Large Scale Central

Aristo stainless track staying guage

Problem Solving
#1

To add to this new catagory, here’s a problem I posted with a brief run earlier this year:

In five places, over a 40 foot stretch of both straight and curve track using the Aristo 8’ stainless rail and Aristo’s slip-on tie strips, the rail has continued to moved inward. Translated: The inside tie “spikes” simply allow the rail to press inward on them enough to move the rail inward. The outcome is most noticeable with USA rolling stock as it literally reaches those points and the wheels climb out over the rails – obviously derailing.

I have had NO, that is zero, problems with the 13 year-old brass track 8’ rail using the LGB plastic ties. Perhaps the brass rail is the reason – or the LGB ties have stronger holding capacity.

REMEDY: To date, I am making thin strips of plastic 1/2" wide strips to fit across from one inside edge of the rail to the other pressing the rail outward to the outer “spikes”. “Toothpick” shims of plastic stuck between the “spikes” and the rail have not worked well.

Other remedies? Other matierial other than plastic – which obiously is not sun proof.

Thanks,
Wendell

#2

Wendell,
I don’t have an answer but a question? What is your roadbed and does the track float,is it anchored at points,etc. I personally have all Aristo brass with long straight runs and no expansion/contraction issues other than one’s I created myself from stupidy. I know there are quite a few guys here with SS rail and this is the first I have seen this issue come up? Wonder if the SS expands/contracts differently.
Dave
:wink:

#3

I have about 200’ of Aristo stainless on the ground. Mine was purchased as 5 Foot straights, dissembled and bent as needed. I did put back as many of the tie-strip screws as I could in the curved sections.

I have, to my knowledge, ever seen this problem.

The inside spikes are indeed small, and when handling track I have pushed the ties off the strip bending these spikes, but I’ve not seen the track go out of gauge.

Could the tie-strip screws be the answer?

#4

I have 450’ of Aristo stainless. Many of my 10’ diameter track has gauge under the minimum as indicated by the Aristo gauge.

The screws hold the gauge, not the lightweight spikes, look carefully, there is a lot of slop between opposing “spikes”.

Regards, Greg

#5

Thanks for the questins.
Roadbed:
The track is laid on level concrete raodbed - more accurately it “rests” on the concrete – as there is no threat to it from walking, etc.
The stainless rail:
8’ lengths threaded with the Aristo ties after being bent for the curves. Note the problem is both in curve sections and on the straight sections. Total problem sections = five.
Problem defined:
Strange, the width of the track narrows only in these five small sections – per a total 30’ section of track-- perhaps four ties are involved at the most in each problem area. Clearly, the outside “spikes” (the built-in ones on the Aristo plastic ties) in those sections have a tiny gap beween the rail and those specific spikes, thus the track narrows. Pushing the rail out by hand can resolve the problem for about 30 seconds. This shows the movement is not great and there is apparently some memory in the rail to keep it in guage for a short moment.

Remedy:
I’ll report the success of the spacers. I am trusting they will not stretch neigboring “spikes” causing the reverse problem of now being too wide.
Sigh…
Thanks for the input. This site will be helpful.

Wendell

#6

Wendall,
I fully understand what your stating and I’m trying to figure a reason for your circumstance. This is one of the reasons I enjoy this hobby so much. I knew Greg had all SS rail,forgot about Jon (sorry) having some SS rail and I know there are a few more out there that perhaps will chime in.
I’m glad these guys are on this, as I’m personally interested in finding you an answer.
So now I ask what type of rail joiners is everyone using, how much sun or shade does your problem section get, are their gaps in your joints, so far everyones track floats so that is ruled out, blah blah blah… these are all valid questions and I’m sorry but this is my nature as an auto mechanic by trade.
:wink:

#7

Mine floats. Most joiners are the ones supplied with the track. Some Hillman’s and Split Jaws where track has been cut to fit and at switches. 60% in shade, 40% in full sun. Slight gaps in most joints. A few BIG gaps because track was a tad short.

I’m pretty sure that Greg’s statement that the tie strip screws hold the gauge is accurate. I put in as many screws as I can even in the curves I bent.

Greg, did your curves go out of gauge over time. or were they wrong from the get-go. I’d suspect the latter.

#8

Yes, the latter, the area in question is (blush) three 90 degree “sets” of 10’ diameter, sitting on concrete, and free to move, not tied down whatsoever. I believe the heating and cooling and expansion has pushed the rails closer together over time. I notice this when I finally went and rebuilt my Northern to accurate back to back gauge, and the loco seemed to tilt from side to side on the track. Imagine my frustration when the Aristo track gauge would no longer fit between the rails, i.e. gauge tighter than the minimum. Sigh.

(http://www.elmassian.com/images/stories/track/inner_loop1.jpg)

Regards, Greg

#9
Jon Radder said:
I'm pretty sure that Greg's statement that the tie strip screws hold the gauge is accurate.
I'm sure the screws do help however I removed all the screws on my Aristo track(brass) so it can float in the ties. I had issues with a section where I didn't remove screws(now this section does get full sun). It must be the SS rail and the way it expands and contracts. I have had no severe gauge issues what so ever??