Z-Logging track for Nn30 idea

[up1950s]

Suppose there was a 3 piece overlay produced to change the tie spacing look of standard Z track . A center section and a pair of outside the rails section would not only reduce the perceived rail height but ( with weathering and dirt ) make the track look proper for logging , mining , and industrial settings . Saw cuts would allow flexing for curves . The OEM track would maintain gauge , and ease of installing . This would just be a thin shell over the OEM track . Perhaps a Shapeways thing maybe 6 inches long ( 1 center and 2 edge pieces ) sold on packs of 10 sets of 3 .

[nkalanaga]

It could be done, although you'd get Nn3/Nm/Nn3.5 rather than Nn30.  But, if you're going to that much trouble, why not just print tie strips?  You could get the same effect by sliding the ties over the rail base, rather than using molded spikes, more-or-less the way Peco uses code 80 rail for C55.  You wouldn't have a visible rail base, but you wouldn't with your overlay either, and scale size spike heads could be printed onto the ties if desired.

Design it to use ME code 55 rail and it would also be cheaper than buying Peco track

If you can print the spike heads small enough, you could use code 40 rail, and have the rail on top of the ties.  That would probably sell quite well.

For many uses, the Peco Z ties aren't that bad.  I just measured a piece, and the ties are, to the best of my ability with a common ruler, 8 inches wide, 6 ft 4 in long, and spaced 25 inches center-to-center, well within narrow gauge standards.

[up1950s]

Thanks , I was thinking Z was half of N . What a dope . 

[Chris333]

Got train on the brain! 

[Mark W]

... But, if you're going to that much trouble, why not just print tie strips? ...

...If you can print the spike heads small enough, you could use code 40 rail, and have the rail on top of the ties.  That would probably sell quite well....

Yep, instead of an overlay, might as well print the whole tie-strip.  Doable, but very fragile and very expensive.  Though, printing the whole tie-strip is probably cheaper than buying Atlas Z Flex and printing an overlay strip, and you could make it the correct gauge.

Here's my 3D printed  C40 Z Scale flex


https://i.imgur.com/AkxWvyh.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/oVD5B7f.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/W1T7oj1.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/fCVNPHN.jpg

[nkalanaga]

Code 40 Nn3 would be the same as code 40 Z, except for fewer, but larger, ties.  So, it should be about the same price.  And since yours is a proven product, all it would take is a new "image file", or whatever the term is.

Unless one really wants a specific gauge, I'd stick with the Z gauge.  Anything else would probably be a total scratchbuilding project, and at that point, one might as well hand lay the track..

[up1950s]

Geez I got my first sections of Z track today . It is a lot bigger than I thought it would be gauge wise compared to N . One would be challenged to try to make a section of N/Z duel gauge track . The good thing is you don't need to shrink the width of N scale shells to make them look ok , and in some instances not at all . As far as tie looks , I guess if one clipped out every other tie it would look much better as if narrow it was to represent narrow gauge in N . 

[nkalanaga]

"One would be challenged to try to make a section of N/Z duel gauge track ."

[narrowminded]

I guess if one clipped out every other tie it would look much better as if narrow it was to represent narrow gauge in N .

It's been done.  

[up1950s]

That's some fancy trackwork , almost looks like a guard rail .

[nkalanaga]

It does, in the bridge guard rail sense.  There's just enough room to fit a standard turnout guardrail between the standard and narrow gauge running rails with ME code 55 rail.  Code 4 is a lot easier, but my mainline is all code 55.  The spur in the far lower left, and the rear track and spur to the upper right, are code 40.  The second track from the top is also code 55, and is the interchange track for my mining company, as well as a yard and industrial lead.

True Nn3 would be easier to lay, as the gauge is 1/32 inch narrower.  But I'm not about to scratchbuild locomotives!

MR, back in the 60s (50s?) had an article on laying dual gauge turnouts titled "Basket Weaving in Nickel Silver".  The author was working in HO.  I wonder what he would have though of N?

[robert3985]

Suppose there was a 3 piece overlay produced to change the tie spacing look of standard Z track . A center section and a pair of outside the rails section would not only reduce the perceived rail height but ( with weathering and dirt ) make the track look proper for logging , mining , and industrial settings . Saw cuts would allow flexing for curves . The OEM track would maintain gauge , and ease of installing . This would just be a thin shell over the OEM track . Perhaps a Shapeways thing maybe 6 inches long ( 1 center and 2 edge pieces ) sold on packs of 10 sets of 3 .

Although this topic has been inactive for a while, I thought I'd show some products that might just what yer lookin' for.

These products are for Nn3 track, but would probably look OK for Z scale industrial and/or light duty track since the tie spacing is markedly wider than Z-scale track.

And, for Nn3, they would look much more appropriate than Z scale track.

Photo (1) - Here are Nn3 C40 ties designed by my friend Roy Stevens who owns Ryd Trains at Shapeways:


Photo (2) - Some Nn3 C40 Stub Switch ties, four left and four right:


Photo (3) - Nn3 C40 #6 ties, four left and four right:


Here's the link: https://www.shapeways.com/shops/rtrains

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[nkalanaga]

They look nice, and the price isn't bad, either.

[randgust]

Wow....

Just to be clear...what's the gauge on those tie strips?  Z or true Nn3?

I've stuck my toe in with the Whitcomb 65-ton Nn3 version using the Aztek mechanism, and the Rohukan critter for Z is the breakthrough I've been looking for for a VERY inexpensive Z chassis to derive more kit efforts from.    I should have an operating prototype of my Nn3 Class A Climax here shortly.    Looking at track though...ugh.   I want proper tie size and spacing.   It's OK to test using Z track, but for an actual model something else is needed.   And I'm still not entirely sold on the cost of the various handlaying gauges.

I'm not doing much myself, maybe just an N/Nn3 T-trak module based on the McCabe lumber mill at West Hickory, PA that had a single Class A narrow gauge Climax to a very small mill.   That would be enough for a start  - no more than about four feet of Nn3 track, so a Shapeways tie print looks pretty appealing here if it isn't so brittle it won't take any abuse at all.

[robert3985]

Wow....

Just to be clear...what's the gauge on those tie strips?  Z or true Nn3?

I've stuck my toe in with the Whitcomb 65-ton Nn3 version using the Aztek mechanism, and the Rohukan critter for Z is the breakthrough I've been looking for for a VERY inexpensive Z chassis to derive more kit efforts from.    I should have an operating prototype of my Nn3 Class A Climax here shortly.    Looking at track though...ugh.   I want proper tie size and spacing.   It's OK to test using Z track, but for an actual model something else is needed.   And I'm still not entirely sold on the cost of the various handlaying gauges.

I'm not doing much myself, maybe just an N/Nn3 T-trak module based on the McCabe lumber mill at West Hickory, PA that had a single Class A narrow gauge Climax to a very small mill.   That would be enough for a start  - no more than about four feet of Nn3 track, so a Shapeways tie print looks pretty appealing here if it isn't so brittle it won't take any abuse at all.

These were designed by Roy Stevens who also models Nn3.  Seeing his work in person, he's not modifying his Nn3 wheelsets to be "actual" 3' N-scale gauge, but keeping the commonly accepted Z-gauge (6.5mm) between railheads, which is 3.412' or 3' 4.944" ...4.944" wider than "true" 3 foot narrow gauge in N-scale, AND, Roy likes to make a buck, so he'd be severely limiting his profits from these if they were "true" Nn3.

So, Z-gauge...Not "true" Nn3.

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore