think they are 1/2 inch. Have you tried calling Walthers or Micro Engineering? That may be the only reliable way to find out.
I have also used spikes to hold N scale track down, and once my supply was gone, it seemed like no one had the same spikes that I had been using before.
steamwhistle.
I do not know if this will be of any help to you, but Fast Tracks has 1/4" long spikes. Check out their web site at www.fastracks.com. They sell M E track.
Blue Flamer.
I’ve used Atlas and ME spikes. The Atlas spikes tend to look like small nails, with a circular head, while the ME spikes have an offset, so they tend to do a better job of actually spiking track in place. I’m not sure what the length is, but I really like them.
I have some of the ME Large Spikes (255-30102). They are right at 1/2" overall, just a little less in shank length under the head. They’re right at 3/64" diameter, pretty hefty little devils.