Plarail Height Clearances, Limitations, and other helpful bits.

I could not find a thread containing details for all the clearances and limitations for Plarail's loading gauge so I decided to make my own thread. 
[b]I figured a thread like this would be helpful, and that it would go here as it serves as a guide for making customs and 3d prints to fit under the height limit Plarail has set.[/b]
[b]I intend to come back to this thread and update it with more information whenever I have the chance to (and if there is any specific info requested).[/b]


Plarail's Loading Gauge and Height Clearance (July 12, 2022)

Plarail's loading gauge sits at 5.35 centimeters. They design their products in the metric scale and the risers stand at a 6 cm clearance. The rails add a height of around 0.45 cm, or 4.5 mm, which in turn gives engines and rolling stock a height limit of 5.35 centimeters, which they cannot go over. Any higher than this and the tops may scratch or get caught up on risers or may not fit under it at all and will just get stuck.

See Thomas, who sits at about 5.8 cm with the added height of rails.


See Fergus, who sits at about 6.5 cm with the added height of rails.

the older plarail bridge risers will not have that problem.

[Super]

Are you referring to the Vintage Tomy Dark Blue Track Risers Leyland?

yes, the blue vintage track risers

[Super]

Thanks Leyland, do you know how much taller they are from the yellow?

I actually own 4 of the old ones and I know that the yellow ones are 4 risers tall and the older ones 6 tall

[Super]

Wow, I knew they were taller but an 1.5" taller?

I dont have a ruler with me. THE photos i attached will give you a rough idea how much taller theold dark blue bridge risers are

[Super]

Thanks Leyland
Looking at the side x side photo it looks like the red riser is actually another 1/4" or so, taller than the two short yellow ones which makes it getting close to almost doubling the standard yellow 3" riser.

Some actual measurements:

Plarail J-14 Block Pier / Tomica World 7489 Rail Girder
Stacking height 66mm, clearance from rail running surface 54mm.

Plarail J-15 Mini Pier / Tomica World 7500 Rail Bridge Support
Stacking height 16.5mm (i.e one quarter of Block Pier height)

Tomy Train 1305 Girder, red
Stacking height 110mm, clearance from rail running surface 95mm.

Stacking height of J-14 + (2x J-15) = 99mm
Stacking height of 1305 = 110mm
Stacking height of J-14 + (3x J-15) = 115.5mm