Bob McCown said:
"… I’m just about out of good ties to ‘fix’ track with (you can see a bunch of questionable track in the back benchwork of this photo).
Hi Bob,
What brand are you replacing them with?
I’ve stockpiled about 400’ of AML 250 brass for my next layout (the ‘One Day’ branch line??). I was just about to order some Llagas/Sunset rail to build switches with but maybe I should be getting track instead and use the AML rail for the switches.
I bought it from 2014 onwards - does anyone know if the got the formula right by then?
Cheers
Neil
(edit for tpyos)
Neil,
I got about 500 feet of replacement ties from AMS ( for code 250 narrow gauge) in 2014 because the originals from 2005 had all gone to crap. We moved in 2015 and I started the new RR in 2016 and put the new ties on the rail and started installation. The ties were all painted before install but the ones out in full sun areas are starting to show signs of UV stress.
Don’t know if this will help answer your question but it sure has me changed over to Llagas Creek and Sunset Valley.
Thanks Rick,
Hmmm, sounds like the ties I have will be suspect as well then. Ah well… (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-frown.gif)
I guess the same Q remains - do Llagas or Sunset (or …?) ties fit AMS code 250 rail. I’m going to end up with quite a bit of rail even after making a bunch of switches up.
Cheers
Neil
Rick Marty said:
Neil,
I got about 500 feet of replacement ties from AMS ( for code 250 narrow gauge) in 2014 because the originals from 2005 had all gone to crap. We moved in 2015 and I started the new RR in 2016 and put the new ties on the rail and started installation. The ties were all painted before install but the ones out in full sun areas are starting to show signs of UV stress.
Don’t know if this will help answer your question but it sure has me changed over to Llagas Creek and Sunset Valley.
I too have some AMS code 250 track and the ties have all disintegrated due to UV exposure. They were only in the garden for about 4 years before they started falling apart, the garden was in Southern Australia with a climate of cold winters and hot summers.
The ties in the shadier parts of the garden lasted longer but those out in the sun just crumbled.
In comparison I have some other no name ties that have discolored through exposure to the garden environment but are still serviceable/usable (in fact I m using them again on my new railway).
I am on the lookout for some code 250 ties but being in Aust any thing I buy comes with a cost of postage that usually exceeds the cost of the item so will probably have resort to making some timber ones unless I sell the rail in the mean time.
I have a very low opinion of AMS products based on the quality of their ties, my advice would be to avoid them like COVID-19
For those who come across this problem in future - Pete from Sunset Valley confirmed SV ties are a direct replacement for the failing AML ones, and has supplied many for this reason.
I’ll be getting a bunch soon. Wooden ties are cheaper but I’m not up to hand spiking the track - way too lazy… (https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)
Cheers
Neil
longlived?
LGB track and switches, electric switchmotors and trafos/controlers:
since 1970 (or was it '69?) first out in the north german wet climate, then in the tropical sun, and now under roof (with teperature differences of 50°C/85°F yearly and about 30°C/55°F daily)
all still near mint - with exception of sections trampled by horses or cattle. After 50 years!
for me a no brainer! LGB made in germany or hungary is the best!
(only parts i have to replace every now and then are the reed contacts.)