JB-- why do you think you will need to use clamps on the corners?
All:
My RR is 100% battery + R/C, so there are no conductivity issues. In fact, my transport carrier tracks are saw cuts in the plywood bottom and my storage tracks are 1/4" square wood ‘rails’ nailed to gauge with a brad nailer.
My RR is all raised beds, but the soil is virtually 100% clay. Our weather pattern is extreme dry from late spring to late fall, then very wet (average rainfall >40", with 80-90" maximums) until the next spring. This causes seasonal earth movement which can easily dislodge slip-type joiners. This is exacerbated by the force of trains going around curves. I love RR construction, but really dislike non-prototypical repairs.
I’ve adopted a standard of using Hillman clamps on the outside rail on all curves. I leave the slip joiners on the inside rail. I also add Hillman clamps at any location that I either perceive to be a potential trouble spot or that has actually suffered a joiner failure in operation. I also use Hillman three piece clamps on all 6 rails of every turnout. This makes any future required removal for maintenance painless. Using the Hillman clamps only where needed really cuts the cost while still insuring the track will remain operational.
Happy RRing,
Jerry
Dibs on the Climax!!! MWUHAHAHHAHAHA
Cale you should never have said you were selling anything, the buyers will bug you forever!!
A couple of points for the new ROW, 1) go with elevated if possible, it is easier to maitain and will have fewer problems with weeds and is much easier on the back! 2) Rail clamps as Jerry noted above is an excellent idea, done it myself. I use both types of clamps. 3) Find a ‘water level’ kit at a ‘Big Box Store’ (Lowes or Home Depot or ___) and use that to establish your level main line, unless you have a surveyor friend who will shot the topo and grades for you! 4) For grades I have a metal level 24" and have cut small blocks for 2%, 3%, and 4% grades, makes it much easier to establish and maintain a steady grade.
And no I do not want to buy any Locos or cars!
Paul
Thanks Paul…I have an “instrument” or 2 laying around to use for grade…the plan will be elevated, on the “front” end rear will be existing grade. I haven’t trouble with my Train-Li on AC Couplers-a bump maybe but not a problem.
Matt OV called the Climax first…but it may not go-yet!!!
go vote, not that they’ll listen!
cale
Steve Featherkile said:S, I should have said curves, not corners. I was thinking of roundy-round racing, I guess.
JB-- why do you think you will need to use clamps on the corners?
John Bouck said:OK Steve I'll ask him again, why do you think you will need to use clamps on the curves?Steve Featherkile said:S, I should have said curves, not corners. I was thinking of roundy-round racing, I guess.
JB-- why do you think you will need to use clamps on the corners?
Thanks, Tony, you saved me the trouble… 
Well Cale if there was a ready supply of classic British profile engines and stock available I seriously doubt I would be doing narrow gauge right now, I would have a little piece of 19th century England in my garage, maybe one of these years I’ll get my scratchbuilding skills up to a level where I can attempt a classic Dean Single for example!
(http://www.scalemodelrailways.co.uk/7mm%20GWR%20Dean%20Single%20442%20Web.jpg)
Victor Smith said:
Well Cale if there was a ready supply of classic British profile engines and stock available I seriously doubt I would be doing narrow gauge right now, I would have a little piece of 19th century England in my garage, maybe one of these years I’ll get my scratchbuilding skills up to a level where I can attempt a classic Dean Single for example!(http://www.scalemodelrailways.co.uk/7mm%20GWR%20Dean%20Single%20442%20Web.jpg)
as my kids run into the room “Look dad it’s Emily”
Steve Featherkile said:I dunno why. Someone said I need to. At my age I dunno why I do anything anymore. So, T & S, exactly why do I need clamps on the corners?
Thanks, Tony, you saved me the trouble... :D
jb (I think).
John Bouck said:
… So, T & S, exactly why do I need clamps on the corners? jb (I think).
Doesn’t one use clamps to keep the corners square?
(http://www.rhb-grischun.ca/F-PIX//icon_tc.gif)
Hans-Joerg Mueller said:
John Bouck said:
… So, T & S, exactly why do I need clamps on the corners? jb (I think).
(http://www.rhb-grischun.ca/F-PIX//icon_tc.gif)
Ouch. I felt that one all the way up here in Deer Park!
Cale Nelson said:
Victor Smith said:
Well Cale if there was a ready supply of classic British profile engines and stock available I seriously doubt I would be doing narrow gauge right now, I would have a little piece of 19th century England in my garage, maybe one of these years I’ll get my scratchbuilding skills up to a level where I can attempt a classic Dean Single for example!(http://www.scalemodelrailways.co.uk/7mm%20GWR%20Dean%20Single%20442%20Web.jpg)
as my kids run into the room “Look dad it’s Emily”
Actually Dean is Emily’s older cousin, here’s Emily
(http://www.lner.info/eng/stirling_no1.jpg)
Actually a Stirling Single 