Code / Rail sizes

David:

 

It depends mainly on the prototype you want to model, and more importantly, your era.  Generally, code 148 or 138 is used for mainlines, code 125 for branchlines and code 100 for sidings and possibly yard tracks.  Research the prototype you want to model, and if the tracks are still there measure the rail.  I'm modeilling a PRR branchline and some of the yard tracks still have rail dated 1906 that is 5" high corresponding to code 100 rail.  The main track of the branchline has, as best I can recall, 130 lb rail, that is 6" high, so code 125 is perfect for that.  I'm not as interested in the size of the rail as measured by the prototype in pounds as I am in the height.  We have basically 5 sizes/heights of rail to chose from in O scale, codes 83, 100, 125, 138 and 148.  Find the heighth that best matches the prototype and use that.

 

I looked through the valuation records at the National Archives for the branchline I want to model and in 1918 there was still some 60 lb rail around.  I'm not sure how high the rail was but I'm guessing it was equivalent to code 83 or even 70 in O scale.

 

The farther you go back the smaller the rail is.  The rail on the main track of the branchline is dated 1921.  When I measured the rail lengths they were shorter than I thought it should be.  The updates to the valuation records indicate this was relaid rail.   Most likely this was rail removed from mainline service but was still usable and was relaid on the branchline with the ends of the rail cropped due to wear.  In 1921 the 130 lb rail was probably heavy duty mainline rail, but later larger rail became common place and the old rail that was usable was relaid on branchlines.

 

 

Thanks for the info, that helps alot.

 

CSX, in the early 90's, coaling industry of southern west virginia. 

In that case I'd use code 148 for main tracks and 125 for sidings.  I'm modelling 1940 and will use code 125 for the main tracks of the branchline and code 100 for sidings and yards.  On a few sidings that were laid long before 1940 I'll use code 83. 

 

Thank you.

Might want to test that code 83 before you lay to much of it. Some wheel flanges might hit the spike heads. I don't have any 83 on my layout. I personally think it is much to light for anything after 1900. I would think it was all gone by the 30's except on narrow gauge RRs. Lucky for me the railroad I model still has the track in place as a short line near where I live and I can go check it out anytime I need to. Ken the guy from AR