inyo22
Gandy Dancer
God Don't Let Me Screw Up.
Posts: 2
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Post by inyo22 on Apr 3, 2011 20:06:06 GMT -5
Hello,
I am 16 years old and I am interested in starting my own backyard railroad in 7 1/2" (7.5) ga.
I know well of the material cost but I would like some pointers on how to start when I do get the materials. I have the Cannoball Ltd. catalog so I know where I can purchase rail but I have a few questions which I will list below
1.) Since I am building this in 7 1/2" ga. what would be the correct dimensions for a tie? From internet research the dimensions i found were 14" long and 1 1/2" tall by 1 1/2" wide
2.) Second is what would be the proper tie spacing? from internet research again it said 3 1/2" is that good?
3.) I intend on purchasing Standard Rail from Cannonball Ltd. but I see no tie plate comes with it so how do I attach the rail to the tie?
4.) Is a ''Rail Panel'' a pre assembled track? and a rail panel with "stringers" is the ties connected with a wooden beam across the belly of it?
5.) What would be good to use as ballast? would gravel do or do I have to purchased a fine crushed gravel?
I have more Questions which I will ask later but those are the most concered with me Any replies will be very helpful!
Thank you, -Taylor McCready
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Post by bigc691 on May 19, 2013 3:34:14 GMT -5
even though is has been a bit over two years since you posted this message, if you will refer to my post of may 7, 2913, you might find the contents useful for a later project. it sure made our track laying projects go fast.. sorry for taking so long, but I just joined this board a short time ago. bigc
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Post by whiskeyhollow on Jun 12, 2019 11:54:53 GMT -5
Hi Taylor
I'm starting to build my outdoor railroad in my back yard I got a copy of our plot plan so I could layout the track areas. I'm from jersey and the clubs I belong to typ.run 7 1/4 gage track. You can check them out "Penn Live steamers and New Jersey Live Steamers". I also like a lot of the stories on Discover Live Steam but I also find the stories lacking the detail I was looking for, they always leave you hanging. So getting back on track I fig I would lay the same gauge track so I could switch from backyard to club any time I like. I was confused looking at all the possibilities available to me as it relates to track, ties, etc. you can make your own ties which I thought was a good idea till after building some 10' sections of track I don't want to have to ever go back and replace ties that have been laying in the ground rotting away or being eaten by the bugs this includes treated lumber, there are so many ties needed when spaced 3" edge to edge. I was at this train show when I ran into the fine People at Enterprise Plastics, they sell ties with pre-molded plates built-in so there is no need for track gages the notch in the ties sets the gage when using their track or any track with a 15/16" base. They will pre-punch the track ends so it saves you time drilling all the holes to connect the end of the track together they also offer switches and to save you shipping you can place an order and if they are attending a show close to your location they will meet you at the show to save you shipping cost. Also, my first engine was Titan trains the prices are easy on the wallet. So I am laying track I will lay a cheap piece of filter fabric under the track along with cheap conc. paver every 2 feet under the track to lift it a bit and level it best I can and pour crushed stone with sharp edges so it locks in and start riding. when making track don't try to curve your rail without a rail bender its harder then it looks. I was fastening one rail to my ties laying them down and fitting the inside rail as I go it goes a lot faster. you will need 140 screws every 10' of the track. Good luck. John
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