So what is it?
Over various meets with leading model engineers across Australia, I deduced the problem was with the product rather than the material as a medium. The benefits of the alloy rail were that it was quick to lay down, could be laid by one man and would be easy to roll with a jig.
I opted for a thicker innerweb than most commercially availible rails (8mm), a sightly thicker head (15mm) and a wider base (25mm)which made for a study and resilient rail. When getting it produced I opted for 6106 T6 alloy which is case hardened and heat treated.
It was decided that points/ turnouts would be better if made with steel ladder for stability and ability to hold gauge (in other words I can't weld aluminium!) The alloy is compatible, size-wise, with 25mm SHS and 25 x 12 flat bar.
So far we have had no troubles with warping or heat movement and no wearing issues. It is proving a joy to lay out and thanks to a high in steel price at the moment, it is around $2 Au cheaper than flat bar rail.
UPDATE Produced by Capral Brisbane, it was necessary for me to retain intellectual property ownership of the die, but when this expires in late 2014, Capral may agree to produce this section for retail sales.
I opted for a thicker innerweb than most commercially availible rails (8mm), a sightly thicker head (15mm) and a wider base (25mm)which made for a study and resilient rail. When getting it produced I opted for 6106 T6 alloy which is case hardened and heat treated.
It was decided that points/ turnouts would be better if made with steel ladder for stability and ability to hold gauge (in other words I can't weld aluminium!) The alloy is compatible, size-wise, with 25mm SHS and 25 x 12 flat bar.
So far we have had no troubles with warping or heat movement and no wearing issues. It is proving a joy to lay out and thanks to a high in steel price at the moment, it is around $2 Au cheaper than flat bar rail.
UPDATE Produced by Capral Brisbane, it was necessary for me to retain intellectual property ownership of the die, but when this expires in late 2014, Capral may agree to produce this section for retail sales.
Rail delivery, possible with one person thanks to extendible log bunks. There's enough here for 30 metres of track.
Approaching "head of steel" with worktrain. Sleepers already spaced and laid ahead.