[For any of you who may be interested. At the bottom of this original post, I’ve included some updated testing results of the modified track bumpers that I made back in July. I was actually quite surprised at the results myself.]
Hi Everyone!
On occasion, forum members kindly take the time and the effort to share with the rest of us their own discoveries and helpful ideas that they have incorporated into their layout. (AggroJones’ method for making a forest of inexpensive trees out of mere furnace filters and ukguy’s HO spectacles immediately come to mind.) I can’t say that the following will even break new ground, as the idea has probably already been thought up and done by a number of you.
Even so, I thought I’d go ahead and share with you how I was able to slightly modify a kit of existing Walthers track bumpers and make them both sturdier AND “removable”. Below is a list of the items you’ll need and a pictoral for making them for Code 83 Atlas track:
Items Needed:
Walthers 12-pack of HO track bumpers (Walthers PN: 933-3511 - MSRP $9.98)
10 x 10 Scale lumber: Cut to 5/8" lengths
Cyanoacrylic (CA) adhesive
Razor saw/miter box
Track template: 3" or less piece of sectional track
Step 1 - Using a razor saw and miter box, cut a piece of 10 x 10 Scale lumber into 5/8" long track bumper ties. You will need (2) track bumper ties per track bumper.
Step 2 - Using your sectional track as a template, place one of the track bumper ties in between an inner rail tie. (FYI: The bumper tie will protrude slightly higher than the rail tie.)
Step 3 - Place a light coating of CA onto the top of the tr
Very timely. I have a bag of those Walthers bumpers waiting to be installed. In the menatime I have to be careful not to run off the end of the track, because off the end of the track is a 350 scale foot drop to the concrete canyon floor below.
I highly recomend you put your bumpers on NOW. Its not if it will happen, Its WHEN. I lost an Athern Genesis this way. heh, ~blushes~ As for removable bumpers, I simply use a VERY small amount of Super glue and I can pull them off if I truly need to. Otherwise. they stop a runaway engine in its track. PUN attended. ( i never thought I would use that phrase and it atually means what is says)
Pending fabrication and installation of real bumbers I have put a finishing nail sticking up about a half inch at the end of all ‘at risk’ sidings. It doesn’t look prototypical, but I worry a lot less when operating. And it was quick.
Yeah, the one that’s the most dangerous has a couple of push pins still stuck in the end, won’t stop a serious attempt to run off the rails under power, but a coasting car won’t go flying. Operation is a bit tough as I STILL have not yet connected any of my control panels (hmm, got all the around the house stuff done yesterday, so I have 2 days with nothing on the ‘honey do’ list…should go visit Home Depot and get some masonite and get the darn fascia done so I CAN put up the control panel…). Of course, I do ave the correct size wood, and the bumper kits…if I head down to te basement, odds are I will make a few of Tom’s bumpers instead of installing the control panel. [:0]
tstage,
Very interesting and well done. This is what model railroading is all about; working out a solution to a situation and sharing with other MRRs. When I get to my new home and am able to start a new layout, I will be sure to use your idea. Wonderful, thanks again for sharing.
tstage
I’ve had a bag of bumpers setting around for quite awhile now. Just don’t seem to get around to putting them together. With this new knowledge I now have the motivation to get off my butt and get them on the layout. Thanks.
Terry
