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After months of preparatory work on baseboards, electrics, and laying old code 100 in storage sidings, I recently started track laying in earnest using peco code 75 on the scenic part of the layout. At one place I needed to make a semi-permanent rail joint, i.e. one which will normally be left joined but will be separated if I need to take apart the layout modules. I know that there are other, possibly better ways of doing it, but this is my way.
I wanted the joiner to be able to slide along the rail so that the board could be moved either forwards or vertically with no chance of the joiner catching. With a full length joiner this would have meant too many sleepers having no grip on the rail so I cut one in half to make two short connectors for this place. It worked perfectly and made a good physical join and a good electrical join, although I am not going to rely on that as I have droppers to a bus wire.
I soon found that most ordinary places where rail joined would need two cosmetic sleepers with a full length joiner and I didn't like that, so I put half length ones in again. I am now doing this all over the layout. I now think that the joiners are longer than they need to be as made. Maybe half length is a bit too short and nearer two thirds would be best. Does anyone agree?
Cheers, Robert?
I wanted the joiner to be able to slide along the rail so that the board could be moved either forwards or vertically with no chance of the joiner catching. With a full length joiner this would have meant too many sleepers having no grip on the rail so I cut one in half to make two short connectors for this place. It worked perfectly and made a good physical join and a good electrical join, although I am not going to rely on that as I have droppers to a bus wire.
I soon found that most ordinary places where rail joined would need two cosmetic sleepers with a full length joiner and I didn't like that, so I put half length ones in again. I am now doing this all over the layout. I now think that the joiners are longer than they need to be as made. Maybe half length is a bit too short and nearer two thirds would be best. Does anyone agree?
Cheers, Robert?