NEW
iGRS Ballast Bolster
The problem with garden railway track, relative to locomotives,
is that weight for weight the track is far too light and will
not do the job as it does in the real world. Sleepers need to
be literally bedded down into the ballast to hold the track
in place but still enable it to move gradually in all directions.
The
Ballast Bolster was developed to give an overall continuous
and even track support between the Fleximounts. It literally
hangs on the track to give a true weight using ballast that
will never wash or wander away. Two types of black tie-wraps
are supplied per metre length, 2 off light-duty ties to close
the Ballast Bolster ends and 5 off heavy-duty ties to enable
easy attachment to the track. The Ballast Bolster can be used
with the IGRS Track-Up System.
Assembly
to Track
Cut the Ballast Bolster tubing approximately 100mm shorter than
the distance between the Fleximounts & close one end using
a small tie-wrap.·
Loosely fill the tubing with your choice of ballast so the profile
is a flat oval and can easily bend and be snake like. Approximately
fill to about 80%, this may vary depending on ballast stone
size. Close the other end of the Ballast Bolster using another
small tie-wrap.·
Using the larger tie-wraps, attach it to the track as shown
above, on about 200mm spacings (8"). Slide the tie-wrap
through the Ballast Bolster and back under the rail but over
the sleeper tie rods. Make sure it is not over tight otherwise
the tie-wrap will protrude upwards and may cause derailments.
Note some sleeper tie rods are not a solid link.
When using Flexitrack put 2 to 3 tie wraps either side of the
rail joints, one between each sleeper. If possible also stagger
the rail joint to so they are approximately 50mm apart (2"),
this will assist in removing those rail kinks.
Trim all the tie-wraps and add additional ballast around the
track.
Additional tie wraps can be purchased from IGRS or from your
local DIY.
The Ballast Bolster can be purchased in any continuous length
c/w tie wraps at £3.60 per metre.
