The Largest Standard-Gauge Scenic Model Railway
I was approached by the 'Gauge 3 Society' with a view of producing injection moulded track parts for their members. Up until now the construction of trackwork has been mainly confined to the laborious method of using white metal chairs pinned to wooden sleepers. I have introduced a small, but now complete range of track parts to enable new and existing members to build trackwork which is both quick to assemble, has a great aesthetic appearance yet being long lasting in the great outdoors. I have introduced gauge widened sleeper units to enable freer running and use where space is confined. All moulded parts are available from the Gauge 3 Society at the same cost.
I expect to see an increase of exhibition, and more scale looking layouts in the future in this up and coming scale. For membership of the Society, please visit "The Gauge 3 Society"
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STAINLESS STEEL RAIL
The best thing I ever did in 'Gauge 1'
was to introduce the code 180 stainless Steel rail, now I have done
the same for 'Gauge 3'. The new rail is code 250 bullhead which
matches the existing brass section. With an overall size of 6.35mm (250
thou) x 3.15mm (123 thou), a head height of 2mm and foot height of 1.4mm,
and root thickness of 1.25mm. It fits my moulded sleeper unit
and the G3 Association White Metal Chairs. A maximum flange depth
of 3mm (without wheel coning) can be used. This section is drawn
exclusively for me in stainless steel and has a greatly improved appearance.
It also has some great advantages over brass, being harder wearing,
which is very useful where rail wear could be a problem such as portable
exhibition tracks. It has approximately 30% less expansion and
contraction than brass, so a smaller gap can be used at the fishplates
and there is less risk of buckling in the summer heat. It is conductive
for those who use 2 rail or stud contact. Better loco grip being
steel on steel, and has a better appearance with a slight surface rusting
effect after some time outside. Keeps cleaner and even sounds
better! Paint will adhere better to steel than brass. The
only slight disadvantage is that it is slightly harder to cut (about
the same as mild steel) and you can silver soldered and soft solder,
but you will need a special flux to soft solder. A surface rusting
fluid is now available as well.
For those modellers who are looking for the best looking track
at an unbeatable price
There is no choice; once you see it, it has to be -
'STAINLESS STEEL RAIL'
THE FINEST CODE 250 STAINLESS STEEL TRACK IN GAUGE 3
JUST BECAME THE LONGEST IN GAUGE 3!
NOW AVAILABLE IN 2 YARD LENGTHS FOR BEUTIFUL SWEEPING CURVES
SLEEPER UNIT
A single sleeper with wood grain effect to the top surface has 2 pre-moulded chairs on the sleeper, together with 2 pre-moulded spacer bars. 28 are required to make a yard of track. The 'Running Chair' is a standard Midland 4 bolt "S1" design which has been CAD designed by 'Len Newman' of 'EXACTOSCALE'. The 1 in 20 degree rail inclination is included in the chair design to give smoother running. 2 blind fixing guide holes are provided underneath spaced 10mm from each end. A central Stud Contact blind hole is also provided. Sleepers are 114.75mm long x 11.25mm wide x 6 mm high. The Spacer Bars are 20.75mm long. Maximum flange depth (without any wheel coning) is 2.55mm. The finished track height is 14.75mm from the bottom of the sleeper to the top of the rail.
The basic unit is finely detailed to give a great appearance in long life dark chocolate brown Polypropylene with a standard track gauge of 63.5mm, and includes Ultra violet stabilization in the plastic.
Also available 'Gauge widened' to 64.5mm, the 1mm extra makes these ideal for tight radiuses and will also make for freer running with long wheel based loco's. Ultra violet stabilization is included in the plastic for many years of maintenance free running. The ABS is solvent weldable for multi gauge track & for use with the Super Elevation Wedges.
TURNOUT SLEEPER
A single sleeper with wood grain effect to the top surface, with 3 pre-moulded spacer bars, 3 moulded in blind fixing guide holes are provided underneath. Sleepers are 202.5mm long x 13.5mm wide x 6mm high. 13 pre-segmented sections which are 6.75mm apart for easy turnout manufacture. The Spacer Bars are 13.5mm long. Moulded in long life dark chocolate brown A.B.S. with ultra violet stabilization for many years of maintenance free running. The ABS is solvent weldable for multi gauge track and in conjunction with the new A.B.S. chairs.
INDIVIDUAL CHAIRS
Take a close look at
the new individual chairs for turnouts which are now available.
Starting from the left the 'Running Chair' is a standard Midland 4 bolt
"S1" design, the same as on the 'Sleeper Unit'. The Check Chair is a standard B.R. "CC" (4 bolt) design, and has a flange
way width of 3.5mm. The Slide Chair is a standard B.R. "PJ" (4 bolt)
design. And a Bridge Chair to standard B.R. "L1" (4 bolt) design.
They are finely modeled to give a great appearance in brown UV stabilized
ABS. plastic. Solvent weld to the new turnout sleeper unit or double
ABS. sleeper units for multi gauge track, or weld in the separate pin
(shown below) to press into pre-drilled 4 mm holes, for modellers
who prefer wooden sleepers. All the chairs have been CAD
designed by 'Len Newman' of 'EXACTOSCALE'. The 1 in 20 degree rail
inclination is included in the chair design to give smoother running.
NEW
TURNOUT KITS IN 3000mm, 4500mm & 6000mm - Left Hand, Right Hand or "Y"
Kit includes ready cut Sleeper units, Running, Slide, Check & Bridge Chairs. Full building instructions. Rail, plan & weld glue required to complete, plus optional Blade Unit.
READY MADE TURNOUTS
Made to the highest standard in A.B.S. plastic parts with code 250 stainless steel rail. Complete with the new lost wax nickel silver tiebar, fitting instructions, and spare gauge widened ABS sleeper unit.
Available in:-
3000mm (9' 10") radius - L.H. R.H or Y
4500mm (14' 9") radius - L.H. R.H or Y
6000mm (19' 8") radius - L.H. R.H or Y
4500mm radius is 36¼" (920mm)
6000mm radius is 43¼" (1100mm)
4500mm "Y" is 29¼" (742mm)
MACHINED BLADES
This is a set of machined blades for turnout construction, 320mm long (12½") they are suitable for any turnout up to 6000mm (19' 8"). They come with 2 x 20.25mm A.S.A. plastic fishplates.
LOST WAX TIEBAR
This is a nice scale lost wax tiebar available in brass and nickel silver.
LOST WAX POINT LEVER
Point lever kit with 6 & 8mm throw.
Available in Brass or Nickel Silver.
(Also suitable for G1)
ROBUST LOST WAX BLADE UNIT FOR 4500mm TURNOUTS
This will make turnout construction allot easier. Available for the 4500mm (14' 9") turnout. Available in brass or nickel silver.
TRACK PLAN
A 4500mm (14' 9") L.H. or R.H. CAD drawn track plan.
FISHPLATES
Injection moulded Fishplates. These are the deep skirted type with bolt head detail on both sides. 20.25mm long.
These are available in different materials depending on your application and preference:-
| A.S.A. | 'Acrylate Styrene Acrylonitrile'. Best general purpose material which is very UV light stable, stiff with some flexing and does not snap. Moulded in charcoal black. My first choice for most applications. |
| Polypropylene |
A well known material which would be useful for those wanting to retrospective fit after the track is in situ, as these can be sprung onto the rail. Moulded in U.V. stabilized dark chocolate brown. |
| A.B.S. | These are stiffer but could break. Moulded in dark brown U.V. stabilized dark chocolate brown. |
| Glass filled nylon | Very tough but could break. Some loss of detail. Moulded in charcoal black. |
LOST WAX FISHPLATES
These are ideal where electrical contuctivity is required or on base board ends. They are supplied slightly opened for ease of assemble and you crimp up using pliers to the required tightness.
Supplied in packs of 10 (5 only shown in picture)
Available in brass or nickel silver.
TRACK GAUGE
Track gauge in laser cut 3mm aluminium. With 63.5mm one side and 64.5mm gauge widened on the other, rail setting gauge one end and frog depth gauge the other. Supplied with a reference card.
NEW TRACK RULE
Track rule to make the laying of perfect straight track, in laser cut 3mm aluminium. 63.5mm wide x 915mm long (1 yard).
NEW TRACK RADIUSES
Track radiuses to make the laying of perfect curved track, in laser cut 3mm aluminium. 63.5mm wide x 800mm long.
Available in 3000mm (9' 10"), 4500mm (14' 9") & 6000mm (19' 8")
NEW LAMP POST
A working lamp post suitable for Gauge 3. Standing 163mm high plus a 26mm threaded fixing base with nut. The gain of wheat bulb is removable. Supply voltage 9 - 12 volt.
STAINLESS STEEL FLUX
5ml pot of special stainless steel flux, that makes the tin/lead soft soldering of Machine Blades, Frogs or Tiebars a doddle. Comes with neutralizer powder. Enough for more than 10 turnouts.
ABSOL WELD GLUE
50ml pot of "Absol" weld glue for welding A.B.S. plastic parts. Contains:- Methyl Ethyl Ketone.
Also available in a Thixotropic thicker form for turnout construction. With dropper type cap.
OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST
There are other items of mine which may be of use to the Gauge 3 modeller, please check out Gauge 1 Products, these items include:-
- Super elevation wedges in A.B.S. plastic
- Point rod kit
- Track ballast and glue