[Dick Friedman]

I'll take a look at the rails. If their are notches for the points, that might be a problem, but by reversing the curved rail, I may be able to just cut new notches. If not, I've got a bunch of Llagas Creek code 250 aluminum rail. I can make new outside rails, and new wing rails for a dozen switches. Tomorrow I start taking the switch apart -- spike by spike by spike.

 

[Dick Friedman]

This afternoon and evening I began rebuilding my LC #4 switches. None of mine have notches, so it was relatively easy to flip the curved rail end for end, and move it to the other side of the switch. Had to reverse the points and the flexible point ends. The frog is the same for either direction.

I've reused about four LC ties to secure the ends of the switches; I'm not sure how to install them on the layout. I'd like them to be removable, so I'm not sure abut gluing the ties to the plywood base. Maybe I'll use my pin nailer, and pin them down, then spike the rail to the nailed down ties.

Any suggestions? Oh, by the way, thanks for the info and support so far.

 

[Dick Friedman]

Good idea, Jim, thanks. I've got some thin plastic and cardboad around and may try that, as I've got power in the rails, and don't want to search for an elusive short circuit. Cardboard would work, as this IS indoors. This has been a pretty simple project so far, getting the gauge correct might be a problem, as I have only a few track gauges, and as I recall, the frog gets in the way of a tight measure.

BTW, reply off line, as I'm sure I'll need some Llagas Creek tie strips before I'm done with this project!

 

[Dick Friedman]

Set Back Central!! I built a jig for setting up the ties, and filled it with scale depth ties to match my LC ties. Then i began spiking the rail to the ties. But the spikes split the ties, and the spikes were too long for the ties; in effect, nailing the ties to the jig. Not Good!!

I wanted to make the switch removable, but I may have to just glue the ties to the plywood base, then spike the track to the ties. It'll be a bear to pull it out, but I'm not sure what else to do.

Before I go to all that trouble, though, I may glue the track to the ties (with contact cement, like the little guys do, and then screw the completed switch to the plywood base.

"Enjoyment with everlasting challenge" is right! Or is it "Everlasting challenge with occasional enjoyment?"

 

[Dick Friedman]

I'm fortunate to have hobby shops nearby! Sunday afternoon I went to one, looking for shorter spikes. Finding none, I bought a small tube of contact cement (Goop?), so I'll try glueing the rail to the ties. Then I may just spike the rail to the ties in a few places to hold everything in place. We'll see. I've got a ton of pix, but so far, my camera is not talking to my computer. It did just a few days ago.

I also bought some stain to make the ties look more lie creosote. I'll test it this afternoon too, and take more pictures.

 

[Dick Friedman]

Outdoors, I do as you have suggested, running a batten under the ties beneath the rails. In addition, outdoors I use ties that are the same depth as the width of the fence board I cut up for ties. The longer ties give more resistance to movement, and the battens tie everything together.

Here, though, I'm stuck with a table top that can't be adjusted. Thanks for your support!

 

[Dick Friedman]

I just uploaded three pix of my project, but I have no idea how to get them into this thread. If you can find them, take a look. I don't even know how to tell you where they are.

 

[Dick Friedman]

Thanks, Steve. I never guessed that there was an alternative to the quick reply. I guess the there's always something to learn!

 

[Dick Friedman]

Glueing the rails to the ties today. Not going too well, as the assembly so far is pretty flimsey. After it's all glued it might be stiffer, and when I get the track down, it will be fixed by the track on either side. Tomorrow I'll finish switch 1 and see how it goes. Now that I know how to upload photos to the thread, I'll attach a picture or two.

 

[Dick Friedman]

Finished all four switches last night. Put them on the yard table, but not connected yet. Here's some pix (I hope). The first shows a test fit. The second, the unrepaired switches.