Snipping rail - top to bottom? N Gauge

[Walkingthedog]

Xuron have never given me any problems, rarely had to use a file. Just don’t cut through the plastic as well, just the rail.

[Brian]

I have used a top to bottom Xuron cutter for years and main thing is they only cut the rail cleanly on one side of their cutting head. The other side is a rougher cut. So you intend to use the rough sides cut off rail you end up either filling the rougher side flat and true or turning the cutters around and re cut the bad end off, assuming there is sufficient rail for the section its to fit once trimmed.

That said, I still use a flat needle file on the correctly cut rail end to remove any burrs on the rails foot underside and the upper portion of the rail foot. This allows a much easier fitting of both metal or Nylon rail joiners.

[Walkingthedog]

I agree Brian it is better to file the end if fitting nylon fishplates.

[Brian]

I agree Brian it is better to file the end if fitting nylon fishplates.

Absolutely! A file to smooth off burrs is the next best tool after the Xuron cutter.