N scale Wood Timber Tie Strips for Code 55 Rail

[ednadolski]

Posting this for input/feedback, as I have not yet printed it myself.  This is 9' 7x9 timber ties on 19.5" centers with tieplate detail, sized for Code 55 rail.  I did not include wood grain detail as that makes the files so large that Sketchup cannot handle it.  (It should be easy enough to scratch some in, with a fine saw blade or similar tool.)   I intentionally set the rail base rather low, so that it would (hopefully) make the oversize height of the Code 55 rail less apparent.

Image below, I could not attach the .stl file as trying to post it gives me some kind of limit error (IDK exactly what, the .stl file size is 1.6MB, tho it says the limit is supposed to be 5MB).  Anyways, please PM if you would like the .stl and I can send it over email.



Thanks for looking, all thoughts/comments highly appreciated. 

Ed

[Curtis Kyger]

9' length crossties were used by ATSF, CP and UP on the mainline. (UP also used 6x8-8' and 7x9-8' in yards industrial tracks and in some sidings).  Most other roads used 8' 6". FYI

[wazzou]

9' length crossties were used by ATSF, CP and UP on the mainline. (UP also used 6x8-8' and 7x9-8' in yards industrial tracks and in some sidings).  Most other roads used 8' 6". FYI

How in the World would you know?   

[robert3985]

Since I'm modeling UP mainlines in the Transition Era, the 9' tie length is perfect for my use.  Thanks! 

However, it appears that the most common wooden tie length now for modern UP mainlines is 8' 6" with some exceptions requiring 9' and 10' tie lengths. Since I model 1947 thru 1956, I didn't know this until I did a little research today.

Here is a bit of documentation that you may not have that will greatly aid in designing tie strips with various sizes of ties and various spacing depending on track usage...also spike patterns, spikehead size, and tieplate dimensions...all for UP trackage.

Photo (1) - Tie sizes and spacing for various types of track usage - Transition Era and maybe later before welded rail:


Modern tie spacing I'm sure is different for welded rail.

Photo (2) - Spike patterns for tieplates on UP trackage - Modern:


Photo (3) - Spike dimensions (if you don't already have this info):


Tie plate sizes are much larger for modern trackage than in the 1940's and 1950's.  Tie plates for 130-131 lb RE rail in the 1930's were 12" long with only 4 spike holes

Photo (4) - Tie Plate (1930) 130-131 lb RE rail w/6" base - Transition Era:


Modern 6 hole and 8 hole tie plates are 14 and 16 inches long for rail that has a 6" base...interestingly no rail weight is specified.

Photo (5) - Tie Plate 8 hole 14" Modern:


Photo (6) - Tie Plate 6 hole 16" Modern:


Photo (7) - This one's for you Ed.  A modern SP tie plate:


Maybe some of these will be informative for you.

If you're doing modern trackage...here's a link to "Engineering - Track Standards" for present-day UP.  Lots more available at this site: https://www.up.com/emp/engineering/apps/archives/standards/public/index.cfm

Have fun!

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[ednadolski]

Thanks @robert3985 that is a wealth of info!   There are some things that I found necessary to compromise on, such as the 1:40 canting and the "Detail A" curved profile on the tieplates.  The software generates too many meshes, and the level of detail is not visible in N scale anyway.

The tie length can of course easily be made to anything. I went with 9' in this case because (a) that is the length for some of the ties in a separate turnout drawing that I am working on; and (b) to compensate for the appearance of the tieplates, which must be made wider to allow for the Code 55 rail base being ~2.5 scale inches wider than prototype rail.  For example, a 14" long prototype tieplate must be drawn at 16.5 scale inches for a model with C55 rail. (Code 40 rail base is much closer to prototype rail base width.)

The tieplates are also a bit thicker than the prototype, again to enhance visibility.

Ed

[Sokramiketes]

The tie length can of course easily be made to anything. I went with 9' in this case because (a) that is the length for some of the ties in a separate turnout drawing that I am working on; and (b) to compensate for the appearance of the tieplates, which must be made wider to allow for the Code 55 rail base being ~2.5 scale inches wider than prototype rail.  For example, a 14" long prototype tieplate must be drawn at 16.5 scale inches for a model with C55 rail. (Code 40 rail base is much closer to prototype rail base width.)

The tieplates are also a bit thicker than the prototype, again to enhance visibility.

Ed

This is important!  It almost doesn't matter what the overall length of the ties are.  What matters in appearance, is how much sticks out past the rail.  Because oversize rail.  Good catch. 

[timwatson]

Heya @ednadolski welcome to the track printing club!! Do you want to use some of my wood grain? I know you have access to the grain files I made just checking.
In case you need them again they're here.
https://www.printables.com/model/455319-various-wood-grain-3d-textures



Also in supporting the ties try this for the bottom supports. I was using many very thin supports (like you here) previously and some of the layers would pull off them so I used a medium support like so.


It looks great keep up the good work!

[ednadolski]

Thanks @timwatson, might I ask, what CAD programs are you using?  I've found that the wood grain meshes will bring SketchUp to its knees -- whatever algorithms it uses evidently do not scale well to large numbers of objects.  (Blender seems to handle that better, but generally is is a bear for doing any kind of drawing in it.)

Ed

[timwatson]

Thanks @timwatson, might I ask, what CAD programs are you using?  I've found that the wood grain meshes will bring SketchUp to its knees -- whatever algorithms it uses evidently do not scale well to large numbers of objects.  (Blender seems to handle that better, but generally is is a bear for doing any kind of drawing in it.)

Ed

Sure thing, it is the freebie TINKERCAD!
I generally have started using Shaper3d for precision stuff but TINKERCAD is exceptional at handling detailed meshes. I don’t know how it works so well but you can Boolean it a few times so plan accordingly.

[ednadolski]

Here is my next pass at this, with @timwatson 's grain textures added.  Thanks Tim for sharing these!

I still have not had the chance to actually print this out myself.  One thing I want to try is, to angle the strip back a little bit in Chitubox for printing, so that it does not try to add supports onto the tieplates or spike heads (where they would be annoying to have to remove).

If you look closely, I've tried to vary the individual tie lengths by a scale inch or two.



Ed

[timwatson]

Excited to see your print. If you throw a few random boards with different patterns it will look more real.

[draskouasshat]

9' length crossties were used by ATSF, CP and UP on the mainline. (UP also used 6x8-8' and 7x9-8' in yards industrial tracks and in some sidings).  Most other roads used 8' 6". FYI

this depends on your era more than anything. ATSF was 8' then moved to the 8'6". BNSF now uses "fat" 9's under insulated joints and what not.

Drasko

[ednadolski]

Finally got around to some printing and priming.  For grins, I also did a sample in Z scale with some Code 40 rail.  Besides, 1:220 scale spikes are cool









Ed

[ednadolski]

The above, with some quick ballasting/painting work.









Thanks for looking!

Ed

[Mdrzycimski]

Wow Ed!  That track looks truly amazing.