Third rail in progress

[@stretchedits]

Hi, oh very nice.............I don't have any third rail on my layout, but you did ask for ideas. I would be tempted to do the bay and then the platform on that line. You can then run trains into and out of the bay, yet you have an alternate platform incase of a delayed train occupying the bay when a second arrives. Also an interesting operational feature could be an electric running into the platform, then continuing over the non third rail somewhere but loco hauled. Having a loco sitting waiting to move an electric over non electric lines might be quite fun to operate. Just an idea. All the best Dave.

[@Mossendrailway00]

Hi Dave thank you for your comments and your idea is a good one I am going to do the lot .I think the third rail looks so good Im half way round the lay out so far; The more I do the better it looks but its slow going all the best Colin.

[@ewhurstgreen]

Thank you for sharing your experience in laying the third rail. 👍 Done the absolute right thing in not painting the conductor rail prior to fitting the insulator pots and current mainline railway practice is (usually) one insulator every five sleepers. Good advice in not using the risers too as it isn't possible to get the correct offset from the running edge with PECO code 75 /100 track. At 12"=1' it should measure around 16" - this equates to approximately 6mm for 00 track.⚡ In drilling the sleeper ends, the conductor rail insulator pots on Ewhurst Green are a simple press fit into place. Once an length is laid the rail is removed, coat of primer thence just a covering of sleeper grime before refitting - the insulators became brown (largely from brake dust) very quickly. If an insulator pot starts to sit proud a dob on pain usually assists.😉 In terms of your question, personally I would lay the conductor rail into both platforms and both lines (the railway would have done this for operational flexibility). 🌞 Don't compromise your layout for sake of having to be careful using a track rubber! _Personally tend to use other means for rail cleaning on Ewhurst Green's significant lengths of third rail with track rubbers only every used for problem spots._ Most of the time the Ten Commandment's rail cleaning wagon is used followed by a good vacuum with Dapol cleaning wagons (these are only ever used in vacuum mode). IPA is also used in moderation (Isopropyl alcohol not India Pale Ale). There are some models that will physically foul the conductor rail (there are prohibitions on the 12"=1' railway) such as the Pacer units while the Lima /Hornby EDLs need a little trimming on the underside of their bogies (moulded sand pipes if I recall).

[@Mossendrailway00]

Thank you for the nice comments and so much information ,I am doing the lot both lines half way at the moment and I love your lay out if any body knows about 3rd rails its you thanks all the best Colin,

[@ewhurstgreen]

@@Mossendrailway00 Pleased to be able share my many decades of knowledge from working on DC electrified railways both in the UK and overseas! I've posted quite a bit on BloodandCustard too...

[@carimz]

These details look really good. You can leave it as it is and run it as a bi-directional line. Personally, I would do everything - but that does involve pain/cost. But you don't have to do it all at once. Track cleaning: just running trains frequently cuts out the need for a lot of track cleaning (just clean wheels every now and then). You can cut a slice of track cleaner off, mount it on a skewer and use that to clean the rail near the 3rd rail - OK, more pain.😂 Have you tried "Track Magic"? (I am just a happy user). Really cut down on the track cleaning I have to do.

[@Mossendrailway00]

You are right Im doing the lot at the moment I am half way round the lay out,I do use Track Magic good stuff thanks for the nice comments all the best Colin

[@DYLINGTONMODELRAILWAY]

Great job, Col. I can't offer anything constructive, but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have had the patience to do it ... Cheers James 🙂👍

[@Mossendrailway00]

Hi James thanks it has been very slow going,I am doing the lot .About half way round at this point.All the best Colin.

[@smallrails6831]

great work col !

[@Mossendrailway00]

Thanks mate hope all is well all the best Col.

[@monsvillerailways5736]

Hi Colin. I might be showing my ignorance here, but why do you need a third rail? In what way does it help a standard OO Gauge layout? Thanks in advance for the explanation. Happy Modelling

[@Mossendrailway00]

For E M U s the third rail powers them so if you dont have one it will not move so its more true to life to have one ,Thanks for the comments hope this helped all the best Colin.