Templot Club Archive 2007-2020
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posted: 8 Jun 2010 00:19 from: dave turner
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Hello This is my first post so please inform me of any inadvertent transgressions I may make. I'm attempting to design a modular railway, based on 4ft X 2ft units, that can be expanded over the years without ripping up too much of any earlier module, as space, time and money allow. (I hate throwing things away). The ultimate dream idea is to model a representation of Shrewsbury station, through to a fictional Cambrian Coast terminus, based on the 40's through pre-Beeching period; which allows at least GWR, LMS. LNWR, & BR livery. After due consideration I decided on XTrkCAD for the general design and Templot for the serious detail. I've decided on using an N gauge but since I'm more interested in trackwork than rolling stock I am having difficulty making a decision between code 55 and 40 and whether to go for finescale or not. I hope that someone is able to either answer, or provide some advice regarding the following questions:- 1) Assuming stock is not rewheeled with fine scale (2mm society or 2fs etc) but is 'standard off the peg' N gauge stock; then is code 40 track at 9mm give enough depth to the wheel rims or must one use code 55 to avoid derailment. 2) Other than joining the 2mm society to obtain their bespoke kit are there any other sources for code 55 or 40 rail, sleepers etc. in the UK. as I would prefer to avoid importing directly from the US. thanks in advance Dave |
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posted: 8 Jun 2010 08:33 from: Jim Guthrie
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dave turner wrote: I've decided on using an N gauge but since I'm more interested in trackwork than rolling stock I am having difficulty making a decision between code 55 and 40 and whether to go for finescale or not.Dave, I think that the only supplier of Code 40 track in the UK, other than the 2mm Society, is SMP. Their Code 40 product is about 2/3 down this page. http://www.smpscaleway.com/ It depends on how much track you are going to build, but it might be a better bet joining the 2mm Society since their rail is appreciably cheaper than the commercial product and the cost advantage might offset the society subscription. I think you will be OK with Code 40 rail and N scale wheels as long as you use something like PCB sleepering where there is no rail fixing in the inner side of the rails - i.e. there is nothing to interfere with the flanges and flanges of up to 40 thou can be accommodated. But if you are using Templot to do your track planning, you might want to advance onto more complex track formations sometime soon so you maybe should consider adopting 2mm FS standards since it will be a lot easier to build these complex formations. In most scales where there are coarser track standards, they can bite you on the bum when you try and progress a bit farther than simple turnouts. Jim. |
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posted: 8 Jun 2010 09:02 from: Brian Lewis
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Hi Dave. SMP stock Code 40 rail. C+L Finescale stock Code 55 flat bottom rail. Regards Brian Lewis dave turner wrote: Hello |
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posted: 8 Jun 2010 17:17 from: GeoffJones
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dave turner wrote:Dave I think you would find it worthwhile joining the 2mm Scale Association if you are building your own track. The shop sell a very good range of track parts and tools that are difficult to find elsewhere. These include rail, BH and FB, gapped PCB sleepers, PCB strip for pointwork and a good range of jigs and gauges, although these are for 2FS. You can build track by soldering the rail straight to the PCB but as track is your principle interest you will want to do better than that. There are three main systems on offer: Easitrac which uses plastic sleeper bases with chairs through which you slide the rail. The system includes point bases as well. Strictly 2FS and the insides of the chairs would interfere with deep wheel flanges. See http://www.2mm.org.uk/easitrac/index.htmlConverting a lot of stock to 2FS would obviously be time consuming. Again the 2mm Scale Ass. offers various services to help you with this such as wheel turning to reduce steam loco wheels to 2FS standards. Be careful about buying N scale jigs etc from the US. Apart from the very different appearance of US track due to the different spacing of ties NMRA wheel standards are quite fine, not much different from 2FS, apart from gauge  . I don't think British N gauge stuff has wheels this fine. Hope this helps. Geoff |
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posted: 8 Jun 2010 20:20 from: dave turner
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Thank you all for your replies which gives me a lot of food for thought. I may have mislead people when I stated that I was more interested in track than stock. By this I meant more creating bespoke turnouts, crossovers etc. to fit my designs as opposed having to fit my design to available 'off the peg' geometries. I haven't made a decision as to how closely I want to attempt to replicate chairs, fishplates etc. to scale. With apologies to purists it is the overall immpression I'm thinking about. Also I really don't want to have to go to the expense of rewheeling every item of stock that I buy. Fundamentally unless someone has another suggestion I see my choices as follows:- a) Go the full 2mm scale route b) Compromise on UK N gauge with code 55 imported bullhead rail and 'off the peg" stock cheers Dave |
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