--- In [email protected], "ed_loizeaux" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> > I'm having trouble remembering whether it was track gauge or wheel
> gauge that was changed when NASG and NMRA standards were merged; I
> want to say the wheel gauge was widened, but am not confident I have
> it right all, even after all these years. DJE
> ____________________________________________
> The wheel gauge was
> widened for sure, but I don't remember exactly what happened with the
> track gauge. In either event, the end result of the changes was less
> sideslop between the wheels and rails which made for more reliable
> coupling. A big improvement since we all were using Kadee #5
> couplers back in those days because nothing else was available at the
> time. Other olde tymers might have somewhat different recollections
> of all this, but the differences will probably be in the details
> rather than in the overall picture. Cheers...Ed L.
> ___________________________________
That's correct - the whole movement started with the idea of
"tightening up" the wheel/track dimensions. The original NMRA standard
dated back to the early non-powered CD Models of the late 1930's.
It actually started with a suggestion to widen only the back to back
dimensions of the NMRA wheels. What we ended up with was a whole new
set of standards that reflected what modelers in S desired.
The whole idea of the NASG (new NMRA) standard was to keep it
compatible with the old NMRA wherever possible. Therefore, rolling
stock with NASG wheelsets will operate on old NMRA trackage, but not
the other way around.
That was the premise with the Shinohara #6 switch - design it within
the overlapping track dimensions of the old and new standard so
modelers using either standard could avail themselves of a ready to
lay switch. However, exact measurements being not always possible in a
mass-produced environment, tolerances are always figured into the
equation.
The result was (is), some switches may require a few swipes of a file
(or Dremel tool, as Dick suggests) to sharpen the switch point, which
increases the check gauge and eliminates "point picking", a small
price to pay for a switch that was miles ahead of anything else on the
market at the time.
Incidentally, in my Atlas switch regauging activities, the flangeway
and check gage is right on with the old NMRA standard, and works fine
with the NASG wheels on my rolling stock. If not, I simply put a .010"
styrene shim on the guardrail.
Bob Nicholson
------------------------------------
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/
<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional
<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/join
(Yahoo! ID required)
<*> To change settings via email:
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
