O Gauge railroad ties

I've used Moondog Express along time ago. But I believe they're out of business. Few years ago I searched the internet and found the rubber ones with the woodgrain embossed on them and tie plates. Unfortunately I don't remember where.  They are becoming very hard to find.  I'd search the internet for current suppliers or eBay.

You can check to see if the seller has any left from this post.

https://ogrforum.com/...es-for-o-gauge-track

I heard that 3R Plastics only does production runs. All I have purchased have been bought from members here and for reasonable prices. I won't pay what the scalpers else where ask for them. I have made several hundred out of wood and was very happy with them. I need to make several hundred more. 

What is the best way to make wood ties? I guess you would need a small Micro Mark table saw? What is the best wood to use? Will regular 1x4's from Lowes or Home Depot work?

On my previous layout using tubular track, I wanted a bit more realistic look to the track. I wanted to add ties, but was too cheap to pay a big price. So, I made my own by using 1/4" wood window screen molding that you can buy in long sticks. The shape is almost exactly like that of the metal ties and the same width. I cut them to the length needed and painted them black (I had O tubular which also is the exactly the right height). Here are some pictures.

Ranger Rick,

What is that made out of? Plastic?

Good find Rick. I have not seen that screen molding for a long time. I wonder if it is still available around here. I made mine out of pine and used a full size table saw. It's no fun making tiny pieces with a large spinning blade. Painted them black with flat spray paint.   

I got mine from Three R Plastics several years ago. I would suggest calling them to see if they have any in stock.  1-815-675-0844  

TNCENTRR and PATTERNPILOT, the molding is made out of solid pine. I used a strip wood cutter to cut mine, though I found that some was easier to cut that way than others. I see that Home Depot has it available https://www.homedepot.com/p/Wo...ing-109605/203898775. Lowe's may have gone to only plastic. Menard's has it too.

You can make a lot of ties cheaply.

Rick

It's just wood or plastic so a milling bit in drillpress with a temp. fence would work too. IF you made slots.

Otherwise even a hand saw would cut a length. A hacksaw would even cut lengths quick and clean the girth is so small 

Rick: Great idea, I'm redoing one of my layouts. How often do you place a tie between the metal ties ? Thanks.. Bob

Bob, I always enjoy your posts and the progress on your layout and of course the commentary on it too. As for the spacing of the ties, you will see that it comes pretty naturally. On curved pieces of track, I could only add one more wood tie between the metal. On the straight pieces, it seems to me that I could add and evenly space two of the wood ties. I had to leave that layout in Atlanta, so I cannot go down and check. Sorry. I have rebuilt another layout here in Ohio and I used Gargraves track this time. By the way, late this summer, my layout in Atlanta was filmed and may be seen in a future Gorilla Glue commercial. I have not gotten any further information on it. I am adding a couple of more pictures of the ties. Hopefully it will give you an idea of spacing.

tncentrr posted:

What is the best way to make wood ties?

Best way is to buy them from Kappler and not waste time and money both.

But, if you set up 3 fences on your band saw for width, height, and length you can make as many as you want from whatever wood you prefer.  Suggest you use clear pine and to avoid all hard woods.

As is typical of queries I have posted on various topics on this forum, I am so grateful for the incredibly helpful information shared by so many.  For a variety of reasons, I will go the least expensive route, limit purchases of any plastic ties I can secure, and make the rest myself.  Here are a few comments on some of the posts:

1.  I had previously contacted the person who had offered 3R plastic ties - long gone. 

2.  Do not see any means to purchase plastic ties from previous manufacturers, and limited offers available privately.

3.  The ones I made previously were from 1/4" X 1/2" X 4' hardwood strips from Home Depot (see photos).  I cut them to 2.5" lengths using a chop (miter) saw.  Stacked several strips for each cut.  Fit perfectly under existing metal ties.  Tip: paint the full length before cutting, otherwise you will have small ties blown all over from the force of the spray paint.  (Don't ask why I know this.)

4.  The screen molding strips look great and the price is incredible, especially for 8' lengths. They appear to be 3/4" in width.  Not sure I want that width or whether the strip will fit under the existing metal tie.  Were not in stock in any of the Home Depot stores in my area.  If I go this route, will have to order them. If necessary, may have to pare down to 1/2" widths (jig saw?).

5. I use 3 ties between existing metal ties on standard lengths of straight track. 

Thanks again.  Enjoy your trains,

Michael

A second for Kapplar Lumber.  

MIKE CT,

I went to the Kappler Lumber website. I saw where they had O scale Standard Gauge Ties. Is that what you used? Do they look ok in tubular track?

Thanks

If you have a table saw, you can buy 1/4" thick neoprene rubber and cut your own ties.  I've done it in the past with good results.  

Ranger Rick posted:

Bob, I always enjoy your posts and the progress on your layout and of course the commentary on it too. As for the spacing of the ties, you will see that it comes pretty naturally. On curved pieces of track, I could only add one more wood tie between the metal. On the straight pieces, it seems to me that I could add and evenly space two of the wood ties. I had to leave that layout in Atlanta, so I cannot go down and check. Sorry. I have rebuilt another layout here in Ohio and I used Gargraves track this time. By the way, late this summer, my layout in Atlanta was filmed and may be seen in a future Gorilla Glue commercial. I have not gotten any further information on it. I am adding a couple of more pictures of the ties. Hopefully it will give you an idea of spacing.

 

Thanks Rick ! That's just what I was looking for. I've learned a lot on this  thread and will be using many hints as time goes by. Good luck with your old layout to be on TV sometime.. Bob

For those of you who want to try the pine molding, it is perfect height for the O tubular track. it is even rounded like the metal tie is on the track. It will be too high for O-27 track and their ties are more flat. Trust me.....I did my whole layout that way. 

I have a few more questions about dimensions of 2 of the suggested wood products:

For Ranger Rick: Is the width of the screen molding 3/4"?

For those using the ties from Kappler Lumber: I am not clear on the dimensions given on the website. Are the strips 24" length? Are any of them 1/4" X 1/2"?  They seem smaller in each of these dimensions.

Thanks,

Michael

Michael, the pine molding is 1/4"  x  3/4"  x   96". With 96 inches, you can make 42 ties (ties are 2 1/4" long).  I painted the molding black first, allowed to dry, then cut to size (2 1/4"). All I have to do then was to put a dab of paint on the ends. I did glue the ties down so they would not move when securing the track or ballasting.  Doing your own is more work, but you do not need any elaborate set up. I small saw at best.  Here is the tool I used. It comes in handy for any scratch built buildings, trestle building, etc.....anything with wood.

It is $19.74 on Amazon, but if all you would use it for would be for the ties, any small saw would do. It would easily cut through the 1/4" pine. I scratch build a lot of my buildings, so this tool was worth the price I spent.

Rick

Rick,

Thanks for the info and great tip on the tool. Yes, I can see multiple uses of it.  And it omits the need to cut small pieces with a huge rotating blade. FYI, I will join my son today to check on this wound from an incident from clearing out debris from the blade of a table saw that was turned off, but still rotating.  Cost him 20 stitches.  Fortunately just surface wound, but could have been REALLY worse. 

Outside of the tool, your method of creating the ties is much how I have done this in the past...including cutting them to 2 1/4" lengths, not 2 1/2" as I wrote in my earlier post. Yes, it's more work, especially when making hundreds of them, but much cheaper than buying manufactured ones, and keeps me doing what I enjoy in retirement. 

I ordered 4 lengths of the screen molding from HD this morning.  I'll see if I would prefer cutting them 1/2" widths.

Thanks again,

Michael

The Lionel steel ties that I have measure 19/32" which is just shy of 5/8". I think the 3/4" screen moldings will need to be trimmed to get them to the right size so they don't stick out like a sore thumb. Easy to do but it will lose one rounded edge so in come the router table to put it back on. I have ordered some of this molding material as well as some from the Kappler site. This is the strip material that is 24 X 1/4 X 1/2" long. I'll try both and see which one I think is the easiest to work with and looks the best. 

Since were on the subject of ties, what are you folks using to glue the ties to the rails. I have made a jig that I set the ties into, apply hot glue and then set the track section onto it so all ties are glued at once. Using this system I can do a section every two minutes or so. The problem I have had is the hot glue does not want to stick to the track very well. Just wondering if anyone has come up with an alternative.   

Michael,

    I hope your son is okay. Power saws are dangerous even in capable hands. You will find that some of those pine sticks are softer that others. I have had a few of those needing a pretty good squeeze from that tool. I did measure the metal tie, but probably the best thing to do is use the metal tie as the template and cut away. Good luck on your project.

Rick

Michael Pags posted:

I have a few more questions about dimensions of 2 of the suggested wood products:

For Ranger Rick: Is the width of the screen molding 3/4"?

For those using the ties from Kappler Lumber: I am not clear on the dimensions given on the website. Are the strips 24" length? Are any of them 1/4" X 1/2"?  They seem smaller in each of these dimensions.

Thanks,

Michael

If you want 1/4" X 1/2" wood 24" long, Kappler will sell you that in bulk.

http://www.kapplerusa.com/y2k/p-dim-24b.htm

PatternPilot,

      I simply used Gorilla glue or Elmers glue to secure them to the roadbed I put down. It held great and was movable to get the spacing correct. I did not glue them to the track...no need to. I also disagree with your assessment about trimming the molding. It may be that the 3/4 " has been milled to get it close to the width of the metal ties. Again....I have done this and I think you will have a hard time telling which ties are from the pine molding and which ones are the track's metal. I will add a few more pictures to make my point.  (The lengths may be a bit off, but I think it adds to the realism).

Hey Ranger Rick,  Nice clean bench work job there!! 

Tom, 

 Thanks. It was a learn as you went project. 

Michael, 3R Plastics sells the ties through Amazon.  I have purchased a bunch there.  Quick to ship.

Rick,

Those look good. I have ordered a bunch of the molding. It should look just fine.  

Orrin,

Amazon shows out of stock, and don't know when or if will get more. Not sure 3R makes them anymore.

PatternPilot,

I do same as Ranger Rick: Elmer's glue on the roadbed, not track. Tried the latter and does not work. 

MWB,

I'll wait until I get the screen molding then decide if I go with Kappler.

Thanks,

Michael

Oscar,

I did not know that 3R plastics was still selling their ties through Amazon. I thought they had gone out of business. I have a large number of their ties in my present layout. 3R ties are my option of choice. Before that I used Moondog Express ties. They were good also, but I like the 3R products better. They had the molded in wood grain.

  I'd try caulk or similar if gluing to the rails is wanted. Making sure it's paintable, just in case of a little weep.

  For real strength, but removability and minor flexabilty, DAP red can contact cement ... two-three layers on each side, wait as instructed! (And ventilate)..squeeze, and maybe weight it or clamp for an hour(s) for an even better bond. 

I bought a bunch last year when I was rebuilding my layout.  Their location: : 1801 Holian Dr, Spring Grove, IL 60051

• Phone: (815) 675-0844
• They make them in batches.  They are nice people.  Keep watching Amazon and they will show up or contact them.
• They only sell through Amazon, but may be able to tell when they are running some more.  Great product.

Oscar and others,

OK, here's the scoop on 3R Plastic ties:  I called the number you provided and confirmed that b/c these are such a small part of their business they do not make these routinely.  As you noted, they are sold only through Amazon, but Amazon currently has none.  The woman (Sherrie?) was kind and said she would look to see if there are any around. Also said she gets calls from about 5 persons (probably from guys on this Forum!) asking for the ties.  Said she would call me back with more info. I'll share when I get more info.

Stay tuned...

Michael

Here's the follow up from 3R Plastics:  I received a call back from Diana at 3R Plastics yesterday and she notified me that they will do a run on the O gauge plastic ties real soon, and that these will only be available through Amazon. I said there may be several folks on this forum who might be interested...just in time for the holidays!  If interested, I would check the availability from Amazon in a few weeks.  She also said she found one bag and would allow me to purchase this directly...which I did. Santa came early!

Hope this helps those who are interested.

Michael

I can appreciate the more realistic appearance of adding ties to track but if you want that look would it not be easier to just build with Gargraves or Ross track?

Hi everyone, interesting thread and some great ideas. For O-27, What would be the best fit? 1/8? or 3/16? or even a bit smaller, 3/32? Just want to make sure I get the right height before ordering some supplies?

Michael, I am having trouble locating this company's store on Amazon. Could you please post a link, or if that violates Forum rules, could you email me the information to my email included in my Forum profile?

I realize the ties are not available right now but any info you may have about the Amazon link would be very much appreciated. Thank you,

John