Concrete Tie strip for N Scale and Code 40 Rail

[narrowminded]

@ednadolski  The first pieces should be out of the printer in a few minutes.  I'll give them a bake, measure, and check some rail in them.  If all goes well I should have something to report tonight.  Maybe even a crappy pic!

The ME code 40 I have measures about the same except the rail head is .018".  I'll get back when I have something to report.

[narrowminded]

First run came out good.  

The rail guides are perfect fit.  Glued a couple of rails down and the gauge is at the tightest end of the NMRA spec so I will want to adjust that out.  Cars run nice on it.  I will really check things over in a few days but now, I'm going to post a few crap pics, clean up, and get to bed.  I may be a couple of days before posting again.

[Missaberoad]

Wow! Mark that looks awesome!

This is classic Railwire!

[MK]

THAT is amazing!     I see a whole new opportunity opening up.  Forget copper clad ties and soldering! 

[ednadolski]

Absolutely fantastic!   Imagine what that will look like when painted/ballasted/weathered!     I can see that I'm going to have to get started on a turnout fret  (#10, anyone?)

Well done, indeed! Be sure now that you take the time to rest up and recover well! 

Ed

[C855B]

Superb! Thank you for taking this on.

[reinhardtjh]

What kind of printer were they done on?  Resin or FDM?

[Frank Amato]

Oh man, code 40 turnout tie strips would be awesome !!!

[John]

This is awesome work man ..   

[ednadolski]

Freeze frame this at 0:05, the code 40 rail really doesn't seem much undersized at all by comparison:

[narrowminded]

Thanks to all for your encouraging replies.  It makes the efforts worthwhile. 

I've checked in a few times today, fell asleep with the computer on, and really wasn't up to heavy thought.  The operation went well and I'm home resting and with six weeks of limited duty.  But this isn't 1:1 ties and rail so I should be able to get back at my RR efforts within a few days... or less.   And if not track, I have multiple projects that are being juggled right now so no lack of things to occupy the time.

I knew I could do this tie bed for a matter of the request and encouragement because the real functional development work was already done through my Nn3 efforts.  And those efforts go on, turnouts and related operating options as well as related track parts being experimented with at present.  All of that will translate to N standard gauge as well.  The system has had excellent functionality, it's relatively easy to use, and the flexibility of design is pretty endless, evidence these ties. 

Meanwhile, does any body need Code 40 Wood Style tie track?  Or dual gauge?  Or, some day, Code 40 Turnouts? 

[Missaberoad]

Meanwhile, does any body need Code 40 Wood Style tie track? Or, some day, Code 40 Turnouts? 

I would absolutely be into Transition Era code 40 track. Switch kits (like the HO central valley line) definitely has my attention...

[robert3985]

Meanwhile, does any body need Code 40 Wood Style tie track?  Or dual gauge?  Or, some day, Code 40 Turnouts? 

@narrowminded Mark, I'm interested in C40 wooden tie track in both a heavily trafficked tie configuration, and a lightly trafficked tie configuration.

I'm also interested in C55 wooden tie track in a heavily trafficked tie configuration.

Of particular interest for me would be correctly sized ties, and tie plates that are correctly dimensioned (omitting the rail cant feature) being easily visible as opposed to most model track which models them to be virtually invisible with huge "spike heads" that dominate the sides of the rails, but prototypically are nearly invisible when viewed from the side.

Photo (1) - Spiking patterns for 13" wide six and eight hole tie plates:


Of interest is that the photos I have of U.P. mainline trackage in Weber and Echo Canyons from 1947 thru 1949 show that both 6 and 8 hole tie plates were being used with a different spiking pattern than any of those shown on the official 2003 spiking pattern specification posted above.

Photo (2) - Spiking pattern on U.P. mainline trackage Wasatch Grade 1949:


From my research, it appears that U.P. liked having two spikes on both sides of the mainline rails, one being a "gauge" spike, the other an "anchor" spike.  This pattern is evident on both curves and straight sections on mainline heavily trafficked trackage in the transition era.

For lightly trafficked track, only one spike per each side of the rail was used, both being "gauge" spikes, and possibly (I can't see for sure) with only a narrower four hole tie plate.  The gauge spikes weren't driven directly across from each other on either side of the rail, but staggered.

I also have not come across an official drawing of a transition era six or eight hole tie plate, so the exact measurements aren't 100% in my brain.  However, it looks as if they're probably at least 13" wide since the 130#, 131# transition era four hole tie plates are 12" wide.

Photo (3) - U.P. four hole tie plate for 130/131# rail:


Photo (4) - U.P. four hole tie plate for 90# rail:


Of course, tie length, tie thickness and tie width varied from heavily trafficked track, to medium trafficked track, to lightly trafficked track...as well as the spacing between ties.  These measurements may have varied between railroad companies too, but I don't know for sure since my research deals with U.P. practices.

Photo (5) - U.P. Tie dimensions and spacing tracks of different usages:


Photo (6) - Showing tie plates on modern wooden tie trackage at the Taggarts Bridges over the Weber River on the Wasatch Grade:


Looks as if modern trackage has much wider tie plates than transition era trackage, maybe 16" wide or slightly more.

However, even trackage with more prominent tie plates than is currently on any brand's flex, but only a scale 13" to 14" wide, would look exponentially better than what's available nowadays.

Finally, spike head dimensions should be kept as close to prototype as possible, so...

Photo (7) - Spike dimensions during Transition Era were the same as they are now at least as far as the "head" is concerned:


I'll see if I can find a diagram of a six and/or eight hole tie plate, but it's time to get a bit of sleep before starting my day.

Hope this info helps as far as getting the correct tie, tie plate, spike head dimensions, and spiking pattern for standard gauge trackage for several usages.

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[C855B]

I recently started work on a tie pallet for #7 turnouts with ME C40 rail using proto87.com frogs and points, with tie spacing and profile to match ME C40 flex. A priority was the same footprint as the Atlas C55 #7 for ease of use with track planning software, but I haven't made it that far yet. I am more than happy to cede that project to Mark @narrowminded if he wants to take it on!

[narrowminded]

OK, I'm ready to start some changes.  First is some clearer pics that are brutally honest.   Here goes! 

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Looking at it with the naked eye it looks pretty darn good.  At this detail I see a few things I think should be adjusted for close up pics but keep in mind, at this size some details are no more than a few thousandths so...   Remarks are welcome.  It might be worth a view of some prototype pics to get a sense of them.  There are several styles of rail clamps.  Some are bulky enough that they would probably interfere with wheel flanges and others are pretty low in profile. 

Here's a link to some prototypes.  Peruse the various sizes, too.

https://www.lbfoster.com/en/market-segments/rail-technologies/solutions/concrete-ties

This is a group of pics from around the world.  Some US but many not.
https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1JZAP_enUS826US827&q=concrete+railroad+ties&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwivlf7745_mAhUR7J4KHfIGBvIQsAR6BAgJEAE&biw=1366&bih=639