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Insulated Rail Joiners - re you supposed to use them?
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Offline Poor Skeleton  
#1 Posted : 06 November 2015 23:09:18(UTC)
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Poor Skeleton

United Kingdom   
Joined: 09/10/2015(UTC)
Posts: 581
Location: England, Cambridge
Hi, me again with what is probably a very basic question, but not one I've been able to find an answer to anywhere...

So, my question is; how are you supposed to use the Z scale insulated rail joiners?

I'm perplexed because they are quite asymmetrical and come on a sprue spaced 6.5mm apart, as though you're supposed to used them in pairs.

I guess the asymmetry is to take account of the way the regular fishplates are clinched to the rail, but I'm worried nothing will line up properly if I don't use them as a pair.

Thanks for your expert advice!


Chris
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Offline Wal  
#2 Posted : 07 November 2015 06:25:34(UTC)
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Wal

Australia   
Joined: 07/09/2012(UTC)
Posts: 67
Location: Sydney
Hi Chris,

I have a pic that helps explain the process but at this stage I can't post pics so I'll do my best to explain. I remove the metal joiners first so you have bare rail ends. Then I cut the black plastic joiners in such a way that there is one on each end of the "sprue" in the middle which acts like a sleeper (or tie for the americans). It is better to have the joiners linked as they are more stable and easier to work with. Then slide it onto one rail, and then the other. The join is "not secure" like a metal link so for all of mine I have used track pins to hold the rail in place so it won't move and separate causing derailments. If you want to PM me your email address I'd be happy to forward the image which should make this clearer.

Cheers,

Wal
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thanks 1 user liked this useful post by Wal
Offline Poor Skeleton  
#3 Posted : 08 November 2015 00:33:16(UTC)
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Poor Skeleton

United Kingdom   
Joined: 09/10/2015(UTC)
Posts: 581
Location: England, Cambridge
Originally Posted by: Wal Go to Quoted Post
Hi Chris,

I have a pic that helps explain the process but at this stage I can't post pics so I'll do my best to explain. I remove the metal joiners first so you have bare rail ends. Then I cut the black plastic joiners in such a way that there is one on each end of the "sprue" in the middle which acts like a sleeper (or tie for the americans). It is better to have the joiners linked as they are more stable and easier to work with. Then slide it onto one rail, and then the other. The join is "not secure" like a metal link so for all of mine I have used track pins to hold the rail in place so it won't move and separate causing derailments. If you want to PM me your email address I'd be happy to forward the image which should make this clearer.

Cheers,

Wal


Thanks, Wal, that's really helpful. I think I have the idea but I have PM-ed my email.

Do you think it's a really bad idea not to use them in pairs and just isolate one rail?

Cheers


Chris
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Offline Wal  
#4 Posted : 08 November 2015 03:39:58(UTC)
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Wal

Australia   
Joined: 07/09/2012(UTC)
Posts: 67
Location: Sydney
I've always used them as a pair. But I would think one would work. I don't need to use them much now that I'm running digital. I use a pair to separate a short piece of programming track for when I need to modify the config of a loco. And I have an old section of track which still uses relays to manage multiple locos on blocked sections of track which I keep isolated from the rest of my layout.

Cheers,

Wal
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