I have bought a fair assortment of second hand rail. But of course the joining tags for want of the corect word are either missing or naf.
What I need is a supplier, I live here in Cornwall Camborne and I am unable to purchase from the train shop as none in stock.
This has stopped work in progress. So any pointers please.
..............................Leslie
"fish plates" ('fishplates')
You can get them on the web:
Pete
I think Peco just call them Track Joiners.
They are very cheap and I'd be amazed to find that any model railway shop would fail to sell them - especially if they sell Flexi-track.
Adrian
Beware, some makes of track have a thicker base than Peco, fleishmann does I believe, so Peco joiners can split if used with this track, take a sample of the track with you to the shop. Peco joiners are quite unobtrusive, other firms sometimes use bulkier joiners but the Fleishman joiners are just slightly bigger than the Peco type
Leslie
In answer to your question, Just about any model railway shop should have track-joiners/fishplates. If your local shop can't help, one of the many on-line retailers may be able to.
Adrian
Thanks for al the Fish Plates :-)
Mr. Adams
...................................Leslie
How far is Camborne from Beer?
Hornby and Peco joiners work with each other's current code 100 track, but IME Peco are much easier to solder to if you need to do so.
Guy
We don't stop Camborne Wednesdays...
IGMC...
Guy
Correctly.
"Fishplate" is a prototype term. Fishplates are always in pairs, bolted together through the web of the rail. They have a tapered top and bottom edge which locks between the head and foot of the rail. The taper is called the "fishing angle" and matches a similar angle on the rail. The holes in the rail are larger than the "fish-bolts" so that the rail can expand and contract with changing temperature, and a corresponding "expansion gap" is left between the rail ends. Also for this reason fishplates must be kept oiled. This is done annually, usually in the Spring when the temperature change between night and day is greatest.
Model "Rail Joiners" are completely different. They are a simple springy clip which fits over the foot of the rail. The prototype does not have anything remotely similar, because it would not be strong enough. Calling them "fishplates" is a daft thing to do. Peco do many daft things, but this isn't one of them.
Martin.
---------- email: snipped-for-privacy@templot.com web:
eek!
I once spent an entire weekend on the East Somerset Railway greasing fishplates.
I shall expect a re-occurence of the nightmares tonight...
Pete
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