Making an operating outside Third Rail

The old timers put screws in the roadbed next to the track and soldered rail to them.    They did no put the covers on them because the ones I have seen were modeling steam or diesel powered lines, not electric ones.    

Your system looks great to model prototype outside 3rd rail.

I think Gargraves makes outside third rail track ?

Clem 

No. Gargraves does not make outside third rail track. There is no source at present.  Gargraves produces a so-called multi gauge track, which is not prototypical and does not have an elevated third rail.

Gargraves makes 2-rail track that has every 5th tie longer to accommodate the third rail installed by the user.

Thanks Arthur... I thought I saw that at the Gargraves booth at last York. 

Contact Joe Frank forum member if you just plan on operating 2r transit cars. He is the guy for that fine modeling stuff.

The plan shown above looks good but there are other things to consider.           

I made non-operating 3^rd rails using H.O. rail but they are not practical in O if you plan on operating diesels, GG1’s and cars over 60 feet in scale on curves. There are too many sizes of bodies, overhangs, trucks, passenger – caboose steps and hanging air tanks in O, thus ripping them out during operation. O is not standard like H.O. I removed several sections of side 3rd rail because the top boards were destroyed by items other than subways. I think these sections were slightly higher than others. Very hard to install. If you move them back to accommodate clearance to run freight, it will affect the DC operation as well.

For me, it was months of extra work just to get the look. Not worth the effort unless you strictly run subways or known same size cars. I didn’t want to limit myself just to transit cars when there are so many other motive power units and freight cars out there to enjoy.

I don’t know where you will find 2r transit cars or all the parts needed for DC conversion either. Sounds very expensive and time consuming just to satisfy the goal. Good luck!

I also modified an MTH IRT set to run on prototypical outside third rail. It is easy, and you don't even have to remove the rollers. I placed a sliding contact arm under the body of a second unpowered car, connecting it to the first by a cable.  Am fooling with various assemblies, and thinking of offering it as a kit. The lights draw a lot of amps. It is somewhat limited in radius, but the two-car consist runs well and in a tunnel section on a test layout where I have regular inside third rail. With this set-up you can have prototype third rail in a station, and use regular track where it cannot be seen. No need to alter the motors. I did this because if I ruined the car I didn't want it to be the power car, but a less expensive trailer. I eventually added a second contact arm to the same car to cover gaps in the third rail. With a six car set,  and only one  car with outside pick-up,  with interior lights, the amps are two high for the small pickups, which heat up..

Q Car Company makes third rail chairs IRT type and IND BMT type. They are white metal and are for using HO rail. He also makes trucks for many subway cars along with third rails shoes and shoe beams. They are dummy's  but can be converted  for operation. The trolley poles are functional. All his motors are 12 volt DC and he can provide two rail insulated or straight DC using outside third rail and or overhead wire operation. Steve Olsen operates his cars using outside Third rail as does the Bay Ridge Model Railroad Club.  Joe Frank, Bob Olson and  I operate using Two rail with a dummy outside third rail. I have run 2 rail scale trucks on Gargrave track without issue. Mostly in a subway environment where the tracks are not readily visible. Gargrave made  2 rail track for many years with outside third rail mounted on longer ties every  4 or 5 ties. They also made chairs. They may still would produce the track if asked to. The chairs could be made quite easily. If you are serious give them a call.

Happy New Year to all.

Nate

Thanks  I love anything to do with Subways so I made my own line of Subway Signals

prrjim posted:

The old timers put screws in the roadbed next to the track and soldered rail to them.    They did no put the covers on them because the ones I have seen were modeling steam or diesel powered lines, not electric ones.    

Your system looks great to model prototype outside 3rd rail.

I have a section of 2 rail track that has the outside 3rd rail insulators that look exactly like the very old brown porcelain one from the early 1900's ..they are so perfect complete with holders for the rail..this was done by modelers of the 1930's..will add a picture soon.

If anyone would like to see a layout with a working 3rd rail I suggest looking back to January 2004 O Gauge Railroading. Starting on page 100, the layout features not only an operating 3rd rail but also a live catenary. An interesting article and a great set of photos. 

Anthony Casamassima posted:

prrjim posted:

The old timers put screws in the roadbed next to the track and soldered rail to them.    They did no put the covers on them because the ones I have seen were modeling steam or diesel powered lines, not electric ones.    

Your system looks great to model prototype outside 3rd rail.

I have a section of 2 rail track that has the outside 3rd rail insulators that look exactly like the very old brown porcelain one from the early 1900's ..they are so perfect complete with holders for the rail..this was done by modelers of the 1930's..will add a picture soon.

And don't forget the two infamous 3rd rail layouts still in existence; the Brooklyn model RR Club in Bay Ridge Brooklyn, NYC.  And at the former CUT the traveling B&O layout formerly at the Cinergy building in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio.