Post by raymbo on Apr 28, 2012 19:23:56 GMT -5
We just returned from Coshocton Ohio where we bought a little over 2,000 feet of rail.
I decided to try the Enterprise Plastics Inc ties and here is the break down.
The ties are MAGNIFICIENT and they are really easy to make track with. They are self gauging, holes are cored in for the track screws, and they will last a life time. The down side for me is the cost, at about $1.00 each, and 3 to a foot of track, that is $3.00 a foot, plus the rail at .85 a foot making the track $1.70 for a total of $4.70 a foot plus the fasteners.
Fasteners are 10X1 hex washer type at .023 each and four are needed per tie.
The rail joiner bolts and nuts are about 8.3 cents each and four are needed per joint.
The rail joiners are $.45 each and two are needed per joint.
I really like the ties but if I can find the properly treated wood I think the cost per foot for the track will be less but of course it will be a whole lot more labor.
The treated wood must be "Ground Contact" type labeled ESR-2240-UC4B with a .6 saturation. For an 8 foot 2X6 they run approximately $4. each. I do not know yet how many ties one will make but to make switches some wood is going to be absolutely necessary.
Here are a few photos of two sections assembled about 1 hour after parking the trailer.
Track on the trailer by Ray Grosser, on Flickr
sections assembled by Ray Grosser, on Flickr
Screws in the ties to hold the rail by Ray Grosser, on Flickr
Rail joiner by Ray Grosser, on Flickr
2 sections assembled by Ray Grosser, on Flickr
Test section by Ray Grosser, on Flickr
Help! I've fallen and I can't get up!!!!!!
I decided to try the Enterprise Plastics Inc ties and here is the break down.
The ties are MAGNIFICIENT and they are really easy to make track with. They are self gauging, holes are cored in for the track screws, and they will last a life time. The down side for me is the cost, at about $1.00 each, and 3 to a foot of track, that is $3.00 a foot, plus the rail at .85 a foot making the track $1.70 for a total of $4.70 a foot plus the fasteners.
Fasteners are 10X1 hex washer type at .023 each and four are needed per tie.
The rail joiner bolts and nuts are about 8.3 cents each and four are needed per joint.
The rail joiners are $.45 each and two are needed per joint.
I really like the ties but if I can find the properly treated wood I think the cost per foot for the track will be less but of course it will be a whole lot more labor.
The treated wood must be "Ground Contact" type labeled ESR-2240-UC4B with a .6 saturation. For an 8 foot 2X6 they run approximately $4. each. I do not know yet how many ties one will make but to make switches some wood is going to be absolutely necessary.
Here are a few photos of two sections assembled about 1 hour after parking the trailer.
Track on the trailer by Ray Grosser, on Flickr
sections assembled by Ray Grosser, on Flickr
Screws in the ties to hold the rail by Ray Grosser, on Flickr
Rail joiner by Ray Grosser, on Flickr
2 sections assembled by Ray Grosser, on Flickr
Test section by Ray Grosser, on Flickr
Help! I've fallen and I can't get up!!!!!!