New N scale Tie System from Central Valley Model Works

[reinhardtjh]

In stock at MBK
http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Central-Valley-N-3001-6-C-55-Mainline-Ties-6-p/cvm-3001-6.htm
http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Central-Valley-N-3001-C-55-Mainline-Ties-50-p/cvm-3001.htm

Sold out at MBK. Never mind.  Note, read the whole thread before posting.   

[wcfn100]

I don't get it.  What's the benefit over just using commercial flex track?

From the conversations I remember about the HO stuff, a lot of people like being able to lay the ties and then ballast before the rail goes down.

I can also see it being much easier to locate at attach feeders, especially if you are wanting to solder to the bottom of the rail.

Jason

[sirenwerks]

I don't get it.  What's the benefit over just using commercial flex track?

Painting/weathering ties and rail separately.

[svedblen]

I have used to HO stuff. And I liked it. Not that the detailing is any better than for flex track, but if you actually like hand-laying track, but don't mind skipping the tie laying part, then this system is something for you. Easy to use and great result.

Here are som pictures from the layout in question:

http://threeyardsyard.blogspot.se/2012/05/all-code-70-track-in-place.html
http://threeyardsyard.blogspot.se/2012/10/painting-track.html
http://threeyardsyard.blogspot.se/2013/03/keep-on-ballasting.html

The rails are glued to the tie strips. I used PlioBond for this. So no "plastic spikes" to keep things in place.  At least not for the HO version.

[CNR5529]

Good to know. I love the look of the rail floating above the ballast between ties!

[arbomambo]

From the conversations I remember about the HO stuff, a lot of people like being able to lay the ties and then ballast before the rail goes down.

I can also see it being much easier to locate at attach feeders, especially if you are wanting to solder to the bottom of the rail.

Jason

These were my same thoughts...no more melted ties, tie replacement, etc.
I am REALLY considering grabbing these and replacing the Atlas code 55 flex on the Kingman Canyon layout...
Bruce

[Catt]

I wonder if the ATLAS code 55 rail would work in these tie strips.

[peteski]

Not trying to be negative about this exciting development, but if they will only consider making C40 version if C55 version sells well, they probably won't make the C40 version.  I suspect that there is only a  small group of N scale modelers that will utilize this on their layouts. I suspect that most modelers will just stick with C55 flex track.  So, if they don't sell enough C55 Tie system, the C40 will never happen. Maybe they should have initially offered the C40 version.  That would have been a more of a specialty item which might have sold better than the C55 version.

[Cajonpassfan]

I love the look of the rail floating above the ballast between ties!

This!
...and the ability to paint ties and rail separately.

I still don't fully understand how the rail is installed: glue like good ol' Pliobond? Or are there little clips on every fourth tie that hold the rail down?...won't that create a repetitive visual effect? I agree w/ Peteski on this one, don't see a lot of sales, the advantage over available flex seems relatively minor. I hope im wrong.
Code 40/43 I could see, as a niche product, especially if there were flexible turnout bases, say #5 and 7, available. That's a something we currently don't have access to...
Still, nice to see reputable manufacturers trying to expand in the N scale market. I hope they do well.
Otto K.

[ednadolski]

I'd love to use it with the ME c43 rail but I don't know if the smaller rail base would work.

It should probably work fine with the smaller rail, so long as you use a couple of the ME gauges when gluing the rail into place.  Even for C55 rail it's probably best to use gauges anyways rather than rely on the tolerances of the rails & plastic to assure the correct gauge.

Ed

[wcfn100]

It should probably work fine with the smaller rail, so long as you use a couple of the ME gauges when gluing the rail into place.  Even for C55 rail it's probably best to use gauges anyways rather than rely on the tolerances of the rails & plastic to assure the correct gauge.

Ed

Possibly.  The HO products says it can do c55 'With extra attention to gauging', maybe this would be the same.  It would seem they've already looked at a c40 solution.  If they thought this was a one-size-fits-all, I think they would have said something like that. 

Jason

[wcfn100]

Not trying to be negative about this exciting development, but if they will only consider making C40 version if C55 version sells well, they probably won't make the C40 version.

I don't know what sort of numbers they'll need to consider c40, but I think this will sell very well.

edit:  With that said, I hope those pictures on MBKs site are pre-production and the N scale version doesn't have a random 'short' tie.  The HO version has staggered ties which looks awesome and is one of the reasons I wanted to hand lay my track to get that effect.  I sent an email to see what they say.  Or if someone was able to buy some, maybe they can take some pictures.

Jason

[GaryHinshaw]

I totally appreciate what CVM is trying to do here, and I'm going to buy some of these just to be supportive, even though I have no need for code 55 wood tie track.   (I'll try it with code 40 rail though.)  I would be way more interested in a code 40 version for my industrial track, but even then, as Otto notes, code 40 is never going to take off until there are turnouts available in some form other than hand-laid.  If CVM were to put out fine-scale code 55 and code 40 turnout kits with flexible ties strips, that would be huge.

[GaryHinshaw]

My note to CVMW, FWIW:

I am *very* pleased to see that you have introduced code 55 N scale ties strips to your line of products.  I will be purchasing some to experiment with, though I note that MB Klein has already sold out of their initial stock. 

But I am writing now to plead with you to expand the line further.  As a modern modeller, I am using concrete tie track for my code 55 mainlines and plan to use code 40 in my industrial areas, thus I would be very pleased to see you produce a concrete tie strip for code 55 and a wood tie strip for code 40.

And I would be 100 times more excited to see you introduce your fine turnout kits in N scale.  We N scalers have suffered a long time with sub-standard turnout options, and I believe your kits would be a game changer in this regard.  There are *no* code 40 turnouts available at all, and the code 55 options are very limited.  I believe a good kit with your fantastic flexible turnout ties would fill a huge void in the market .

Thank you,
Gary Hinshaw
Vancouver BC

[jagged ben]

I don't get it.  What's the benefit over just using commercial flex track?

Aside from possible other benefits, it prices out to $1.08/ft with ME rail, vs $1.50/ft for Atlas C55 flex.