What's the difference between an "A" type switch and a "B" type?
In the prototype, a turnout is a combination of a switch, a crossing and a section joining the two. We have used the same kind of terminology in the C&L range. In basic terms, an "A" type switch has a sharper radius curve than a "B" type switch, and a shorter length of planing at the tip. The difference that you see when you buy a set of blades is the length of this machining, the effect being that the "A" blades will produce a more sharply diverging road than "B" type blades. (This has been keept simple, there is a lot more to it than that - particularly concerning the pre-grouping period).
What do code 75, code 125 and so on mean when talking about rail?
The code number given a rail is a standard way of describing the rail used in the model form, and represents the height of the rail expressed in thousands of an inch. Therefore, code 125 rail is an eighth of an inch high. Be warned, though, that the code does not describe the profile of the rail, which can vary.
I work in OO, and have too much stock to convert to EM or P4. Can I use C&L track with my proprietary rolling stock?
The problem with using a scale track is that scale wheels become a necessity. Over-deep flanges will hit the top of the inside jaw of the chairs, particularly on curves. The advantage of EM and P4 is that standards exist, and you can (usually) rely on wheelsets conforming to certain dimensions. This is not the case with OO yet, where you can even get two different wheel profiles on the same loco. Our advice is that, if you want to remain with OO, then wheel profiles equivalent to EM should be used - these are the kind of wheels that you would get from Alan Gibson, Sharman or Keen-Maygib. The latest Romford wheels with a RP25 profile would also work. However, the situation is not clear-cut. Some proprietary wheels do seem to be OK - We have heard of Bachmann wheels being used in EM conversions on C&L track, as an example.
An additional factor to bear in mind is that there needs to be a consistent back-to-back (or rather back-to-flange / root) measurement for reliable movements through turnouts - yet another advantage of EM and P4!
What do "A5" and "B6" etc mean as a description of a turnout template?
The code is very simple, once you know, and is based on prototype descriptions. The letter refers to the type of switch blade used (see previous question), and the number refers to the angle of the crossing, expressed as a ratio.
So, for example, a B6 turnout has a "B" type switch with a crossing angle of 1:6 - for every 6 units along, the vee widens by 1 unit. It is not immediately obvious from the description what the radius is in model form, so the following table may help.
Remember, though, there is more than one curve in a turnout, so please treat the figures, which are in feet, as approximate.
| 2mm | OO | EM | P4 | S | F7 | S7 | |
| A5 | 1.9 | 3.3 | 3.4 | 3.9 | 4.6 | 6.6 | 6.8 |
| B6 | 2.3 | 4.2 | 4.6 | 4.8 | 5.7 | 8.1 | 8.3 |
| B7 | 3.2 | 5.6 | 6.1 | 6.3 | 7.6 | 10.8 | 11.1 |
| B8 | 4.0 | 7.0 | 7.7 | 8.0 | 9.5 | 13.5 | 13.9 |
| 1:6 DS | 2.7 | 4.7 | 5.2 | 5.4 | 6.4 | 9.2 | 9.4 |
| 1:7 DS | 3.5 | 6.2 | 6.8 | 7.1 | 8.4 | 12.0 | 12.4 |
| 1:8 DS | 4.6 | 8.1 | 9.0 | 9.3 | 11.0 | 15.8 | 16.2 |
I want to use ply sleepers - how can I fix the chairs to them?
The normal solvent adhesive, Butanone, will also fix plastic chairs to ply sleepers. You will need to apply more solvent than would be necessary with a plastic to plastic joint, and you will need to keep light pressure on the joint for longer. The solvent will melt the plastic into the grain of the ply. There will not be as much strength in the joint as there would be with a plastic weld, but it should be adequate for the purpose.
I have received a C&L product - it appears to be faulty. What do I do?
It is the very nature of plastic injection mouldings that occasional flaws can occur. The staff at C&L inspect every moulding and reject anything they see as being in any way imperfect. However, a run of say 3 bolt chairs, is usually 25,000 mouldings. That is 250,000 chairs...... When dealing with this amount, it is quite possible to miss a faulty item or, (more probably), reject a moulding and then put it into the wrong bin.... C+L are not perfect and mistakes will be made.
C&L offer a 100% no quibble guarantee. If you should receive a faulty item, please return it to Brunel Models. It will be replaced.