[modeleng] Re: Elevated track systems

Harry

Our club track is - apart from the station and steaming bays, turntable and
points - jig welded steel sections (12 feet long straights and curves, 3
rails of circa 1.5" x 1/4" BMS gauged 5" and 3.5") supported on "home cast"
concrete "A" Frames spaced about 6 feet apart.  Sections are bolted together
with fishplates.  Track is fully automatically signalled (3 aspect) using
insulated pads connected to a micro-processor controlled system - train
shorts pad to track.

The "A" Frames each stand on a paving slab bedded on fined earth and/or sand
or fine ballast.  Anti-tip rails are secured to sides of "A" frames with
signal conduit underneath and track is clamped to top of frames by single SS
studding.  Suitable wedges and/or shims are inserted under the rails to give
pseudo super-elevation on curves and fine height adjustment.

Due to the mature of our land - near water-meadow and subject to winter
flooding - the slabs sink in over time and we find that each year a few
(circa 10) have to be re-set.  We lever up the slabs and pack some material
underneath - hence mixture of bedding over the years.  About three years ago
after circa 15 years use, we re-aligned the complete track and re-set all
the gradients using a (borrowed) "Hilti" laser level.  We estimate that this
will, of necessity, be repeated in another 10 years or so.

Station, sidings and steaming bays are vertical RSJs embedded into concrete
foundations and paths with "T" piece welded on top.  Track here was saved
from previous location and is of same rail section but connected / spaced by
studding in tubes.

We find that the construction suits our location and heavy fortnightly
public running (April to Oct inc) carrying between 280 and 900 passengers
over 3 hours each time.  Concrete "bridging" would probably crack given the
ground conditions.

Andy

-----Original Message-----
From: modeleng-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:modeleng-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Harry Wade
Sent: 28 September 2006 15:53
To: modeleng@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [modeleng] Elevated track systems

At 09:07 AM 9/27/06 +1000, you wrote:
>Harry, I don't know about the UK, but here down under, a variety of
methods are used.

      Thanks everyone for your experiences.  I suppose there are many
combinations of ways to do this depending upon soil, climate, and local
resources (and money).  Any other descriptions are welcomed.

Regards,
Harry

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