The PSS TMSystem is designed specifically for Proto:87 operation, but with some restrictions, can also be used in many situations for HO, HOm, P4 and even OO.  It will operate with either 2-rail, or overhead, DC or DCC wiring.

The PSS TM System comprises a set of precision preformed straight and curved, solid Nickel Silver girder (tram) rail sections, of a very low, flat profile, simulating just the visible very top of the railhead. These are used in conjunction with a wide range of strips of pre-textured street surfaces of matching height, to give the appearance of "girder rail" buried in the street.

The flat rails are merely glued to a convenient, flat street base in the track arrangement and gauge desired and then, the chosen, textured street surface cut and placed to match.

Absolutely no complicated or skilled rail bending required!  Accurately preformed curved sections are available to fit single or double track working. However, they are sufficiently flexible to adjust for installation as standard, narrow or even dual gauge configurations.

A wide variety of Pre-formed street track switches and crossings for the PSS TM System are in processs for introduction later in 2005. These will eventually include all the parts to make many common varieties of special work up to and including the impressive "Grand Union" configuration.

Specifications and other data:

The PSS TM System Rail has a precision chemically milled grooved simulated rail head and flangeway approximately 0.7 mm  high and 2mm wide. (See the picture of the rail profile ). The simulated rail can be placed directly on a street subsurface, so that the rail web and base appear to be buried in the street. While the rail can fully operate, even if placed alone on a finished street surface, the greatest realism is achieved by building up the surrounding street surface by 0.5 mm. (0.020").  This is also the thickness of the textured steet surface material we provide. We do not recommend a greater thickness, as the slight height difference (0.2 mm) allows for more reliable running and easy cleaning of the rail without damaging the finished street surface.

For ease of assembly and installation, the rail head is also grooved on the underside. This groove fits short alignment pins which act as precision rail joiners and also as as location guides, if pre-glued to the street subsurface.  As the rail is solid NS, it may be easily soldered. However it is possible to make all solder joints invisibly underneath the rail by using the alignment pins and/or power wiring strips (Full instructions to be provided here later)

With some limitations, PSS TM may be used with Regular HO or HOm Cars. This is because the prototypically shallow floored flangeway of PSS TM  allows the tips of finer wheels such as RP 25 to run on their flanges, without fouling the Proto:scale width flangeway.  While wheel guidance is reduced under these circumstances, completely satisfactory operation can often be possible at scale speeds, provided the wheelsets have a consistent back to back setting and a small reduction in track gauge is implemented. Operation with the reduced gauge is referred to as "HO compatible mode"

Note the Track Section kits include a small amount of uncut alignment pin wire. The first straight and curved rail components of the PSS TM immediately available are:

GRS4       Straight track sections kit,  - $5.95
                (per pack of 4 x 10 cm sections)
                Approximately 40 cm or 16" of straight track

GRS8       Straight track sections kit,  - $11.95
                (per pack of 8 x 10 cm sections)
                Approximately 80 cm or 32" of straight track

GRC08    20 cm (8 inch) nominal radius curved track sections kit, - $8.95
                (per pack of 6 x 30 degree sections,
                to make one complete half circle of track)

GRC10    25 cm (10 inch) nominal radius curved track sections kit, - $11.95
                (per pack of 8 x 22.5 degree sections,
                to make one complete half circle of track)

GRCJ      Pack of Extra Spare Conductive rail end alignment pins.
                 Supplied in uncut 6" wire lengths  - $1.95
                 (For aligning and joining rail ends  - enough for ~ 50 joints)

GRIJ        Pack of Extra Spare Insulating rail end alignment pins.
                 Supplied in uncut  6" lengths - $1.95
                 (For aligning insulated rail joints - enough for ~ 50 joints)

GRPJ       "Flat Wiring System" TM  Kit  - $3.95
                  Pack of 10 Power conductive strips and Insulator pads
                 Supplied in packs of 10 conductive strips
                (For the invisible attachment of power wires under the street surface)

GGP87     Proto:87 Precision FixedTrack gauge - $19.95

GGP4       Proto:76 (P4) Rolling Track gauge -TBA

GGHO     Standard HO matching Rolling Track gauge - $5.95

GGHOM  Standard HOm matching Rolling Track gauge -TBA

The available street surfaces are also accurately scaled for HO with fine fine stone or brick detail and minor natural random blemishes. Except as otherwise noted, these highly durable plastic surfaces are supplied in a neutral beige/grey stone color which can be  painted and weathered for an extremely realistic final finish.  Note that these fine surfaces are intended for use as needed for ultra track realism within the narrow confines of the loading gauge of the street trackage and median.  The remainder of the street area can be finished traditionally and economically with painted wood, card or plaster as appropriate.

Further varieties of street surface will be introduced later.

SS01        Smooth texture Surface - $3.95 
                RHS of picture -  Suitable for painting as Concrete or Asphalt
                (pack of 5 track bed strips,
                 each approx. 6" by 2" )
SS02        Cut Rectangular Stone  Street Surface - $4.95 
                 LHS of picture  (Traditional Setts)
                 (pack of 5 track bed strips,
                 each approx. 6" by 2" )
SS03        Molded Square Stone Street Surface - $4.95 
                 (Modern Setts)
                 (pack of 5 track bed strips,
                 each approx. 6" by 2" )
SS04        Random Round Stone Surface - $4.95 
                (Modern Simulated Cobblestones)
                (pack of 5 track bed strips,
                 each approx. 6" by 2" )
SS05        Worn Old Stone Surface - $4.95 
                (Traditional Rectangular Cobblestones)
                (pack of 5 track bed strips,
                 each approx. 6" by 2"
SS06        Mixed Red Brick Surface - $4.95 
                (Two brick sizes)
                (pack of 5 track bed strips,
                 each approx. 6" by 2" )
SS07        Large Paving Slab Surface - $4.95 
                (Traditional European Sidewalk)
                (pack of 5 track bed strips,
                 each approx. 6" by 2" )
SS08        Plain Red Brick Surface - $4.95 
                (Single brick size - custom cut and shaping shown)
                (pack of 5 track bed strips,
                 each approx. 6" by 2" )
 
 

This WEB page last updated on 3/8/05. All illustrations, products and product designs are copyright of their respective owners, whether acknowledged or otherwise. All rights reserved.