From: [email protected] <[email protected]> on behalf of stephen howe via groups.io <stephenjhowe@...>
Sent: 09 August 2020 17:28
To: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Subject: [o14] Point blade planing

I very much enjoyed reading Trevor Hughes' account in NG&IRMR 123, of making track for his new Pendre layout. One query I have, which is totally down to my ignorance of the subtleties of narrow gauge track, concerns how the point blades are machined to fit against the stock rail. I have recently finished the track on a P4 light railway (standard gauge) using Code 60 flat bottom rail. My researches suggested that the foot of the stockrail was left intact and the outer foot of the point blade was machined at an angle to ride onto the foot which supported it. The inner foot of the switch being left intact. Prior to this project, and in my limited experience of 7mm NG flat bottom track making, using Karlgarin rail, I had filed away the foot of the stockrail as Trevor has done, to make a notch to accommodate the switch, although I later read that this was not 'prototypical' as it weakened the stockrail. However knowing Trevor will have gone to great pains to get the track correct, and studying the prototype photos in the article confirms that the stock rail did indeed have its foot cut away to make a seating for the toe of the switch blade.

Is there any hard and fast rule to this? or did it depend on the individual railway company's Chief Engineer?!

Steve