Rail Nips/Track Cutters...You Get the Idea!

I am now home for the summer and the next year as I have finished my post-secondary education in New Brunswick.  This means it is time to focus a little bit more on my layout! :)

As any wise model railroader knows, in order to lay track you need a hammer of some sort and some track spikes.  For myself, a total amateur, I was unaware of other things you may need, and so I will list them here as recommend to me by other modellers.

Finish hammer

Pin vice

Nail set

Drill bit set

Razor saw

Rail nippers

And of course...track spikes

For this particular post, I'd like to focus on the rail nippers.

Now many of you probably are fussy (in a good way), with which brand of track cutters you use.  That is not a bad thing at all!  For myself, someone who is getting married within the next little while, I am looking to save as much money as possible!  I know you can go the cheap route and suffer with crappy cuts to the rail, or even use a dremel and smooth off the edges as you cut your track, but I wanted to remain old school, so here's what was recommended to me!

Duane Porter of the Halifax & Southwestern Railway Museum is a longtime friend, and is always offering great advice and tips for cheap frugal modelling.He suggested I bring in a pair of pliers to his museum and he would sand them down to be completely flat on one side.  The suggestion was made back in December, and since I had little to no time while I was home for Christmas break, yesterday was the day to get it done!

Without any further ado, I present to you the before and after photos.  Note: I took all four as I was completely clueless as to what would work and what wouldn't!

Before

After

Here is a link to the Halifax & Southwestern Railway Museum, located in Lunenburg, NS.  Make sure to drop by if you're ever in the area!

http://www.hswmuseum.ednet.ns.ca/Home.html

Thanks again Duane!

- Caleb