Code 30 Rail - Is it for real?

[C855B]

For the third or fourth time in a week, here and elsewhere I have read mentions of "Code 30" rail. Does it have a real rail profile, or is it simply 0.030" x 0.010" strip wire? I found a supplier in an N scale modeling group in the UK, and from the little I can gather from their site it's rectangular nickel-silver jeweler's wire.

We have had discussions here before about something smaller than Code 40 in a flat-bottom rail profile. Has that threshold been crossed?

[DKS]

The rail from the UK is flat wire. Many moons ago I also offered Code 20 rail, which was also just flat wire. However, at that size it's really quite hard to tell it has no profile. This is Zn3 track I laid using it:

[narrowminded]

The rail from the UK is flat wire. Many moons ago I also offered Code 20 rail, which was also just flat wire. However, at that size it's really quite hard to tell it has no profile.

Was that basically square wire with the foot and rail head dimensions the same or was there some profile added?  I ask because when considering something like this I was concerned that the rail head might appear too wide in proportion to the rest of the rail.  But then again, as you mentioned, maybe it's too small to show those differences.

[DKS]

Was that basically square wire with the foot and rail head dimensions the same or was there some profile added?  I ask because when considering something like this I was concerned that the rail head might appear too wide in proportion to the rest of the rail.  But then again, as you mentioned, maybe it's too small to show those differences.

I don't know how wide the UK wire is; @robert3985 might be able to answer that. The rail I had rolled for me (which is Code 25, not Code 20 as I'd originally written) is 0.010" wide--possibly wider than rail head, but again, it's really hard to tell, and it also makes a difference depending on the modeling scale. Here it is used as light rail in N Scale:

[CRL]

You could always paint a shadow line to simulate the recessed rail web.

 

[narrowminded]

The rail I had rolled for me (which is Code 25, not Code 20 as I'd originally written) is 0.010" wide--possibly wider than rail head, but again, it's really hard to tell, and it also makes a difference depending on the modeling scale.

That looks good.   Also looks like you soldered to every tie, no glued wooden fillers.  Correct?

[RRRover]

So where can I get this rail/square/rectangular stock and what kind of metal is it? I can just see my Shays treading this light rail through the woods now...

[C855B]

Nickel silver.

http://www.2mm.org.uk/products/shops.php?shop_num=1

[DKS]

That looks good.   Also looks like you soldered to every tie, no glued wooden fillers.  Correct?

Correct. I leave tie-plate-sized copper pads to simulate tie plates.

[garethashenden]

Nickel silver.

http://www.2mm.org.uk/products/shops.php?shop_num=1

Only available to members though. I personally think the 2mm Association has a lot to offer, both parts and knowledge wise. Its about $40 a year which includes access to the shops and a bimonthly magazine.

[Jbub]

Correct. I leave tie-plate-sized copper pads to simulate tie plates.

What's your process for tching the copper cladding off? I like the look of the soldered "tie plates". It could be the shiney though so it might get lost when painted.

[DKS]

What's your process for tching the copper cladding off? I like the look of the soldered "tie plates". It could be the shiney though so it might get lost when painted.

I don't etch it off. After soldering the rails to copper-clad PC board ties, I run a sharp knife along each side of the rail head at an angle, then peel the excess copper off. It's a little tedious, but not as bad as it sounds. Once everything is painted, the tie plates are still visible as they're a different color from the ties. Sometimes I'll also etch some woodgrain into the ties with a knife tip. Here's some Z Scale track I laid using the Code 25 rail:





More images and info: http://davidksmith.com/modeling/jrb-4.htm

 

[Dave V]

I don't etch it off. After soldering the rails to copper-clad PC board ties, I run a sharp knife along each side of the rail head at an angle, then peel the excess copper off. It's a little tedious, but not as bad as it sounds. Once everything is painted, the tie plates are still visible as they're a different color from the ties. Sometimes I'll also etch some woodgrain into the ties with a knife tip. Here's some Z Scale track I laid using the Code 25 rail:





More images and info: http://davidksmith.com/modeling/jrb-4.htm

Ya know, DKS...  I've seen that scene several times and what really stands out to me is that it's such a well-executed and realistic scene in any scale.  It beats the pants off of anything our local HO modular club and N-Trak clubs can muster.  But then to contemplate that it's actually Z scale...  Mind blown.  Each time.

[CRL]

I don't etch it off. After soldering the rails to copper-clad PC board ties, I run a sharp knife along each side of the rail head at an angle, then peel the excess copper off. It's a little tedious, but not as bad as it sounds. Once everything is painted, the tie plates are still visible as they're a different color from the ties. Sometimes I'll also etch some woodgrain into the ties with a knife tip. Here's some Z Scale track I laid using the Code 25 rail:





More images and info: http://davidksmith.com/modeling/jrb-4.htm

This little scene is phenomenal on so many levels. I can certainly appreciate the switch stand detail closeup, but the 2 details that just floored me are the pavement cracks and the drainage grate. Looking really hard, the only slight breakdown my eye noticed is that the grass tufts in the lower center seem slightly less random than nature would have produced... but if you had a z-scale landscaping contractor do the work, it’s perfect.

[GaryHinshaw]

Great scene indeed. We’re so lucky DKS decided to come out of retirement.