Showing posts with label Mt Albert. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mt Albert. Show all posts

Friday, October 18, 2013

Handlaid Points

The latest project on my workbench is a No.6 left hand point.  This one uses Code 83 rail (equivalent to 82 lb/yd rail in S scale).

Construction follows the same techniques I have been using for well over 30 years, with real wood sleepers and gluing the rail down with Pliobond adhesive.

Although I usually use Northeastern 12" x 6" HO scale lumber for the sleepers, this time I used precut On3/On2½ "switch ties" by Mt Albert Scale Models in Canada (available from The Railcar near Newcastle, NSW).  The thickness of the Mt Albert sleepers closely matches the On2½ flexible track and points available from Micro Engineering.  Prior to construction, I stained the sleepers with potassium permanganate solution.

The sleeper size and spacing of the Micro Engineering On2½ flexible track and points are just about spot on for Sn3½ track, except that the sleepers are 4-5 mm too long, but that is fairly easily fixed by trimming the ends of the sleepers.  Micro Engineering only makes #5 points in the On2½ range, so handlaying is the only option for other types other than converting HO points "sleeper by sleeper".  They do make a "kit" for No. 6 points consisting of a cast metal frog and machined blades, which could reduce the time and skills needed for handlaying.