How can I model a OO gauge conductor rail for EMUs etc?

If you're modelling the Southern region, the Underground, or any other railway that uses a conductor rail in OO gauge, the chances are you'll be wanting to add a third rail to your track, but how is it done?

The good news is that the installation of a third rail is not too difficult and can even be retrofitted to a track that's already been laid.

The rail needed to create the feature is Peco's code 60, together with special insulating chairs in which to house it, both of which are readily available from all good model shops.

The process involves laying and weathering regular track in the usual way (it doesn't matter whether you use code 75 or 100 track as Peco's chairs pack come with adaptor baseplates to accommodate either).

Once that's all done, a series of 0.8 mm holes can be drilled into every fourth sleeper along the path that the conductor rail is to be sited. The insulator chairs are then threaded onto a section of code 60 rail and the assembly is plugged into the holes using a spot of cyanoacrylate to hold it in place.

If you are adding additional detailing to your third rail, it will need to be done in a specific order. Chairs can be painted before assembly begins, this is done more for convenience than anything else because small parts are easier to paint on the sprue. However, if you are planning to 'bend down' the ends of the rails to replicate the prototype, it should be done after threading the chairs onto the rail. That is because after the rails have been bent, it will not be possible to add or remove further chairs. Finally, painting the rails should be done once the rail is installed making it easier to adequately match them to their surroundings.