I present my PROTO: 87 module, that I have constructed on December 2009 / January 2010. It consists the following:
1./ The infrastructure is made by blue "dow" plastic. However, I need to built the embankment with grass (πρανή με φυτικές γαίες - in greek) by the same material.
2./ The superstructure of tracks with track-parts by BAHNSINN, consists the following:
a./ Ballast form german company "NOCH" in HO size, about 0,02mm. However, the best is from ASOA (http://www.asoa.de). The ballast has "shoulders" (/"μπαγκίνα" in greek)
b./ Laser-cut wooden sleepers (gelaserte Holzschwelle) with distance between sleepers: 650mm in prototype. The sleepers cover a lenght of 30m in prototype (Gleisjoch) = 344,82mm exactly in HO.
c./ Fastenings + rail-plates (Oberbauen + Rippenplatte / Rp) out of cast brass. The fastenings used are the "K"- type (Klemmplatte) of the ex- east and west german federal railways (DB/DR Reichsbahnoberbau). In single-sleepers the Rp16 with one "K" is used, and in double sleepers (where the rails connected / Schienenstoß), the Rp18 with 2 "K"s. I present an example of Rp18 on a double inside slip (D.K.W. / Doppelte Kreuzungs Weiche mit innenliegenden Zungen) in BDZ (Bulgarian State Railways).

d./ Rails Code70 (nickel-silver) presenting exactly the rail-prototype-profil: S49 (49,43kgrs/m) before 1960s. Epoche III. Rails must be CUT and FILED in 344,82mm, such as to cover the length of the sleepers.
The rails are soldered with fishplates (Laschen) out of etched nickel-silver from inner-side of the rails. Then drilled with 0,4mm-holls for 0,4mm-bolts to pass through. The latter are soldered as well, and the excess is cut from the outer-side of the rail. Finally, the fishplates with square bolt-heads out of etched nickel-silver are soldered from the outer side (where the excess of the bolts is removed), and the rails are connected as the prototype. It is very difficult during construction, but I have enjoyed it. The length of the module is 90m in prototype = 1034,483mm in HO, cosnsists of 3 x 30m -track-lengths in prototype = 3 x 344,82mm in HO.
The fastenings of this tracks, where used in GREECE before 1960s not only in OSE (ΟΣΕ), but also in ISAP (ΗΣΑΠ), specially the part where the rails are connected (Schienenstoß). Now, the may be seen in some old abandoned tracks, with either steel /and or wooden sleepers, and in some cases on open Line with concrete sleepers. Nevertheless, the rail-lengths are according to the german standard (15m, 30m, 60m), though the fastenings are exactly to the greek standard. The Greek Standard follow the french-system of 18m and 36m - rail-lengths.
images at imageshack missing
a little before the railway station of Katerini, April 2002. Wooden sleepers of type "AZOBE" (Wood from tropical islands / hard) with "K" fastenings (Reichsbahnoberbau) of the ex-DB/DR (German Federal Railways / German East Railways / Deutsche Bundesbahn / Deutsche Reichsbahn).
images at imageshack missing
Thanx
Dimitri


