Narrow Gauge Track with Stock Parts

[jtlan]

Here's some narrow gauge track I've been working on as research for a LUG project. None of these models use 3rd-party parts, which will be a big help at a show when someone asks "Is this all Lego?"

First, some straight track:

The track on the left uses the straight rail piece, whereas the one on the right uses ordinary tiles held in clips. The gauge is very slightly smaller (20.8mm vs 21.33mm), but trains still run smoothly on it. Incidentally: the rail, the 1x4x1 fence, and the 1x4x2 fence have a rare dimension of 1/3 of a stud.

I used the tile-in-clips technique to make an adapter rail for the narrow gauge curves:

There are 4 studs of lead-in, of which 1 stud is taken up by the tabs on the curve track. A 1x1x1 panel takes up part of the gap on the outer rail; without it, wheels can drop into the gap and derail.

Of course I ballasted a curve...

... and combined two curves into a module:

 

The 4-stud lead-in gives the track an effective radius of 28 studs (centerline). This works out nicely for having a narrow-gauge track take up the outermost 8 studs on a MILS module.

And finally, a major breakthrough: A reliable brick-built switch that does not use third party parts, and does not stress any parts!

This reliably switches trains between two tracks 8 studs apart. Trains returning from the diverging tracks will "flip" the point instead of derailing, meaning it's possible make a reversing loop.

Next up: Ballasting the switch and building locomotives!

[Shiva]

Nice.

32028 and 4510 could be options too?

 

[zephyr1934]

This trackwork looks great.

Maybe 15 years ago someone else came up with a similar switch design. The photos are no longer available, but there's still a detailed video here.

[jtlan]

On 8/20/2022 at 7:09 AM, Shiva said:

Nice.

32028 and 4510 could be options too?

 

I considered those, particularly as they look like rails. The needed spacing is a bit odd (brick and 4 plates between), so clips-in-tile is easier and more compact.

On 8/20/2022 at 8:31 AM, zephyr1934 said:

This trackwork looks great.

Maybe 15 years ago someone else came up with a similar switch design. The photos are no longer available, but there's still a detailed video here.

Thanks. The video doesn't play consistently for me, but there's some interesting techniques in there with the flat hinge.

[Man with a hat]

Quite clever, especially the switch. Interesting to see the ballasting and then trains running on it.