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I am interested in building insulated sections from tubular track, and wondered if anyone had used “fish paper” available from electrical supply houses or Amazon.  I have found .010 thickness ,and wondered how this thickness compares to the original Lionel insulating cardboard strips. Thanks!

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@bmoran4 posted:

When I was a kid, I would cut up cereal boxes to make insulators. Worked well enough. The goal is to insulate it some how some way. i don't see why fish paper couldn't be used. Whatever is utilized, just take care that the insulating properties remain in place after the crimp is applied.

BMoran, That made me chuckle.  I did the same thing with cereal box board when I was a kid to make track sections with insulated outside rails for our crossing gate.  It works.

1/100 of an inch thick fish paper, sounds thin and seems like it would be very easy for any one of the corners of a track tie tab to accidentally pierce during re-crimping.

Ralph, In working on restoring a Dealer display that had been sitting around in a garage for many years, the curved insolated sections of "O" gauge track, the insolated rail insulators were pretty much toast.  The local train shop sells those cardboard insulators from Lionel.  Very reasonable price for 50, if I remember was $.10 each, so $5.00.  I had in the passed used electrical tape with success but it is much easier to use the insulators and they are the right color.  Also they can be used for "O" and "O27" track.  Just have to remember not to re-crimp the ties to tight.  Check with a Lionel Parts dealer to see if they are still available.

Dave 

Ralph, on Lionel's Dealer Displays they always used the outer rail as the insolated one and soldered a wire to that rail, most were on curves, one or two sections.  On "O" and "O27" postwar track I use track clips on all insolated sections to help keep them in place along with track screws. I also use track clips on track sections that use the 145C contactor and the 153C.  The vibration of the trains can work connections and yes the insolated rails loose in time.  If you are trying to do a traditional layout and use those contactors, plan on adjusting the regularly.  The insolated sections work much better as long as you keep your track and wheels clean, but I still use the track clips to help keep them in place. 

Dave 

I took a different approach and got rid of the insulators and just used wooden ties.

You need: wooden ties, insulation pins (for when you are done), white glue and short heavy object (a 1951 UP Alco A unit is fine).

1st, deconstruct the track. Then, lay out the rails and ties. Add the white glue. Then,  anchor it to 2 pieces of tinplate track to keep it straigh. Lastly, aapply the weight (the UP Alco). Then place the insulating pins. You have made a piece of Gargraves.....

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I did this a long time ago.......my son is now 29 and I look a little different....this was probably the late 90s....maybe 1997.....

Peter

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Peter

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Last edited by Putnam Division

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