JFS wrote:In my case, more than 75% of the rail is boarded so sort-cuts are needed, but I do face a dilemma with the sidings which are right at the front of the baseboard - they are fully boarded, but right under the noses of the punters... I am putting off a decision...
When we were building Elcot Road my son managed to obtain a copy of the Network Rail information on standards for fixing of conductor rail and protective boarding, The following is a summary of some key points:
"Conductor rail is positioned with its centre line 405mm from the running rail gauge face at a height 75 mm above it.
Insulators one sleeper clear of conductor rail fishplate joints and clear of fish plate joints on running rails
Insulators evenly spaced. Maximum spacing not to exceed 4.6 metres – every six sleepers except where the curvature of the track is less than 400 metres (20 chains) where maximum distance should not exceed 3.8 metres, every fourth sleeper.
Ramp ends supported not less than 305mm and not more than 750mm from the end of the conductor rail.
Protective boarding supports spaced between 1.6 metres and 2.4 metres apart and inside edge of boarding is 100mm from the conductor rail centre line and boards should extend between 12mm and 25mm above top of the conductor rail.
Supports not on the same sleeper as conductor rail supports. Boards extend 150mm beyond end of rail on plain track, and at tips of rail on points.
Single protective boarding provided between conductor rail and running rail where the running rail is used for a single rail track circuit and not used for traction negative return.
On the outside of the conductor rail where it is within 1 metre of an authorized walking route.
On the outside of conductor rail located in the cess where the distance between the nearest running line and the adjacent shunting line is less than 3 metres
On the outside of CR at equipment locations within 3 metres of the electrified line or where there is entry or exit from line side buildings within 1 metre. Where this happens boarding should extend for a minimum of 1 metre on each side of the equipment and be a minimum of 2.5 metes in length.
Between the conductor rail and adjacent point rodding or signal wires where these are les than 1 metre from the gauge face
Double protective boarding provided as follows:
On the approach side of signal post telephones for a minimum of 8 metres where the CR is on the same side of the track as the phone;
For a minimum of 2 metres at the ramp ends of CR which terminates less than 3 metres from the edge of any road or crossing
At stations and raised walkways where the CR is adjacent to the platform
At locations where regular coupling or uncoupling takes place
For a mimimum length of 2 metres at the ramp end of the CR adjacent to any authorized walkway
Boards nominally 8 inches wide x I inch thick. Brackets are 2 ½ inches x ½ inch. Pockets are screwed to boards to fit over brackets. Modern style is jiggled bracket. Board supports not on same sleeper as CRS except at point timbering. Board length between 15 feet and 21 feet. Supports on sleepers each side of joint in board and on first sleeper after end of ramp.
Distance from CL of CR to inside edge of boards is 100mm Top of board pockets is 240mm above top of sleeper. CR on each side of track has overlap of 12 timber bays (Sleepers?)
Ramps - two bend type 1 in 48 slope for 32 mm and I in 24 for 8mm End is 1mm below top of rail.
Single bend type 1 in 48 end is 0.84 mm below top of rail "
I am sure that in practice individual situations meant that the standards needed to be tweaked and it was certainly true on the model. For the protective boarding I used the nearest size of brass strip that I could find and the support brackets were also made of brass or nickel silver again to the nearest size. For single sided boarding the brackets were soldered to the strips and then glued to the top of the sleepers. For double sided boarding a U shaped bracket was made up which was soldered to the inside piece of boarding. The brackets were fed under the CR and glued in place. When the glue was set the outside boarding was soldered to the brackets.
Send me a PM if you want to know more.
Terry Bendall