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and maintained by: Mike McNamara |
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How much time do you spend detailing and weathering your right-of-way and track? Did you ever stop to think that after your detailed and weathered locomotives and cars pass by are you and your visitors left to look at undetailed and unweathered rights-of-way and track? Track is every bit part of a model as your locomotives and cars. You have more track than cars exposed at any one time and unlike equipment it is always visible. The best way to get a feel for the actual details and weathering on rights-of-way and track is to look at pictures of your favorite prototype or go out and look at the real thing. However, if you do go out to the real thing watch your step and do not become a trespasser.
POLE LINE - Railroad owned pole line for carrying signal and communication wires. Number of cross arms roughly proportional to the importance of the line, i.e., main line many cross arms with many insulators - lesser branch lines one or two arms with less than fill load of insulators.
Considerations for modeling - Spacing: XXX. Poles: 1/8" dowels (weather w/ india ink and alcohol wash) or bamboo skewers (weather with color marking pens). Cross arms and insulators. Rix cross arms w/ molded on insulators (72/pkg) either buy 628-35 molded in clear green which requires painting cross arm to represent wood or buy 628-31 molded in opaque brown (wood color) and paint insulators - first coat silver, second coat Tamiya clear green 865-81025 or a mixture of clear green and clear blue 865-81023.
ROW SIGNS
MILEPOSTS - Used to show distance from a previous terminal or junction point. Because of line relocations over the years many mileposts are not 5,280' apart. Designs of mileposts were generally railroad specific. PRR mileposts were typically on the railroad north side of the track numbered from major terminals such as, NY, PHL, HBG and PGH.
WHISTLE POSTS - Should be located in advance of places where whistle signals are required by the operating rules. Such as either side of a highway grade crossing in sufficient distance for train to be able to sound the required grade crossing signal, 2 longs - 1 short - 1 long while traveling at maximum authorized speed (with the last long held until the train is on the crossing. Design of whistle posts were generally railroad specific.
FLANGER SIGNS - Placed in advance of switches, highway grade crossings and other side or low obstructions that would be hit by a flanger blade and cause the derailment of the flanger or damage to the ground object. May also be used to warn operator of an obstacle to a snow plow wing. Obviously these signs would not be used in territories where snow and ice is not a problem.
T BOXES (telephone) - T boxes were mounted on steel poles, telephone poles or on exterior building walls and were strategically placed at crossovers, stations, signals and switches where you could enter main track, so train crews could get permission to do things from block operator and dispatcher. Several companies model these, but nobody make accurate PRR type box.
TRACK STRUCTURE DETAILS
TIE PLATES/SPIKES - In my opinion the model track that best captures this aspect in Micro Engineering. A pile of tie plates in a MW materials storage yard would be a nice detail. Best modeled with Monongahela Innoventions not available through Walthers, direct only at Box 204, Myerstown, PA 17067, $7.95/100, code 70 and 83.
JOINT BARS - Before continuous welded rail (CWR) rails came in specific lengths and had to be bolted together with joint bars, sometimes referred to as fishplates or splice bars. Early bars were four hole, later were six hole. Also some joints were insulated where it was necessary to separate signal circuit current, these were special bars with fiber insulation parts between the steel. Since the advent of the 40' gondola rail lengths were 39', used rail that was cropped was 36' or 33'. Joint separation in model railhead can be made by scoring with sharp knife blade. Bars can be modeled with Grandt Line O scale code 70 joint bars ' 300-9003; Details West 4 hole ' 235-922 (12/pkg), 6 hole ' 235-921 (12/pkg); or Monongahela Innoventions $6.96/50 (see above). Apply with ACC before painting and weathering track.
RAIL ANCHORS - Anchors are fastened to the underside of the rail base so they come in contact with crossties and keep the rail from running longitudinally. Would not be a very noticeable detail, however, a pile of them in an MW materials storage yard would be a good detail. Best modeled with Monongahela Innoventions $4.95/100 (see above).
TURNOUT DETAILS
SWITCH POINTS - Switch points have a reinforcing bar in the fishing area between the bottom of the head and top of base. This bar is bolted on and is best represented with Grandt Line O scale code 70 joint bars - 300-9003.
FROGS - Frogs are made up of several pieces that are bolted together. This can best be represented also by Grandt Line O scale code 70 joint bars - 300-9003. Can also be used on crossing frogs.
TIE RODS - Switch points are kept the correct distance apart by two or three tie bars. Micro Engineering turnouts are the only ones provide a realistic tie rod.
RAIL BRACES - Used to stabilize the stock rail in the area of the switch points. Originally use rigid type more modern installations (post 1940s-50s) use adjustable type. Model with Details West, Rigid style - 235-920 (12/pkg), Adjustable style - 235-919 (12/pkg).
GUARD RAILS - All guard rails on model turnouts are a rail section type. Most modern prototypical guard rails are cast manganese one piece which looks different than model guard rails. I have never seen a model of the modern cast type.
HAND OPERATED SWITCH STANDS - PRR standard was the New Century low switch stand with lamps/disks and in later years banners. Can be modeled with Rix 628-13 that works, is similar to PRR standard, but banner (target) is not exactly correct. Overland Models also has several different type switch stands and targets in their parts catalog.
SIGNAL APPLICANCES - Circuit controller model by Alexander 120-3108
POWER OPERATED - Electric switch machine modeled by Alexander 120-3107, Century Foundary 215-135, Details West 235-903, PRR electro-pneumatic nobody.
SWITCH HEATER - Custom Finishing 247-283, LP storage tanks Scale Scenics 652-3505 (2/pkg).
DERAILS - Sequoia 135-2006
TRACKSIDE
DRAGGING EQUIPMENT DETECTORS - Used to determine if any brake rigging or other "stuff" is hanging below top of rail. Placed well in advance of major interlocking plants so that train with dragging gear could be stopped before going through the plant. Typically connected to the signal system, e.g., tripping DED would drop next appropriate signal to stop signal. Model with Details West - 235-905, PRR did not use warning light that comes with kit, audible signal was given to nearest block operator.
HOT BOX DETECTORS (mostly post steam era) - Used to determine if journal bearing temperature is above normal indicating possible hot box. Method of measurement was by axle count - for example report would be 153rd axle on right side of train. Model with Details West - 235-900, PRR did not use warning light that comes with kit, audible signal and printout was given to nearest block operator.
CURVE (rail and flange) LUBRICATORS - Used on outside (high) rail in advance of curves to minimize wear on gage side of rail head and extend life of rail in curves. Wheel tread-operated-ramp actuates pump in lube container forcing grease through hoses to lube distributing assembles. Model with Details West - 235-906 or Sequoia 135-2011.
HIGHWAY GRADE CROSSINGS
SIMPLE UNPROTECTED - Crossbucks
PROTECTED W/ FLASHERS - Several working flashers on market, most realistic flasher kit today is Details West - 235-913 ($19.95), others are also available. Also need relay case and battery vault.
RELAY CASES, RELAY EQUIPMENT HOUSES, AND BATTERY VAULTS
Used at wayside signal, power operated turnout, and grade crossing locations. Alexander (several), Custom Finishing, Details West (several), Trackside Parts (several).
WHEEL STOPS AND BUMPERS - CMA, Custom Finishing, Sequoia, Tomar Industries.
| Web page written
and maintained by: Mike McNamara |
|