Carrier Track Variations

[Lynn Eades]

So, now we need an explanation of the difference between Swiss track and Modified Swiss track

[rob love]

I saw a few different casting letters and marks on these tracks that i have not seen on Ford track. Could it be the Swiss made their molds from existing Canadian or British track?

I have not knocked the pin end cap off the T-16 to see what holds it on. I assume underneath it is the track pins with the cotter pin hole that we procure from the US. I guess I could (and will) pop that one pin back through that has worked part way through and see what is in there.

When I get back to work, I'll get some better shots of the various cast marks on the swiss track.


Just guessing here, but could it be that the swiss wanted a better system of end caps than the British/Canadian track used. They may have narrowed the track to accommodate for the thicker end cap. There is not a lot of room to spare around the fenders...I have seen front fender skirts that show wear from the track rubbing on them.

[rob love]

Here are a couple of shots showing the shorter Swiss pin and a regular Cdn pin. The track link is the regular width Canadian type.

[Lynn Eades]

Thank you Rob.
So it looks like the Swiss shaved 1/4 inch off each end of the std track.
Those track pins would go well in Australia, I'd think. Just need to cut them down? (for the lead plug track)

As an aside. I read that in 1939 England, the track links were hardened to reduce wear and in the pin hardening process the ends of the pins were copper plated to prevent those parts of the pin from being affected by the hardening.

[rob love]

I had hoped to get enough of those pins to do a complete track, but the seller's price on them was something like $3 each in USD. The first batch I bought I got for a deal at the end of a show, and got 100 or so. I think I got another 60 at another show. So I have enough to repair one side of a track. My current track is well worn, but I have another set or two in the yard, so no rush to install these pins.

[Jack Geratic]

Will there be any discussion here about the bogie and sprocket dimensions, or would it require a separate thread?

[Lynn Eades]

Jack what do you need to know on the sprockets? It might be better to start a new thread.