Large Scale Central

1:20.3 Dual guage

Track and Trestles
#21

Dave,

Yeah I think I am over that idea. There are a few options open now for a motor block already gauged to 32mm. Maybe a little pricier than I hoped but will be alot less head ache and in the long run a better product. Leading the pack is using a gearbox and motor from North West Shortline. Now that Dave there and I got on the same track he has given me some ideas that will work great. The only hang up there is finding a driver and them matching his axle to that driver. So may still have to mill something unless there is a round hole driver. I was lookin on Ebay and see that there is a supply of either old lionel drivers or replacement lionel drivers.

Anyone know anything about axle attachment on these. Even if I had to drill out the driver to a round hole and a pressed fit that would be ok.

#22

OK so I have contacted Garden Railway Specialists about a 32mm/45mm dual gauge section of track. They are great so far to work with. I sent them a drawing and they put me in touch with their track builder. He is working up a price for a 12’ run of dual gauge track that will have two divergence pieces. This is all done in code 250 nickle track. The ends of the gauge seperation tracks are made to attach to code 200 32mm track with regular code 200 rail joiners. The only thing that needs to be done is the elevation difference needs to be taken into account and the ties wont be the same. But it is entirely pausible that a prototype would use lighter rail and different ties for the 2’ gauge anyway so this is a minor concern. Below is my propsed track plan. I will have to use 32 mm flex track to make them tight corners and since I have changed plans wont’t be hand laying track on homemade ties but the track builder will be willing to run 10-12 to the foot tie spacing on the dual guage section so will have that narrow gauge feel.

Cant wait to see the price. Now that I have a motor block thanks to Stan I think this just moved up on the priority list. I don’t know if I will be able to do the entire book case dual level display but I should be able to swing the upper level at this time. I really think this will be a fun project; and maybe, just maybe I will have a working layout.

#23

Ok I have to report that I am continuing to be impressed with the folks at Garden Railway Specialists. Talk about customer service. They do not directly do track themselves they have an independent track builder. Well they forwarded my inquiry to him and he contacted me personally so that we could converse on exactly what I am looking for. He asked me questions and I gave him my vision. Dave is great. He was even helpful in giving suggestion on how to do the majority myself. I await his drawings and a quote but so far this is a great company to work with.

#24

All very interesting. Anyone interested in duel gauge track should visit the RR Museum in Carson City Nevada if they get the opportunity.

#25

I think that you will need one of these.

There can’t be very many of those in reality.

#26

That’s a cool sign David. When this gets done (looking like a winter project) I might include one.

I do have to report that after working with the guys at Garden Railway Specialists I am not going to go with them. Now this has nothing to do with them being less than great, they are awesome. Its just that I am ultra picky especially on this piece of track because it will be a big focal point and used for some close up photography and the way he attaches the track wont look prototypical. The track builder after conversing with me by email was the one who realized I might not be happy and talked me out of it. He suggested I hand lay it myself and even gave me a simple drawing to show how he was planning to do it. Great guys and I appreciate a guy who would rather give up the sale than build something I would be less than satisfied with.

#27

Cant wait to see what you come up with. I think you made the right move by building the track. For a smaller layout its best to do it right especially if you are looking to photograph it. I actually like the dual gauge idea and you got me thinking for a small mince on my layout I can make into a 16mm line. Especially since most of my steamers can be converted to fit three guages. Cant wait to see how you do the switch.

#28

Devon Sinsley said:

You have come through. The europeans seem to have this covered. Just don’t call it O call it 32mm The I P Enginneering has a 32mm budget chassis. Nice.

Devon, it has nothing to do with the Europeans in any way. It is the BRITISH companies who proliferate the 32mm track system. True, Regner make a VERY high-priced 30mm Feldbahn system, but I’ve never seen it here in UK.

Using 32mm gauge track to replicate the common two-foot UK narrow-gauge scene was an entirely British invention - most NG in Europe [that’s the bigger bit across the English Channel, BTW, just for clarification] is around 750/760mm or meter gauge, like the RhB.

tac

16mm Association Member #9402

#29

Devon,

Atlas used to make a small O-scale diesel that would make a good motor block for 2’ gauge line. I see them at train shows on the dealer shelves.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/O-gauge-railway-Atlas-Switcher-Shunter-New-Never-Run-/331541072156?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item4d3163491c

And now for some photos - I love dual and triple gauge!

D&RGW:

Switchover to the other side on a wye (D&RGW again - they had the same problem in passenger stations between two platforms):

East Broad Top - recent photo when the mainline through the yard was cleared for MUCRR:

And some of mine - this is a 2’ curving and a switch on the 3’ gauge:

A 2’ gauge stub switch on the 3’ gauge mainline in my old attic:

An ‘escape’ of the 2’ leaving the triple gauge (2’ 3’ std g, no idea where this pic came from!):

#30

tac Foley said:

[that’s the bigger bit across the English Channel, BTW, just for clarification]

tac

Sorry Tac,

All those countries on the other side of the Atlantic look the same you know.(http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-surprised.gif) Thank you for the clarification though.

#31

Shawn Viggiano said:

Cant wait to see how you do the switch.

Not a switch really no moving parts. It merely is a point at witch the gauges merge. Should be relatively easy to make I would think though I have never done anything like it.

#32

Pete,

The problem with the diesel blocks so far that I can see is making them a steam loco. No spoked wheels and right kind of side rods. no mater what you do your trying to adapt a wheel to fit an existing block. and not having much to play with in my hands (thats how I figure stuff out) it just semms like more of a task than it is worth. But there are some nice blocks that people have shown me that are very doable if i can convert the wheels and I am not opposed to that at all. I might buy one just so I have it to look at take apart and eventually break (kinda like I did the one from Stan). I am still open to how this will work out.

#33

Make them outside frame with exposed counter weights. That way you can hide all but a bit 'o rim.

John