5 Rail Track Conversion

Steve, are you planning on running 5-rail Hoge streamliners on this track?

A lot of work but looks good.

     Steve I am no Mr. know it all so I hope you don't mind me asking? I have only seen 5 rail on trestles and bridges so I was wondering why you are making tracks that seem to be on ground level 5 rail? Thanks in advance for A reply. Choo Choo Kenny

Not meaning to hi-jack this. The 5 rail will permit him to run O or Std Gauge on the same track. The bottom picture tells the story. Scott Smith has done the same thing.

IMHO, it's a very creative way of making the layout more versatile on what is being run.

Gilly 

It's 5-Rail-Dual-Gauge for running Standard(2.125") and O(1.25") gauge trains in the same loop.

    Thanks for the replies gentlemen now I know A little more about trains. Choo Choo Kenny

Tinplate tubular track dual gauge!

Rob & Gilly got it right. I use this layout for club meets and the few train shows we get around here. It has been well received, but being able to run both O & Std will enhance the versatility as well as show the public what can be done in a modest space. Now the Baby Blue Comet will be able to run at shows as well as some other nice O tin.

Steve

I hope you don't work in your shop barefoot. You could get hurt that way.

Steve, you are aware that GarGraves will do a run of the 501-201 5 Rail Dual Gauge for you?

Doc

I don't know if it's needed or not yet, until I get it done and try it. It just seemed like a good idea to tie the two outer rails together to improve contact. The O ties do touch the outer rail, but with them being painted or blackened, I thought I'd add a little extra continuity.

Steve

Steve, what diameter track is that?  I see it's marked 57 underneath but I thought that you could only do this with Std72 track.

Thanks,
John.

John

It is 57"

Steve

Done, just testing for shorts and making sure there are no signal issues. This is a silly combination, but they were easy to grab.

Steve

Rob

They are probably not needed, but I just wanted to make sure power flowed to both O & Std rails evenly. No one else does it that I know of. Just an extra I chose to do.

Steve

Steve,

Have you ever considered installing some 5-rail switches on your layout?  As you know, Rich (Dick) Reichard published some excellent "How To Make" manuals on fabricating custom 5-rail switches for Standard Gauge/O gauge track.  He also has manuals on fabricating several other types of custom track.  He routinely has a table at York where he sells this and other "How To Make" manuals on custom track fabrication.  Here is a link to an order form for his manuals.

http://tcaetrain.org/articles/...ce-Ordering-Form.pdf

Bob Nelson

Bob

I prefer no switches on my outer loops. Tinplate is much happier. I know Dick and have bought some of his other plans, but have no interest in the 5 rail switch at this time.

Steve