Easy scratch deck tracks/aircraft dolly rails)

[sargentx]

Admittedly, this solution isn't as visually complex or as accurate as a PE track such as what you would get in a Pontos set, but if you've either ruined your tracks (as I always seem to do), can't do/hate doing them, or don't have a decent PE set, this certainly is better than the molded on 'wall' you get with the kit. At least with this, you've created an actual raised track that is visually crisp, easy to do, and requires little in the way of unusual parts or scratch building. This, combined with a decent PE Linoleum deck plate can be certainly good enough in a pinch.

To do this, use small three space lengths of typical PE ladder and the finest steel rod you can buy.

Bend the 3 space ladder bits so that you have a small L shape. One hole for the foot, and two holes for the vertical

Use your CA glue to attach the two L shapes to the deck at either end of where the rail will be

It is a very simple matter to now slide the appropriately cut length of steel rod into the top-most square of the L brackets. A small touch of CA at each end will finalize the attachment of the rod. This ensure that all the tracks are exactly the same height. The resulting track is fairly robust and won't break easily under normal handling and painting.

Rail system done this way on Kongo. Again, while not as complex or as accurate as a PE rail system, from normal viewing distances the effect is convincing enough to this modellers eye...and certainly a lot more fun to do when your options have run out!

[Timmy C]

This should also work with a cut-to-size length of railing, right?

[sargentx]

What do you mean Tim?

[Timmy C]

Just wondering if there's a reason to use the rods instead of trimming one of the horizontal sections of a PE railing to size, since that would have the added benefit of a rectangular cross-section and being more easily available in most modelers' stash. I guess the tough part would be keeping the PE length straight, and not crimped or bent in the process of trimming.

[sargentx]

Well, sure I guess. The whole issue that plagues the tracks when they go south is the accidental bending etc. It'd be pretty hard to cut all those little verticals off railing without distorting it. Still though, the idea of using a generic railing and folding it in half or something or trimming off the top third and gluing it down on edge is interesting. I'll have to putz with this a bit.

[ComfortablyNumb]

Or you could just use Flyhawk's generic foot railing. Its already "cut off" to the proper height for plane launching rails, and is about the correct shape and scale. Just cut to length. Easy peasy.

[sargentx]

That's a good idea Can you send a link to the exact product? I couldn't find anything called 'foot railing' 'foot rail'