track. An L-shapedpieceof rodhada secondpieceof rod sol-
dered to it at a90degreeangle.”
The L-shape rests ina recessbetween the railswith the short
legof the Lextendingbeyond the track (5, previouspage)
such that itwill clear the sidesof a car. The secondpiece is
positioned slightlyoff-center toavoid the car couplers. The
L-shapedpiece is allowed topivot in tubing that isheld inplace
by the track. The crossties are trimmed in themiddle toallow
the secondpiece to swingupor down. (A counterweight on
thearmoutsideof the rails canact as anoperatinghandleand
keep the stopout of thewaywhen it isn’t needed.)
George’s “NewGreatWesternRailway” is at
PatrickStanleyuses a coupleofmethods toprevent runaways.
One is to install someWoodlandScenics grassbetween the
rails. Hekeeps it out of the center of thegauge so it doesn't
interferewithKadee coupler pins, and trims theheight
so it just contacts axles. Thegrass is enough tokeepa car
from rolling, but allows switching the spurwithout special
considerations.
Patrick sometimesplaces a small clumpof loose foliage in front
of the car, on thedownhill side. LikeGeorgeBooth’s eraser, it
holds the car andhas tobemechanicallyplaced/removeddur-
ing switching. But it looksmoreprototypical.
BobBattles suggestedusing sisal rope. He cuts the stifffibers
toaxle-height, andglues them inplaceasneeded. They look
likeweeds growingbetween the rails. Theyare stiffenough to
keep cars from rolling, but a locomotive can still pull or push
the cars through the "weeds." For threeor four cars ina small
siding itworksfine.
Questions, Answers&Tips -
MRH-Apr2014
