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For those of you that have seen my layout, you know that I have a dummy 3rd rail made strictly of Plastruct parts.  Those rails in existence are getting old and flimsy and will need to be replaced soon.  I have come up with a new design that is both more realistic and sturdier using a combination of Plastruct, ABS, sheet metal screws, and staples.

First, to compensate for the elevation of Atlas track I stack 2 "1/8 inch" pieces of cut ABS.  Next I screw into the ABS #4 x 1/2 flat head sheet metal screws to act as the 3rd rail chairs each spaced by the length of 5 ties of Atlas track.  The screws will screw both the stack and a "3/4 inch" piece of .187 x .040 styrene which act as a simulation of the longer tie (every 5th one) used to support the 3rd rail.  Next glue a 6mm x 1/4 inch heavy duty T50 staple (Home Depot) onto the styrene right next to each screw.  If there is not enough space to glue the staple, cut a small piece of styrene to support it.  The staple acts as the support for the protection board.  Now lay your 3rd rail down on top of the flat head screw and glue.   The rail is "3/32 inch" Plastruct H-beams.  Next glue your protection board to the top of the standing staple using .187 x .040 styrene.

Use Gorilla super glue and perform each task separately allowing the glue to cure for a few hours.  For curved track you must cut individual pieces to get the curve and possibly use 2 staples for supporting the curvature of the protection board.  A single screw should support 2 ends of the rail itself.

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Last edited by Joe P
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Thanks for that post Joe, i always liked the detail of that third rail and now that you have embarked on the second generation model 3rd rail and have ironed out any issues with the modeling aspect! now if we could set in a flashing LED near a switch to simulate arching , we will be set! wouldn't it be cool if a speaker was placed on a curve hidden of course that came on when a train passes over it with a curve track wheel squeal effect comes on and turns off when the train is gone, just thinking out loud! This is what happens when you do cool post like this, thanks, Gman.

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OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

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