So I am working on a project were we as-built some rail tracks to check specs and one of them requires the center of rail, and to some tight specs too. I did some initial searching for railway tools and am not seeing anything that looks that great. I may need to fabricate something. I am thinking of having it magnetized to one side of the rail to make it quick to move but have not worked out the details. Either that or spring clamped. I figure I can mark the mark whatever jig I make by using an optical plumb set over either side, lined up with the edge of rail and mark the jig, then half the distance between both sides with a ruler or such? Not sure if I am overthinking this, under-thinking this or what.
Anyone have any experience with this type of work?
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Railroads specify a distance for inside of rail to inside of rail, Lufkin tapes had a rail gauge mark on them.
Some of the train yard and switching sets rely upon center of rail location.
Search the forum for pictures posted by azweig of the gadget he uses for rail measurements.
So the rail I am measuring is not typical in that they are over a 100 feet apart. The trimble stuff looks great for when there are two tracks but may not work otherwise. I may need to order one of the trimble "rail shoes" with magnets to see if it will work. It may just mean measuring the edge of rail or accounting for an offset to center. Not sure what will work best yet.
Thanks for the replies.
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So, there is one rail, then 100 feet, then the other rail? The Trimble rail shoe works really well. I believe it is offset to measure the rail where you would typically take your gauge measurement. The Trimble trolley, which is what I use, will only work for "standard" track location. They make pieces to accommodate different gauge types, but nothing that will only work with one rail.
Sounds like rail for an overhead crane system.
Paper mills have a chip dispenser that rides on a set of rails about 108ft apart.
Plywood mills have a log handling system with rails about 160ft apart.
32?ø58'00" N, 93?ø27'28" W
"So the rail I am measuring is not typical in that they are over a 100 feet apart."
Now that makes much more sense. Unlike normal rails/wheels whatever is running on these will almost certainly have double flanged wheels and the rail head will be level, not canted. That's why centre line has been specified.
If you know the width of the rail head you can knock yourself up a little wooden template (an inverted U shape) to drop over the rail. Hole in the centre of the base to take the target rod and there you go. It's wise to make it a little larger than the rail head width and then pad out each side equally with thick card to get a good fit on site.
Depending on your required specs, something similar to a self-centering woodworking dowel jig might work:
https://www.highlandwoodworking.com/woodpeckers-onetime-mt-center-gauge-doweling-jig.aspx
But if you're getting paid for tight specs, you'll have a better leg to stand on using job-specific tools.
https://goecke.de/Products/Railway-survey-equipment/?XTCsid=c7ff2499bb9c1873f72b8d846f0c91dd
Some toys to look at.
