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Trackwork
Sun, 2017-01-22 10:41 — dssa1051
Has anyone tried using CV ties as individual ties? I would like to have very wide spacing between the ties for an industrial yard. Even the CV branchline ties aren't spaced out very much. I was thinking of making skeleton track with hand spiked wooden ties and then filling in with CV ties. The wooden ties might need to be shimmed. Tie spacing in yards can be up 30" on center. Ties were spaced closer only under the rail joints. I would like the ties to have plates since the era isn't old enough to have rail spiked directly to the ties. If you ever have a chance to have a cab ride at a slow speed you really notice the inside shoulder of the tie plates. I've read the previous posts on CV tie strips.
Robert
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Robert-
I use mainline and branchline CVT tie strips. Sometimes, I have cut an individual tie out and used it by itself-- for example, to provide "just the right space" between two successive turnouts. I use DAP flex caulk to fasten the ties (whether strips or singles) to my cork roadbed and it holds them in place firmly. I have had no problems with the individual ties, and the tie plates are a big help and comfort in keeping rails aligned. One thing to consider: when you cut a tie out of the tie strip with a hobby knife, there is a visible mark on the side of the tie where the connecting plastic web had been. In my situation, this becomes invisible once ballast is in place. I have not laid lengths of track using single ties though, as you are planning on doing.
A thought: if your desired spacing is an integral multiple of the tie spacing in either CVT mainline or branchline strips, then you could spread the caulk, put the whole strip down and then cut out every other tie before the caulk sets up firmly (there is plenty of time), being careful to not shift the remaining ties while you cut with your knife. The benefit of this approach is that you'd get to use the centerline locating nibs that are molded into the CVT tie strips to help you align the ties with a marked centerline on your roadbed.
Dennis
Tie Spacing
Thanks, Dennis
I hadn't thought about the every other tie idea. With the mainline ties every other tie would end up being on about 36" centers. Also I knew DAP caulk is the choice for flex track so It's good to hear it will work with the tie strips as well.
Robert