Short rail height

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Ickabod Crane
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Short rail height

Post by Ickabod Crane »

I have a race coming up on a wood track that has a very low rail height. I'm very concerned that a RR will jump the track. Anybody have this experience?
Shawn Stebleton
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Re: Short rail height

Post by Shawn Stebleton »

Lower than the 1/4" standard? How much lower? I've never seen that kind of rail.
Shawn
Ickabod Crane
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Re: Short rail height

Post by Ickabod Crane »

All I have are photos of the track. The rail looks low but it may be 1/4". Any issues with the rail being wood for a RR?
Shawn Stebleton
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Re: Short rail height

Post by Shawn Stebleton »

How does it compare with this track:
Image
It is a standard 1/4" rail height. The track is a Piantedosi Classic track. The commercially made ones tend to follow specs very well.

P.S. My older son's car is in the middle.
Shawn
Ickabod Crane
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Re: Short rail height

Post by Ickabod Crane »

http://images.bsehosting.com/4137/7365-601.jpg

Here is a photo of the track. The rail in your photo looks much higher.
Shawn Stebleton
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Re: Short rail height

Post by Shawn Stebleton »

Ickabod Crane wrote:Image

Here is a photo of the track. The rail in your photo looks much higher.
That does look shorter. Never had experience with it. If you can gain access to the track, bring a ruler and measure it. Take a picture with the ruler present. Let us all know.

Where is this track located?
Shawn
Shawn Stebleton
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Re: Short rail height

Post by Shawn Stebleton »

Ickabod Crane wrote:Any issues with the rail being wood for a RR?
Our pack track is wood and we have been railriding for 5 or 6 years, ever since we learned about it here on DT and got up the gumption to try it, and haven't looked back. The district track for the first two railriders my older boy did were also wood. No problems. Just watch the alignment. That bit us last year.

For the track you are asking about, I would guess that a small amount of camber would be better than a larger amount, as it would cut down the chance of the wheel jumping over the rail. It would also allow the wheel to roll over any rail joint misalignment.
Shawn
chromegsx
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Re: Short rail height

Post by chromegsx »

Positive camber the DFW (if your rules allow) and you won't need to worry about jumping the rail if aligned properly.
Ickabod Crane
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Re: Short rail height

Post by Ickabod Crane »

I'll be sure to take the picture you requested. The race isn't until late March. I was just starting to build the car and thought I'd get an idea of what the track was like. I was surprised by the low rail. Hopefully, it is just the angle of the picture.
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