5" Gauge track

[Steve K]

Hi all.

We are looking to extend our 5" gauge garden line over the winter by adding a loop (8' radius curves) and 2 points (1 LH & 1 RH).

I'm trying to work out the best way of building the track - any suggestions, etc. would be gratefully received !!

Also, if anyone has any spare rail, etc. that I could purchase, I'd like to hear from them !!

Happy steaming,
Steve K.

[the_viffer]

I've some 5 inch rails and a bag of sleepers that are up for grabs. If you are flush for cash I've some ready assembled track too. Feel free to make me an offer.

[Steve K]

Hi - can you please lte me know how much rail/how many sleepers you have, also details of thte made up track panels.

Thanks !!

[SteveW]

Steve,

Our club expert did some time on what wood for the sleepers. We've tried exotics like keroin <sp?> but are told that larch is the best for our purpose, actually larch heart wood. We get it rough sawn to 'sleeper' size (don't recall actual dimensions) but something over 5/8" thick x 1-1/4 ish. Then the strips are sawn to size, gauge plus enough both sides (don't scimp this one) and tanalized (whatever that is) to preserve them. The track is then laid on gravel chips for ground level. The bed is on top of one of the weed suppressing garden fabrics. This also stops the chips disappearing down into the mud. Maybe also consider edging the lot with something. If its across the lawn consider making gaps lawn mower friendly.

In the past the alloy track got nailed down using offset head nails available through somewhere like Black Gates. We are currently using the PNP plastic chairs screwed down using screws from ScrewFix. Another route is SSteel screws (ScrewFix) and large-ish washers.

The plastic chairs really look the business and may be worth looking at for high profile track sections.