O-Scale .148 Railroad Tie Plates

In terms of tie plates themselves, surely the gauge is immaterial? They would fit the rail whether it's laid to P48 or standard 32mm gauge?

I've cut my own tie plates from thin brown card, & glue them in place with a spot of thin PVA, a few at a time, spiking the rail as I go. They pass muster enough viewing from the usual 3ft or so. Your idea of punching tie plates sounds a very good idea.

Tom,

I sent you an email.

Andre.

SundayShunter posted:

In terms of tie plates themselves, surely the gauge is immaterial? They would fit the rail whether it's laid to P48 or standard 32mm gauge?

I think he means to fit Code 148 rail, as opposed to a gauge measurement.

I recently stumbled on these two sources via a blog I found.  One person focuses on 3d printed switch tie plates now but the other has traditional etched metal plates in multiple codes including 148.

Switch tie plates

Etched metal standard plates

The blog that led me to these is interesting in itself.

KCS Spur blog

Cheers,

Jim

Yes, I gathered it was for Code148 rail, which is why I wondered why P48 was mentioned, as in "All kinds out there for Proto 48." Why does that matter when it's the rail size that's the point of the enquiry?

Ah, I didn't pay attention to that "All kinds" comment when I read the post.  Good point.

Thanks for all the insights.

I placed orders with Northeastern, as they were the closest match to previous R-O-W ties.  Their standard ties are very reasonable.  I also purchased a packet of their switch ties but thought the prices on them were on the high side.  They are all 5' long, so there will be all sorts of waste.  I couldn't find any long lengths in the 7" x 9" size.  If R-0-W doesn't come back I will be cutting my own ties in the future. 

I purchased a packet of Monster tie plates.  I thought the pricing was reasonable for 300 tie plates.  I will have to make my own longer ones for the switches like dual track and frogs.

Andre, I'm still interested in what you have to offer.  This first order will just get me started on my first switch ever.

Now I am making a rail bender from walnut.  I purchased 3 bearings (6mm x 19mm x 6mm) from e-bay for a total cost, including shipping of $6.60.  I will show the results here.

I thought I would make my own insulators from a phenolic short length of rail profile and cut out plastic and brass fishplates with embossed nut/bolt detail, as I have a hand made riveter machine.

So I'm off to build.

Thank you all for your excellent advice...

I couldn't find any long lengths in the 7" x 9" size.  If R-0-W doesn't come back I will be cutting my own ties in the future. 

...

Kappler will cut to order (I get custom cut wood there) and you can probably get a 12" bundle of 50 or a 100 of the 7x9"  if you inquire.  I know I have a bundle of tie stock from there (somewhere....).

Cutting you own is a good way to eliminate all of the scraps of wood in one's shop. I made 3 stops for the band (h, w, l) and ran everything through the saw.  Makes decent ties that are not overly perfect and smooth polished like the commercial ones.  Glue them into place on the roadbed and a 2x4 block with sandpaper stapled to it evens them out.  Stain in place or stain in advance in a coffee or paint can.

Tom Burke posted:

 

Andre, I'm still interested in what you have to offer.  This first order will just get me started on my first switch ever.

 

Thank you all for your excellent advice...

Tom,

Email sent.

Andre.

Right-O'-Way will be back!  You have my word on it.  All inventory has been accounted for and is under locked security.  All they're waiting on is the 120 days requirement in California.

I've seen the packages of ties myself.  As a matter of fact, I'm the one who had to count them.

Jay

Tom Burke posted:

Can anyone advise where to purchase tie plates?  Also Insulated fishplate rail joiners are hard to find.

I am using .148 ME and Atlas.

All kinds out there for Proto 48.

Right-O'-Way is out of business for a while.

Grandt Line doesn't have .148

Also, a lot of the prices appear to be quite high for injection molded plastics.

Nothing on Amazon, e-bay or any of the LHS's I have tried.

Can't wait for R-O-W to resume.

I have seriously been thinking of making a die and punching them out myself.  There is a .020" pressed paper called Fish Paper used as insulation for Antique radio's that would make an excellent product for a  punch press.

Thanks...   Tom

Have you tried Monster Model Works here's there website