I'm starting my second layout. On my first, I used sectional track only. I want to use flex track on this one. I recently received my first flex track. I need to to know how to connect it to the rest of my track. Thanks Chip
You will need to buy some rail joiners. They look like the same thing that you used to join your sectional track. Atlas and Peco both manufacture joiners that suit their track.
You will need some good tools to lay the track, Xucon rail nippers for example. When you bend the track the outside rail slips in and the inside rail slips out, so you need to trim the rails as you lay the track. To hold the track in place you will need to tack it down. Then again it depends on your sub road bed. On my layout the track is tracked down with track pins onto a foam roadbed layed out on fiberboard (MDF) Get yourself a good track hammer. A pair of needle nose plyers, great for pushing rails together. I solder the rail joiners of curves it prevents the rail forming kinks at the joins. Have fun and post some pics of your progress Chip
Chip, one addition to Ken's tips. Solder first the tracks and bend them in the second step. This way you will not get kinks. You can also use the rail joiner spots to solder feeders. Before ballasting you can spot the missing ties. I use there wooden ties, you can sand them. Under the rail joiner is less space. Wolfgang
All good advice above, all I want to add is watch for rises and dips where the rails connect together. This isn't real critical with most diesels but steamers will pick them out every time.
Are you using Atlas code 100? I read that you should keep in mind that the "sliding" rail should be on the inside of the curve. With code 83 Atlas flex both rails "slide", so it doesn't matter.
Thanks for the info. I`m using Atlas code 83. So far it`s been a pain in the butt. The info you all have given me should be quite helpful. What kind of tacker are you refering to Ken? Right now I`m just laying out my track on top of 1-inch foam board ( on top of my bench-work ) to determine my layout and if it will work or not. Thanks again guys Chip
The tack hammer I refer to will be inappropriate for you if you are laying track on foam board. I asume that you will glue the track down. I have never used foam before, (maybe on some future layout) so maybe do a search of the forums to find info on how others have gone about this task.
Chip, why is it you are finding the flex a "pain in the butt"? My experience is quite the opposite, I am curious to find out if there is a simple solution to your situation. Michael
