 | | ME Models Metal Rails
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ME Models has just released metal L-gauge train rails: The video: (URL) review: (URL) (14 years ago, 1-Apr-11, to lugnet.trains) !
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| | Re: ME Models Metal Rails
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(...) make this announcement... Neat system, but I have a concern that the plastic wheels against the sharp inside edge of the rail will wear down the wheels faster than usual. If I buy some, I might have to round off the top of the rails just a (...) (14 years ago, 1-Apr-11, to lugnet.trains)
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| | Re: ME Models Metal Rails
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(...) Our manufacturer of the rails runs the rail through a "de-burrer" machine. Basically there is a wash and bunch of ceramic stones. The unit vibrates and a unique smooth finish comes about when each rail comes out of the bath. There are no sharp (...) (14 years ago, 1-Apr-11, to lugnet.trains)
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| | Re: ME Models Metal Rails
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(...) I have a sample and the edges, while crisp rather than rounded, are not sharp enough to cut. There may be a bit more wear due to the metal corner, not sure. But I'm not too worried about that. The adapter piece is a little less shiny than (...) (14 years ago, 2-Apr-11, to lugnet.trains)
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| | Re: ME Models Metal Rails
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(...) when using CAD based track designers like Bluebrick? The full, half and quarter lengths of both the straight and curved tracks? Does the future also include renditions of the switches are crossings? (14 years ago, 3-Apr-11, to lugnet.trains)
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| | Re: ME Models Metal Rails
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(...) I'm not sure if I fully understand your question here, but I do have the additional geometry available for use in track draw, meaning, I should be able to convert it to BlueBrick (but I haven't played with it much). (...) I should be able to (...) (14 years ago, 3-Apr-11, to lugnet.trains)
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| | Re: ME Models Metal Rails
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(...) use a clumsy straight-curve-straight configuration for our corners; are the numbers on what those geometries are public information yet? We look forward to the Good News;-) JOHN (14 years ago, 3-Apr-11, to lugnet.trains, FTX)
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| | Re: ME Models Metal Rails
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(...) TCLTC and PennLUG are in the same boat John. Our steam fleet will look fantastic on the new wider ME curves and will run much better too. This will probably be the first part of our layouts to be converted to the new rails. Cale (14 years ago, 4-Apr-11, to lugnet.trains, FTX)
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| | Re: ME Models Metal Rails
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(...) Yup. What I'm hoping is that they are making a radius that matches the radius of the straight-curve-straight-curve corner, so we can simply drop them in and laugh:-) JOHN (14 years ago, 4-Apr-11, to lugnet.trains, FTX)
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| | Re: ME Models Metal Rails
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(...) end ties will be produced in? I'd like to see light bley, as well as brown, and possibly tan? ROSCO (14 years ago, 4-Apr-11, to lugnet.trains)
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| | Re: ME Models Metal Rails
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(...) Numbers are: R56, R72, R88 where R40 is LEGO standard. Number corresponds to radius of curve on center of ties. The pattern CURVE-STRAIGHT-CURVE...IGHT-CURVE will match up with 4 sections of R72 perfectly. (14 years ago, 4-Apr-11, to lugnet.trains, FTX)
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| | Re: ME Models Metal Rails
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(...) The ends, right now, are in dark bley and reddish brown. If there's enough interest, we can do them in other colors as well and maybe offer them as an "add-on". Quite frankly though, unless you're connecting to existing LEGO track, you don't (...) (14 years ago, 4-Apr-11, to lugnet.trains)
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| | Re: ME Models Metal Rails
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(...) Woohoo! My checkbook awaits the next big announcement. (URL) JOHN (14 years ago, 4-Apr-11, to lugnet.trains, FTX)
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| | Re: ME Models Metal Rails
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(...) Me too. Cale (14 years ago, 5-Apr-11, to lugnet.trains, FTX)
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| | Re: ME Models Metal Rails
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(...) Q: Are the rails available separately? That is, w/o the sleeper pieces. I have considered getting LEGO trains for the past 2 decades, but never bought a single train set. Therefore, I have no track in my collection. Except for a bunch of 4.5v (...) (14 years ago, 5-Apr-11, to lugnet.trains)
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| | Re: ME Models Metal Rails
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(...) The poly bag sets as well as the longer sections come without the 2X8 plates included. We have thrown in the connector pieces with every kit. You are free to use them if you want, but removing them from the kits will not really save you any (...) (14 years ago, 6-Apr-11, to lugnet.trains)
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| | Re: ME Models Metal Rails
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(...) For those of us who add ballast and individual ties to our track the placement of holes along the curved rails will be a key point. (URL) From what I've seen so far ME has put a good deal of thought into this product and I have no doubt you'll (...) (14 years ago, 7-Apr-11, to lugnet.trains, FTX)
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| | Re: ME Models Metal Rails
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(...) The old 4.5v curves just had a channel if I'm remembering OK, they had just one one anti-stud halfway along as well as one at each end - allowing for very flexible sleeper placement. Would something like that be possible? ROSCO (14 years ago, 7-Apr-11, to lugnet.trains)
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| | Re: ME Models Metal Rails
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(...) Bluebrick supports full, half and quarter pieces of both the curved and straight track elements. If I use these elements in the design of my layout, and purchase the ME components, will they marry up? For instance a quarter track piece from ME (...) (14 years ago, 8-Apr-11, to lugnet.trains)
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| | Re: ME Models Metal Rails
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(...) I noticed that too, Larry, just by looking at the pics on RailBricks. The connectors have a certain patina to them that sets them slightly apart from a LEGO-produced plate's gloss. (...) Me too. Ed (14 years ago, 9-Apr-11, to lugnet.trains)
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| | Re: ME Models Metal Rails
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(...) All of our curves will come in 22.5 degree sweeps. In short, if you lay them out 8 studs apart, you will be able to draw a radii line from the center of the curve that will intersect all of the junctions. (...) I will put them up on the ME (...) (14 years ago, 15-Apr-11, to lugnet.trains)
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| | Re: ME Models Metal Rails
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(...) Anything is possible but the problem is, if we went with a full channel underneath, it could potentially weaken the metal too much. We haven't done enough testing or research on that aspect, but what I can tell you is that it would be a (...) (14 years ago, 15-Apr-11, to lugnet.trains)
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| | Re: ME Models Metal Rails
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(...) Sounds like a nice product, I look forward to getting hands on with it so I can explore making switches and interlocks with them. Having track loose like this really opens the door to new switch geometry and more realistic and functional (...) (14 years ago, 17-Apr-11, to lugnet.trains)
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| | Re: ME Models Metal Rails
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(...) diehards embracing a clone brand! (14 years ago, 20-Apr-11, to lugnet.trains)
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| | Re: ME Models Metal Rails
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(...) Touché, Dave! (URL) JOHN (14 years ago, 20-Apr-11, to lugnet.trains, FTX)
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| | Re: ME Models Metal Rails
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(...) Oooooh, cool idea. I like that, custom switches out of the metal track. Definitely keep us posted with your creations. Benn (14 years ago, 21-Apr-11, to lugnet.trains)
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| | Re: ME Models Metal Rails
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(...) Not exactly a clone brand. A clone brand is one that seeks to just copy LEGO's products, most like to make a quick buck. Clone brand products can be easily used by themselves. Not quite so with ME Models's metal rails, though you could if (...) (14 years ago, 21-Apr-11, to lugnet.trains)
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| | Power pickups (Was: ME Models Metal Rails)
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Hi again Eric, Are you going to be offering power pickups? When running RC or PF trains, the track can simply supply the power, since control is delivered thru the RC or PF controllers. This would eliminate the need for batteries. Some track layouts (...) (14 years ago, 24-Apr-11, to lugnet.trains)
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| | Re: Power pickups (Was: ME Models Metal Rails)
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(...) Eventually...yes. As we have said from the beginning, our ultimate goal is to provide a complete "L" Gauge rail system. Unfortunately, I can't give a timeframe on that as of yet. (...) Absolutely, Scott. We're going to do this and we're going (...) (14 years ago, 29-Apr-11, to lugnet.trains)
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| | Re: ME Models Metal Rails
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(...) Well, since the Me tracks are compatible with the standard Lego Track, you can just use the standard parts in BlueBrick. However, I guess soon or later a BlueBrick part contributor will create these Me track parts and add them in the BlueBrick (...) (14 years ago, 30-Apr-11, to lugnet.trains)
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