Aluminum switch points

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Gra2472
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Joined: Sat Jan 25, 2020 8:02 pm
Location: Monte Rio California

Aluminum switch points

Post by Gra2472 »

Hello all

I have been working on building a loop of track around my house and need to build a couple of switches. The problem that I have is that the rail I have is an older style of aluminum rail, much smaller that the rail commonly available today. Its 7/8" tall with narrow railhead. Its sort of between 1" scale and 1.5" scale rail. I purchased a set of points from Allen Models, to see if it would be close enough to work. Unfortunately, they just won't work. I need to find a way to build some points to match this rail. I know that machining the rail into points will work, but it is definitely ideal. However, my railroad is not a huge club layout for 4-8-4s pulling the evening mail and such. I only run a mogul, and a couple of small electrics.

I wanted to get some ideas and opinions about using aluminum rail for points before I start cutting up rail. Thoughts?


Garrett
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Willow Creek & Orchard Valley Railroad
7.5" Allen Mogul
3 x 7.5" West Valley Baldwin Westinghouse Electrics
The railroad is almost done.
G. Augustus
Monte Rio, Ca.
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ChipsAhoy
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Re: Aluminum switch points

Post by ChipsAhoy »

Under the stock rail, in the switch, perhaps 1/8" tie plates (shims).
tomc
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Re: Aluminum switch points

Post by tomc »

cant u modified the Allen points to work? Some pics would b e nice.

Tom C.
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makinsmoke
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Re: Aluminum switch points

Post by makinsmoke »

Lots of folks make them from steel angle.

Use 3/4” x 3/4” x 1/8” and as someone suggested put shims under it. Make sure the shims go all the way across. You don’t want the angle to fall into a little gap and lower the top.
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Benjamin Maggi
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Re: Aluminum switch points

Post by Benjamin Maggi »

Have you considered stub switches? If you aren't having much run they would probably work fine. Just have a large enough signal target to see at a distance if the points aren't lined up properly.
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Gra2472
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Location: Monte Rio California

Re: Aluminum switch points

Post by Gra2472 »

I have been working trying to the larger points from Allen Models to work, but there just isn’t a good way to do it. Besides being only 7/8” tall, the rail head is too small at 7/16”. It requires lots of complex shimming to get them to line up. I have a stub switch that I built for the engine house lead, it works well, but I am thinking about the eventual oops, when someone forgets that its a stub switch, and the train lands on the ties. I have a bunch of 3/4” angle iron, and I have been mulling over how to use them.

Thanks
7.5" Allen Mogul
3 x 7.5" West Valley Baldwin Westinghouse Electrics
The railroad is almost done.
G. Augustus
Monte Rio, Ca.
Gra2472
Posts: 273
Joined: Sat Jan 25, 2020 8:02 pm
Location: Monte Rio California

Re: Aluminum switch points

Post by Gra2472 »

Here’s a picture of a stub switch in progress. This is was done with much help from a couple good friends from the Sacramento Valley Live Steamers who came up to the river to escape the heat.
7.5" Allen Mogul
3 x 7.5" West Valley Baldwin Westinghouse Electrics
The railroad is almost done.
G. Augustus
Monte Rio, Ca.
Gra2472
Posts: 273
Joined: Sat Jan 25, 2020 8:02 pm
Location: Monte Rio California

Re: Aluminum switch points

Post by Gra2472 »

stub switch 2.jpg
7.5" Allen Mogul
3 x 7.5" West Valley Baldwin Westinghouse Electrics
The railroad is almost done.
G. Augustus
Monte Rio, Ca.
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Dick_Morris
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Re: Aluminum switch points

Post by Dick_Morris »

I don't remember the details, but long ago we had some switches that had a steel insert/wear piece bolted onto the last few inches of the point.

Your small rail may have been what was called "Culp rail."

One problem with a stub switch is that a lack of attention results in running the train onto the ties. Been there, done that.
DRS_RR
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Re: Aluminum switch points

Post by DRS_RR »

there was this article on Discover Live Steam on using angle iron to make points...

https://www.discoverlivesteam.com/magaz ... index.html

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Re: Aluminum switch points

Post by tetramachine »

I have some west coast AL rail 1' tall, 1/2 wide head. Sort of transition piece. PM if interested
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