Talking Turnouts and track maintenance, Part 1

In this two part series, I show how turnouts and tracks are maintained and cleaned on the "Birdwood Sub". I have had many enquiries on how I clean my tracks and achieve smooth running on the layout,so I thought I'd it's time to share some of my tips! Track cleaning is a wildly debated topic in model railroading, and there are many options to choose from,but these are the ones I use to keep the freight rolling on the Birdwood Sub!! Please enjoy!

[@NiceMuslimLady]

I know of a railroad that used to put in switches without the check rails. (They originally had check rails, but someone got the bright idea of saving a few dollars). They had to start putting the check rails back in because they started having a lot of derailments all the time on the switches.

[@SouthBrooklynRR]

As always a great Video!!! The best explanation of a switch I have heard in a long,it was simple,straight forward. I worked for the NYCTA as a Motorman and we have to go to track class and the instructors would give a quick tutorial on track switches, but I learned more with you, than I did with my 31 years at the Transit Authority.

[@FishplateFilms]

Thank you very much William!, I bet you have some stories from your days on the rails!! I've always been interested in turnouts and early in my Signal training, we did a three week course on turnouts, I have forgotten a lot of the terms, but setting one up from scratch is very complicated! Appreciate your kind words,Gregg.

[@iainhughes6637]

I worked on Aussie rail roads and all I can say is I never let my kids travel any distance by train trust me

[@waldenhouse]

I just love how you can ride right up to tracks in Australia and Canada, have a walk-about and get up close. There must be three times round the world fencing in the UK, signs saying "Keep Off the Tracks, Penalty £1000" and the like. You guys always have a "can do" attitude - we have a "can't do" attitude. Great films, thanks for sharing.

[@FishplateFilms]

It does help when you work for the railway..LOL. We also have lots of fences in the city and suburbs, but a bit less in the country. The US amazes me with trains running down the street and mainlines in backyards! It all comes down to litigation I think, protecting people from themselves and no more common sense?? It drives me mad as well ! Glad you enjoy the videos. Cheers Gregg

[@BArailsystem]

Thanks for taking us along with you to work Gregg! Very informative video, I really enjoyed it. I used Walthers/Sinohara "DCC Friendly" turnouts on my layout and they work exactly as you describe. 90% of the time there is no problems, just the little switchers sometimes stall in them when there is more than one turnout in a row. I also agree with you that each brand has pros and cons, none are perfect. Tam Valley Depot frog juicers are one solution, TCS keep alive decoders are another. Looking forward to part 2. Ben

[@FishplateFilms]

My pleasure Ben, glad to have you along! I have dropped wires from all my Peco;s so I can juice them up in the future! Part 2 in a day or two, thanks for the kind comments. Gregg!

[@1TexasAllyn]

Thank You for the demonstration about switches or turnouts, as some call them.Good to see your building a layout, too! Allyn

[@FishplateFilms]

+1TexasAllyn Thanks Allyn! Sometimes working on the layout is harder than the real thing..LOL Gregg :-)

[@tombensberg9309]

Very useful and well done! Thanks!

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Tom!

[@not_tom_from_myspace8090]

Been watching your videos on your layout for a year now and never ran across any videos of you actually working, had no idea!

[@FishplateFilms]

Well there you go Tom! Thanks for watching and I'm glad you enjoy the videos. Cheers Gregg.

[@BronsonTheCat]

Excellent video Gregg. It reminds me of a model train derailments. Nothing worse than having wagons heading south.

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Huggies!. We don't need cars in the dirt! thats for sure, they're a bit harder than HO to put back on >>LOL Cheers Gregg

[@JohnAPrescott]

Very informative vid as always, Gregg. Thanks for sharing. It's helped me a lot.

[@JohnAPrescott]

Another thing I've noticed with the sound units is that the poppet valve or air release(not sure the correct term) are not very realistic. Those things can make you jump in real life. In the model one's they are so muted and low key. You're the CV guru, is there a way to make those louder? You can watch my catch of the IC6201 last night and see what I mean by this. I only mention this because of your speed matching vid and you talked about the loco engine sound. The poppet valves are much louder and just spring out and say HELLO! Loud and aggressive. =) I also did a vid just for you with two BLI SD40-2 and showed the consistency in speed. Anywho, CHEERS!

[@FishplateFilms]

Your welcome John! Happy to help. Cheers Gregg

[@FishplateFilms]

John Prescott John, I'm pretty sure the poppet valve is on the compressor volume setting, when you turn the prime mover sound down, the compressor and related sounds will become louder. Remember your not standing next to the loco, so the volume will not seem as loud, I can hear mine all over the layout ,and I have them turned down quite a bit. If your were 1/87 size, you would jump if you were next to the loco..LOL Cheers Gregg

[@retrainrun]

Is better to get run over by your toy train then the real one LOL! Anyway great video, and what a cool treat to see you at work! On the subject of level turnouts..Gulty as charged. But now that you reminde me I will try to correct them. Again great video Gregg! Cheers RT

[@FishplateFilms]

Too true RT, you don't get a second Chance with the real thing! You may see me actually working one day..LOL. Cheers Gregg

[@jasonharris1291]

Excellent video👍🏻

[@FishplateFilms]

Thank you Jason! Glad you liked it. Cheers Gregg.

[@FTLOT]

Great video, Gregg. Very good info. As always, you get out of it what you put into it! I really appreciate your attention to detail. Tim, FTLOT.

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Tim !, very true indeed, I hope I can do that with scenery..LOL

[@RonPare]

Catching up on your videos. These are great thanks!

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Ron! Glad you like them. Cheers Gregg

[@JenniferCosentino]

Thank you for sharing wonderful vid

[@FishplateFilms]

Jennifer Cosentino Thanks Jennifer! Glad you enjoyed it. Cheers Gregg

[@CarmineRC]

FishplateFilms Fantastic bit of info!! I didn't realise that you are *The Man* when it comes to real railway track maintenance!! I got a lot of great tips. Thanks! Cheers!!

[@FishplateFilms]

Carmine Allocca Glad you liked it Carmine! Cheers Gregg

[@DGModelworks]

They need to go out and get drunk and have a love child!!! LOVE IT, HAHAHAHA That cracked me up! Good video Gregg! Very detailed info. Thanks for sharing! Deryk

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Deryk!, Well ,they do need to I reckon..LOL. Some aspects of model railroads have leaped ahead, but others are still decades behind!. Glad you enjoyed it. Cheers Gregg

[@royreynolds108]

Hello. I am a graduate Civil Engineer with over 20 years of railroad track experience -design, maintenance, construction and inspection in 12 inches to the foot in both standard guage and 3 foot guage. You are right on about turnouts particularly in model form--same grade from just in front of the points to the end of the long ties in a model. Because of the mass in full size a grade change CAN started just past the heel of the frog, but not recommended. Correct track guage should be maintained throughout the turnout. At any rate the CHECK GAGE must be maintained on both sides of the turnout through the frog. It is also very important to keep the outer rail at a minimum of level with the inner rail in a curve. It is preferable to elevate the outer rail to the amount shown in the railroad superelevation table for the desired speed of the degree of curve or the radius. I have seen where full size cars derail when the outer rail is only about 1/2 inch lower than the inner rail of a curve. Models are generally stiffer than the full size. Transitions need to be made very smoothly.

[@FishplateFilms]

+Roy Reynolds Hi Roy, thanks for the info on turnouts, glad I got it right!! I find track and rolling stock far more interesting than signals..LOL I do spend a lot of time laying my turnouts, and as a result have no issues at all with them,...except if I don't throw them and have a run through..LOL Thanks for the extra info! Cheers Gregg

[@sachapriest4371]

Great video and very helpful! thanks heaps Greg!!!

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Sacha! lad you enjoyed it! Cheers Gregg.

[@Le_Comte_de_Monte_Felin]

Another great video, Gregg!

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Dwayne, glad you enjoyed it. Gregg

[@arthurhouston3]

Another interesting video from down under watch out for the trains.

[@CanadianRailRoader]

Great video, very informative!

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks, glad you liked it!

[@rvooyen]

Instructive als always. Thx. ROBERT

[@FishplateFilms]

Thank you Robert! Gregg:-)

[@Ljirao]

Nice explanation👏👏

[@FishplateFilms]

Thank you ! Glad you liked it. Gregg.

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Arthur! Will do, they sneak up on you in the yard! Gregg!

[@FishplateFilms]

Brian UK LOL , I guess I did!

[@1990sRailfan]

Ha! This video intro reminds me of the old Kalmbach video "Building Reliable Model Railroad Track" with Lorell Joiner trackside on a MP transfer caboose talking about track before he heads indoors to build model track.

[@FishplateFilms]

That would be a cool video, I'll have to find it! I had "Track planning for realistic operation" when I was 15, and still refer to it today. Gregg :-).

[@ronb5781]

Great video, thanks.

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Ron!

[@jacjac5761]

MAN I WANT THAT SHIRT!

[@jamesshanks2614]

I don't know if you use them down under but in Europe and I believe Amtrak is starting to use them in the northeast corridor the electrified territory from Washington. D. C. To Boston, Massachusetts. What I'm talking about are powered frogs that still use the guard rail. Big advantage using them is a extremely smooth transfer of the wheel from one rail to the next. Saw my first powered frog in Penn Station NYC back in 76. I've been a rail buff since I was nee high to a grasshopper and took great delight when I'd run into rail fans and they would ask what scale I was into. I'd love the look of confusion on their faces when I'd reply " my scale is 12 inches to the foot " generally I'd get a question a few minutes later 12 inches to the foot? That's the real railroad! Yup I'd say and they pay me to " play " with em too. Retired now locomotive engineer. This video is going to answer a lot of trepidation that a lot of modelers have with switches. Cheers! :-)

[@FishplateFilms]

Hi James, Yes we use a lot of movable frogs or switchable Vee's as we call them down here! They do stop all the frog wear but are a pain in the but for maintenance and for keeping them in tolerance for detection! The big problem is when they are hand switched, you have to make sure to switch the tip end and the frog!! Had a few derailments with people not switching both ends!! Lucky you having that job, if I had 2 good eyes I'd be on the footplate for sure! But I'm sure you don't miss the shift work?? Thanks for watching mate. Cheers Gregg

[@mcresq65]

Cool stuff, Gregg!!!!

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Kevin!

[@liamcooper6721]

im late to the game here but the Micro engineering turnouts (atlas and walthers too) are not dead frogs as you later say. they are cast as one piece to make it easier wiring. they always have track power on the switch rails for fault free running there. (hate peco for that) leaving a small section to be powered as 1 unit which just about all turnout motors (tortes or servo) have the ability to do. this setup if far superior to peco style turnouts. it would be nice if they did add styrene or "flashing" from the tie mold to fill the gaps but the end user can do that with ease anyway. My club only uses peco electrofrogs and it has been nothing but a pain in the ass especially with age. i only use Atlas, Mirco engineering when lazy otherwise i build them with fasttracks and make the frog 1 electrical unit too.

[@FishplateFilms]

Hi Liam, ME turnouts do have "dead frogs" meaning that they are not live and have to be powered. Peco EF turnouts come with switched frogs by the switch rails touching the stock rail.This works well if you keep the rails clean where the switch touches , but can cause issues as you say . Peco give you the option to make them the same as ME or Atlas by jumpers under the turnout, but you must decide before you lay them! Thanks for watching. Gregg

[@CarmineRC]

I had to watch again! Can a guy in the Colonies get a Tillig (sp) turnout?? I love the idea of heelless point rails. The REAL ones don't have 'em!!

[@FishplateFilms]

+Carmine Allocca Yes you can, I get all mine from the "Orient Express" train shop in Adelaide. They are a bit flimsy and you have to be careful laying them, buttons installed, they are very durable...and pretty cool too! Cheers Gregg

[@CarmineRC]

+FishplateFilms I'll have to look that up. Did I get the spelling correct??? I'm kinda big on spelling and grammar... (Grammar Nazi!!) LOL!!!

[@FishplateFilms]

+Carmine Allocca Yes you did Sir! I don't know why Peco or other brands don't make Heelless turnouts? The Tillig are only made in Code 83, just in case you have code 100. You can get transition fishplates from Peco if you need them. Cheers Gregg.

[@CarmineRC]

FishplateFilms That works for me. My layout is code 83! .... now to find them. :O

[@michaeldougfir9807]

Greetings from rural northeastern California. We are in BNSF territory here, so I was glad to see your namesake locomotives. Now for my question, Sir. I have never heard of a turnout before. I take it that a turnout is associated with a switch? Thank you also for explaining those inner rail portions. I had always wondered.

[@FishplateFilms]

+Michael Dougfir Hello Michael, thanks for watching! A Turnout is another name for a switch, they call them "points" in the UK and down here we use both terms. I would love to be in BNSF territory again..LOL Glad you liked the video. Cheers Gregg.

[@dacuzzz]

hey Gregg... i am paying close attention to your vids... there will be a major change to my layout coming soon. i want you to know that i have been checking wheel gauge & found one atlas gp with one axel out of gauge ( too tight) not too bad out of 25 locos.. my issue is definitely the turnouts. i guess the manufacturer didn't follow the 6 "P's"... lol loved the vid & looking forward to the next installment vinny

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Vinny, the left nut's in the post..LOL, the main thing is you found the problem!.I look forward to the update on your Pevine sub, looks like you got the reversing loop bug..LOL. Take care of that hand mate. Cheers Gregg

[@owenkerry9655]

G'day Gregg. I just subscribed after watching your video on turnouts or points as I used to know them as. Found your film informative and amusing at the same time cobber.! Love that you're keeping your identity mate,(Aussie) Keep all the lingo as is so we can understand you and relate at the same time.Obviously a Rodney Rude fan as well hey. I am a rail enthusiast and model lover, but don't have a current layout, but am working on fixing that situation. Keep up the good work and videos mate, cheers. Owen.

[@FishplateFilms]

+owen kerry Thanks for the kind words Owen! I'm glad you enjoy my videos and I was a bit of a Rodney fan back then..LOL Most of my viewers are in the US and Canada, so I have to be a bit Bi-lingual so they can understand me!! Good luck with starting the layout and if you need any advice , let me know. Cheers Gregg

[@markneilson6380]

The 9F 2-10-O are now banned from UK rail network because of the raised checkrails on new turnouts (points, switches).

[@FishplateFilms]

Interesting Mark! I assume the long wheelbase makes the drivers slide across the rails too far when passing through a switch? Thanks for watching.

[@markneilson6380]

@@FishplateFilms The 9F's have a flangless driving wheel and it is this that I believe causes problems.

[@robertmoore2112]

ae we going to see his majesty this christmas

[@FishplateFilms]

Absolutely Robert! Rumour has it he may make an appearance before then?? Cheers Gregg.

[@chrisshoulders4066]

Great video Gregg.I use Walters code 83 turnouts.What do you think about them.

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Chris!, I have never used them mate, so I can't comment, but if your happy with them that's all that counts! Gregg !

[@chrisshoulders4066]

Thanks for your feedback.

[@OCNorton]

Gregg my friend outstanding video as always. Very educational and yes perfect call out to Vinny haha. I do have a question on the micro engineering turnout are the turnouts spring loaded?

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks Okcuse! I was surprised Vinny's problem turned out to be the switches! Goes to show you should never assume..LOL. Yes , the ME turnouts are spring loaded!. Gregg:-)

[@BattleshipOrion]

It is amusing to see BNSF in another part of the world that's not North America, might just be me but why not?

[@FishplateFilms]

Quite a lot of people model BNSF down here! Aussie railroads have a lot in common with US ones , so there is a lot of similar ideas. Cheers. Gregg.

[@disturbed1954]

Awesome video Gregg! What code of track or you using and can you also do one on bridge track? Thanks for sharing!

[@FishplateFilms]

Thanks David!, I'm using code 83 Peco, as for Bridge track, I have never used it!. The small bridge on the layout came with it's own code 83 track . I do love bridges but have very little experience with them so far! Gregg!!

[@OmegaDeus8467]

Hello Gregg, I hope all is well. I'm being to start my shelf layout and looking for information on turnouts. Your video on the topic is very informative. I have a question about the Micro Engineering turnouts, should the spring be removed when installing a servo for the throws of the turnout? I'm using the ESU Servos for that purpose.

[@FishplateFilms]

All is good thank you Sir! If you're using a Tortoise, you will have to remove the spring, but if you use a servo, depending on how you connect the switch and with what wire size you use, it may be ok to leave it in? If the wire is coming up vertical like a Tortoise, I think you will have to remove the spring . Cheers Gregg.

[@jonathanwig80]

Why the ends of check rails are turned outwards? Is it designed like that for the situation where wheel flanges are pushing towards the frog under very high tension because in that situation , I feel that wheel flanges on the side of check rail are hard to catch in between check rail and stock rail. So making that gap slightly wide at the end makes it fairly easy for check rail to catch those flanges and avoid derailing at the other side. Or it has nothing to do with that design ? Please correct me if I am wrong.

[@FishplateFilms]

Your correct Johnathan! The check rails are angled to catch the flange and guide it towards the stock rail, pulling the opposite flange away from the frog. On the divergent path, the flange needs more dragging over, but on the straight path, the flanges are pretty much over far enough. Cheers Gregg

[@jacjac5761]

Hey Rail bro I used your speed table on my enging and I had a problem! CV 29 to 50 shut down my engine! So I set back to the default of 2! Can you explain why?

[@upsd402]

Great video, I am still debating about switching over to Peco. My Atlas are starting to wear out. Once again, Great video, hate to see some drunk switches, they might make a crossover. LOL

[@FishplateFilms]

Thank you sir!, drunkn' switches..LOL sometimes I think they are?? Peco are bullet proof and can be wired in two ways. If they made a spring(heel-less) switch,I'd use them exclusively. Gregg.

[@upsd402]

Question, I am thinking about using curved switches on a 22 radius to connect a inner loop. What are the best curved switches out there to buy?

[@FishplateFilms]

upsd402 . I haven't had a lot to do with curved switches I'm afraid!. The Tillig switch has a nice outer curve but the inner is quite sharp(can't remember the radius) and the Peco is quite broad as well. I would probably not use the Tillig curved switches again due to their tight inner radius, but its over 24 inch I'm sure? Sorry I couldn't be more helpful! Peco would be my choice so far. Cheers Gregg

[@turboteabag08]

I'm thinking of getting into the maintenance part of working the railroad, any advice?

[@FishplateFilms]

Be willing to work shifts and get a bit dirty!! It helps if you have a good mechanical mind as well! If you're in the States, be prepared to work in crappy conditions from time to time,but it is rewarding work if you like seeing the freight roll by! Cheers Gregg

[@arthurhouston3]

What is the actual measurement of gauge Downunder. US is 4'8"

[@FishplateFilms]

Yes Arthur, this is standard gauge, it stops in this yard. The rest of this State is narrow gauge 3'6'. Down south is mostly Standard with Victoria having broad and Standard. Standard Gauge is being rolled out inn more broad gauge areas, but stupid Queensland is staying with narrow gauge!!

[@SidneyPratt]

Thanks.

[@railyatri8891]

Good job mam

[@jamesshanks2614]

I would show this video to your boss with the intent of offering it to be used with new inexperienced people who want a career in track and signals. Could save a lot of grief in training ( no pun intended ) it's better than an animated video trying to do the same thing you so ably show and explain and a new man would be more likely to listen to someone who's been doing it his entire career. Cheers.

[@FishplateFilms]

The sad thing is James, some of my bosses would have no idea what I'm talking about..LOL Railways aren't run by railway people anymore it seems? Some guys at work have watched this video and did learn something! Thanks for the kind comments! Gregg.

[@jamesshanks2614]

Yes I have to agree, I hired out January 1971 on Penn Central and quickly discovered the merger between the Pennsylvania railroad and the New York Central didn't change anything as both factions Pennsy and NYC worked like they weren't merged at all. Was sad to see from the outside and the inside. The aggravation was watching newly hired trainmasters right out of college with zero experience and get mad at you when you and your crew tried to straighten them out and be threatened with being held out of service for insubordination. We had a new one who gathered the switching crews together and told us he was instituting a better way to switch and make up the westbound trains, when the night trainmaster showed up the first westbound tv train due out at 8PM was still in the yard and the road crew was making snide comments over the yard channel about the way we were making up the train as the new guy made us put the 1030PM tv train on the two loading tracks ahead of the 8 PM departure. We could hear the night trainmaster yelling at the kid from 300 feet away. Finally I grabbed the radio and said to any and all on the yard channel we were merely following orders from our new trainmaster who didn't have a clue and was stupid enough not to take advice from the crew that made up the train every evening. The night trainmaster called me on the radio and asked who I was talking to and I said no one in particular John, I'm just Eating off steam be before I punch that kid right in the chops for making everyone's work tonight a royal fricking disaster. Then I heard two yard crews and two outbound road crews chime in with " that's right " my crew got 4 hours of ot that night to help out the single night switcher straighten out the mess. And when I finished and got off my engine John the night trainmaster met me and smiled and said glad you knew the boundaries of insubordination can't se you were close tonight. I just smiled and asked if you were my conductor tonight what would you have done? I laughed all the way to my pickup when he looked at me and said " called an ambulance to pick up and employee who had passed out! " John was old school hired out as a water boy on a track gang back in the 30's and had been a trainmaster for over 25 years and was very good at managing people and problems. The new trainmaster? Was assigned by the Division Super to work with my yard crew for one month to learn his trade with John supervising the assignment. The next night he warily approached me and I told him he had nothing to fear as the anger I felt the night before was gone though he didn't like being used as a trainee brakeman until the conductor asked him how he was supposed to know what to tell someone to do if he hadn't done it himself. One month late we " graduated " a fine trainmaster who admitted he was out of his league that first night. Ok I type too much to enjoy Cheers

[@FishplateFilms]

A great story James, I'm sure you have dozens more like that! SOunds like a 20 yr old with 100 yrs experience....seen a few of them come and go but unfortunately some of them get promoted..LOL Cheers Gregg.

[@Cadelect]

is that acacia ridge yard near 101 points

[@FishplateFilms]

It may well be !! ;_)

[@micflynn1]

I think there is a easy way to do your frogs, using two 1 meg ohm resistors I think you could energize your frogs so you don't have to use a separate power supply. I can help you try it if you want. just PM me.

[@FishplateFilms]

Using the switch machine is pretty easy Mike as the power is already there to feed the turnout. Its a tried and tested method but feel free to show me your idea! Cheers Gregg.

[@coxsj]

Go Aussie!

[@FishplateFilms]

LOL;;;Thanks Coxy!

[@joeoz5416]

Good Day Mate, I don't know what you are selling but I'll take two. Joeoz3751

[@FishplateFilms]

LOL..thanks Joe! Gregg .

[@PeterCPRail8748]

Gregg more great info on the hobby mate.

[@FishplateFilms]

Thank you Peter, glad you got some info from the video. Cheers Gregg.

[@rjl110919581]

THANKS FOR VIDEO ON TURNOUT ALL DO LITTLE WORK TO MAKE WORK OK IN OPERATION

[@nsrailroader6932]

I an probably and idiot for asking this but is the beginning showing an American Railroad?

[@FishplateFilms]

No, this is the Standard gauge yard in Brisbane, with a Intermodal train ready to leave for Sydney. Not a silly question, the container cars lokk a bit like US spine cars! Cheers Gregg

[@garyweldy9964]

FishplateFilms

[@vsvnrg3263]

my question relates to full sized turnouts. i saw somewhere that a turnout costs about $100,000. i thought here's a good way to make money. get out the oxy torch, angle grinders and welder. easy money. then i saw on railpage that someone who makes the things says they cost TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS! i bet the chinese can put the steel components on a ship for a couple of hundred bucks. so how much do they cost? the most important question i wish to ask you is how easy is it to convert a broad(yuk) gauge turnout to be a sg turnout if it is at all possible? i live in perth for climate reasons. victorian sg is my favorite category on youtube. you're probably aware of the bullshit going on about the conversion in the murray basin. by the way, i notice the check rail has a curve shape similar to a fake moustache.

[@FishplateFilms]

Turnouts can be much more than that, depending on the size and configuration! The last thing we need is more cheap crap Chinese steel over here...we tried that and it is not cost effective but some don't learn. As for conversion, it is usually easier to replace the entire turnout but there may be times where it is possible to just move the outer stock rail? The quicker we convert all lines to SG, the better , as the different gauges have held this country back since the beginning of rail in this country. Hopefully Inland Rail will be a game changer and I look forward to seeing it finished, even though they are only building it to 21 tonne axel loads! Cheers Gregg.

[@vsvnrg3263]

gregg, i assure you it is in my dna and heritage to buy australian where possible. you don't mention how much these things cost. do you have any idea? i have no memory of seeing anywhere on the net about whether the murray basin was converted by just moving the stock rail inwards at crossovers. i'd be very interested in finding out why a new installation is usually easier. i have had the eureka moment on how to convert the melbourne suburban network to sg relatively painlessly for commuters. it's called the 'non intrusive crossover system'. i found it on yt. the makers describe it as "beautifully simple and completely effective". starting at a terminus away from the cbd, convert the up line to sg to the next island station on the route and run a sg converted train on it to this platform. the passengers alight and walk across the platform to a bg train to continue to the cbd. the sg train then returns to the terminus using the nics, and another nics conveniently located on the bg line allows the bg train to return to the cbd and no buses are needed(well, not many). meanwhile, the fettlers are converting more line to sg towards the cbd just like the allies across the pacific in ww2-island hopping. the down line is converted to sg 1 island section behind the up line. have i made this sound sensible? furthermore, i've got the problem of converting non-convertible sleepers to sg. the sleepers known as trs-just drill more holes in the concrete and use plastic plugs and coach screws like you can get at bunnings-that's all the chinese are using on high speed rail. i saw it on a yt video. other sleepers will require grinding to shape and possibly load-spreading steel plates on top of a hard plastic liner, and more plastic plugs and coach screws. you say "hopefully inland rail will be a gamechanger". so do i, however, this could have been said in 1995 when melbourne to adelaide was converted, 1970 when kalgoorlie to perth was converted or even sydney to brisbane all that time ago in the 30's. i live near the kewdale rail yard. when the sg line arrived, the wa government filled the forrestfield and kewdale yards with ng lines and then filled the industrial suburb of welshpool with ng sidings, all of which went unused, except for the 1 now converted to sg and used by saddliers. what a wasted opportunity.

[@FishplateFilms]

I don't work in civils, so I don't know the exact costs, but I do know a dual gauge crossover with diamond at Acacia Ridge cost over a million bucks....and that was 15 yrs ago! Turnouts are very complicated in the geometry , plus the ties are all specific lengths . It also depends on which side the "moved" rail is on , so in basically all cases, it would be easier to replace the turnout. The beauty of Inland rail , is that it is private and now all freight is private as well , so no Governments to slow progress like they did back in the past! As far as suburban passenger, like here in Brisbane, I think it's easier to remove freight from the network to SG and leave the NG or BG system alone , this saves a lot of money and disruption. We could do that easily up here as not many freight trains use the NG system . Cheers Gregg.

[@vsvnrg3263]

gregg, ONE MILLION DOLLARS? that's a lot of profit. it seems more profitable than drugs. why hasn't organised crime moved in on this? are you sure inland rail is private? there is a consortium wanting the victorian section to run through tocumwal or deniliquin to parkes but north of that i thought artc is involved. right now, as we speak across the ether, there is a lot of chaos about what gauges to put where around ballarat and the spread of the suburban system is complicating sg routes. there's at least 5 suburban lines in melbourne that need to cop freight, whatever way they plan it. conversion or dual gauging needs to be done on half the system. might as well convert the bloody lot(except heritage stuff-dg that). i can't speak for qld, but here in wa, people want the mandurah suburban rail line extended to join the bunbury line. that line is primarily freight and ng. right now there are trains taking grain to ships at bunbury to move it around the coast to brisbane for the drought stricken districts on the eastern side of the continent. should have been put on sg trains straight across the country. the perth suburban network should have had dg sleepers installed when they swapped all the timber ones for concrete 25 years ago. like you said, the quicker we convert all lines to sg, the better.

[@FishplateFilms]

When you add all the costs of earthworks, signals and switch machines plus the turnout itself, it all adds up . Inland Rail is being built by ARTC, and funded by private and public sectors , but they will maintain and "Run" the line , as they do with most of the SG freight lines. It sounds like WA is a complete stuff up like here in QLD !! This is what happens when governments build railroads.....the US and UK and multiple gauges but they soon found out that was a mistake....over 150 years ago! Will we ever learn?? Gregg.

[@LettuceTrains]

"They all need to go to a Hotel, get drunk and have a love child"

[@joramirez159357]

"Little Choo choos"

[@googoo-gjoob]

90% of derailments happen at the _switchpoint_

[@gamingnewton2480]

2019?

[@FishplateFilms]

2013.

[@jamesshanks2614]

Got a couple of videos I know you will get a kick out of. Both are from the Mount Washington Railroad here in New Hampshire. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pXPHdIFtiNiomZI kzbin.info/www/bejne/l17IkGCebcZrmtU The second movable switch was done after they had a derailment as every switch requires 9 separate moves just to throw the switch once. Enjoy :-)

[@FishplateFilms]

Amazing stuff James! Not high speed turnouts I gather...LOL Gregg.

[@taureanlea3777]

Do you work at QR?

[@FishplateFilms]

Yes I do. I don't get out to the ridge much these days as most of it is maintained by contractors now, but I do enjoy being around "standard Gauge". Cheers Gregg.

[@robertgift]

Do real wheels ever touch check rails?

[@FishplateFilms]

They certainly do Robert, every time they go through a frog, the axel is pulled to the side by the check rails! The inside of a check rail is always shiny and they are critical in preventing a derailment at the frog. Cheers Gregg.

[@TheTrainMaster15]

Sound like my dad. Saying trend setters

[@FishplateFilms]

+TrainMaster15 LOL, your dad probably grew up listening to Rodney Rude as well! Gregg.

[@JordysRailVideos]

+FishplateFilms good old Rude, he's doing a tour in Melbourne soon and I'm pretty much still learning about model trains and I like your videos

[@FishplateFilms]

+MrGH3Man4 Thank you , glad you like them! Old Rodney is getting old now, I saw him 2 yrs ago up here , he was OK and looked very different to the young days! Welcome to the hobby, Cheers Gregg.

[@geomodelrailroader]

I have my shirt in black

[@FishplateFilms]

+Aaron Peavler/Geomodelrailroader Railroad Photography I don't think we would get away with black shirts!!

[@geomodelrailroader]

FishplateFilms I know

[@struck2soon]

+FishplateFilms , well you would, but perhaps with a small Silver Fern over the heart? Of course, you might get stuff thrown at you in the streets...

[@FishplateFilms]

+struck2soon LOL !

[@auldstampguy]

Greg, I have found your videos on track cleaning very useful. I have been following your advice. I found a video today that was suggesting a slightly different approach and I'm wondering what you think of it. The guy in this video is talking about using small amount of ATF on the tracks. Here is the link to the video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJ6ygYKZrb2DoKc

[@FishplateFilms]

Hi Tim , thanks for the comments and have you sen the lates video on track cleaning..? "How not to clean your track" . In that I answer a comment on using ATF , and i know people use it but it is not designed for electrical components or circuits. I t may stop some oxidation but it is not made for the purpose we are trying to achieve . Cheers Gregg.

[@bonsaibrian]

I dont like concrete ties

[@CarmineRC]

I don't like concrete ties either ..... although that has NOTHING to do with the content of the video! :P

[@jacjac5761]

Hey Rail bro I used your speed table on my enging and I had a problem! CV 29 to 50 shut down my engine! So I set back to the default of 2! Can you explain why?

[@FishplateFilms]

I'll have to go and check the Cv's again. I'll let you know when I find a answer. Cheers Gregg

[@teddybeareleventeen]

FishplateFilms Setting CV29 to 50 is for engines with 4 digit address, running forwards and at 128 speed steps. May be that Jac's engine has a 1 or 2 digit address or running at different speed step settings? Just a thought. Stew.

[@jacjac5761]

Hey Teddy damn Your right I had to go back and look at the manual for the engine! I set back to 2 and it runs better! Two is the default so I will try it later tonight thankyou so much Teddy!

[@teddybeareleventeen]

jac jackson No worries Jac! Very happy to help! Cheers! Stew.

[@FishplateFilms]

teddybeareleventeen Thanks Stew!, I thought it may be something like that , or maybe CV2 was too low?. But I haven't had the time to check it out. My Atlas Dash8 's are a three digit address, but I think it is called a "extended" address, so any number other than the default no3. Good advice mate, Jac needs to go through the table and pick the correct one for him! Thanks Stew. Cheers Gregg