Railroad ties for old 3 rail track

For my tinplate layout i ripped down some wood strips to the same dimension as the existing 027 ties, laid them out on some cardboard, sprayed them brown.  Wasnt that time consuming.  I think Ross and Gargraves sell their ties in bunches but their dimension wont match the tinplate tie...

I always used 3/4” balsa cut to the length of the ties. I simply placed them under the track without gluing. The ballast held them in place. I never glued them in place cause I always changed things around  or dismantled the layout (Christmas Garden) from year to year.

My dad cut ties from masonite to the size shape of O31 ties when I was a kid.

A quicker way than rippping would be to buy strip wood that is the same width.   Then you just cut to length.   You still have to paint it. 

Lowes and Home Depot sell "trim" wood and probably have somethng that would be an acceptable thickness and width and in 8 ft lengths.

For my O27 height track I use 3/16 thick x 1/2 inch wide balsa, cut to 2 inch lenghts, painted brown to match the metal ties.

2,900 of 'em to date.

For more track tips, go here: https://www.warrenvillerailroa...ular-track-info-tips

Like others, I cut some Oak on the ole table saw  and died or painted em flat black.  Added some ballast around the station, but would probably go with smaller stone next time.

Dennis,   What is the measurements of your ties?

Not cheap but this will cover easy and quick.  On Amazon you can buy these ties which fit perfectly in O27 rail.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/prod...00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

@Wood posted:

Not cheap but this will cover easy and quick.  On Amazon you can buy these ties which fit perfectly in O27 rail.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/prod...00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Three R Plastics used to make these, 250 of them for about 20 bucks, but they don't seem to be available anymore.

@chinatrain99 posted:

Dennis,   What is the measurements of your ties?

I want to say approx 1/2"x 1/4" but the key is they actually fit inside the metal ties as you can see in a couple of my pictures. Length, same as te metal ties as well. You may be able to buy strips of bass wood as well and just cut them to length.  For me using the table saw was practically free.  All the ties came from wood that was scrap, either oak pallets, or left over oak from remodeling in my home.

Here this one kind of shows the ballast I used, again I think I would go a little smaller....  Been thinking of trying the Brennen's ballast on the rest of the layout. As always a work in progress, very slow progress in my case lol.

@CALNNC posted:

Three R Plastics used to make these, 250 of them for about 20 bucks, but they don't seem to be available anymore.

I'd bet they were bought by the supplier linked in the Amazon page above.  I looked at that link and the ties have a big R on that backside so betting they are the same.  $58 bucks now for 250!  But they do look good.  I like the tie plate detail.

Basswood strips, cut to length, stained, slid under the tubular track and spiked. Would have looked better with tie plates. A lot of work if you have a lot of track.

@West Side Joe posted:

Basswood strips, cut to length, stained, slid under the tubular track and spiked. Would have looked better with tie plates. A lot of work if you have a lot of track.

Looks good, who's ballast did you use?  That also looks pretty nice.

Scenic Express O scale ballast.

I found this at Home Depot.  I'm going to cut at 2.25" so I should get 45 per board.   How far apart should they be?   I'm trying to figure out how many ties per 10" piece.

I used three between each metal tie so six per 10" straight.  Really you should set some up with three and then with four and see which you like best.

Dennis.  I'm just trying to guesstimate how many boards I'll need.  Just looking at a rough idea of what I'll need

There used to be a company that made rubber like ties for tinplate track.  They come up for sale on the forum occasionally.  There were some in the last few months.  Do a search on the for sale forum.

10 or 20 years ago I went to a train show and saw a large quantity of nice wood ties just the right size for O Gauge tubular track for sale. Guess I lucked out. They were inexpensive and I was thrilled to buy them.

I would spring for another deal like that in a heart beat because I could use more of them on my layout. Arnold

@CALNNC posted:

Three R Plastics used to make these, 250 of them for about 20 bucks, but they don't seem to be available anymore.

You are correct it was Three R Plastics.  Now it's an Amazon company.  They have a nice look and I just ordered one more bag.  Below are pictures of them with ballast.

You want Cheap?... I got Cheap. Go to a big box store or Lumber yard that sells roll roofing. Look for a damaged roll or pieces. Make a deal for the damaged roll.

I use the gray side up as ballast and then turn it over, it's black and use it for ties. Use a utility knife or a roofer's hook blade knife, cut strips the width of the ties, about 3/4". Then cut your ties. (Tip) always cut from the back of the roof shingle. If you only want ties you can also use regular roof shingles, the top of the shingle is black and sometimes can be bought by the piece.

Oop's I forgot to say that I use 2 pieces of roofing for O Gauge and 1 piece for O27.

@Lionelski posted:

For my O27 height track I use 3/16 thick x 1/2 inch wide balsa, cut to 2 inch lenghts, painted brown to match the metal ties.

2,900 of 'em to date.

For more track tips, go here: https://www.warrenvillerailroa...ular-track-info-tips

I have a similar look with cut & painted cardboard strips. This was done about 45 years ago.

I have a box of these available. Contact me if your interested. Model Hobbies 027 wooden ties. These are probably close to to 45 years old. I did not count them but the box is full. There is probably more than what came in the box originally because I think I had two boxes at one time and this one is packed. Box measures 8-1/4" x 4-1/8" x 2" high.

There is a retirement notice on the Kapplar Mill and Lumber website.   At one time a good source for scale railroad ties, and other dimensional scale lumber.

@chinatrain99 posted:

I know ties would dress up the look of standard 3 rail track.  I'm looking for easy, quick,  and cheap.    I'm also aware of the impossibility of that.  I'm curious what others are doing.  Do most people just cut up 1/4" balsa?   I'm not sure I'd be sane after cutting all those up and gluing them on.  I can't seEm to find anything online that's even close.  I'm looking for ideas here.  Thanks, jeff

Lots of great suggestions here, but it would be helpful if you stated whether you have 0 or 027 track.

John