wondering what techniques y'all use when joining the tracks between dominos or any modular systems. I have seen n-trak, and know I could do things their way, but I want to avoid the sectional track look (modeling n scale w/ c55 anyway). I will not be using the layout as a portable one, so I would like to not bring attention to the joints between dominos. I want my layout to be easy to move when the time comes, however. The best Idea I have come up with is to use a small block of wood on which is mounted a section of roadbed and track which is placed in a cutout area of the foam base. I can then paint and ballast the track and therefore it should blend in nicely. Is this too much work, and is there an easier or better way? Any tricks to make this easier? thanks kirk
Sounds like you have the start of a good idea. To take it a step further, do you have plywood under the foam? If so, how about mounting your piece of wood directly to the plywood, using screws coming up from underneath. That would make it easier to remove. Also, how about applying the ballast or "scenic" right over the joint, completely disguising it, and then when moving day comes, saw or cut through the covering layer?
Good question,,,, Our club has N Trak modules... we use a variety of methods to join modules (or dominoes) Most of our modules are joined by standard NTrak sections (typically ~ 4.90 in pieces of track). SOme of the modules actually use pieces of Kato "expandable" Unitrack, and one of our yard modules (not NTrak interchangable) has rails that butt up directly on each section and use rail joiners to connect. It does depend on what your subroadbed and scenery details are. Harold
Yes, good question. I'm just starting a layout on dominoes (in HO) and will get to laying track in a month or two, so you got me wondering too. My thought is that if the layout will be pretty much permanent, then butting the rails up with joiners would be simplest and best looking. But if you plan on moving it a bit - e.g. for exhibiting - then the removable sections method will avoid problems of damage to the rail ends, etc. Trouble is, I'm not sure how much I may move mine, and there are a lot of tracks crossing the joints . I think I'll probably go with the 'but-end' method and make some protective end-plates if much moving looks likely in the future. But I'm open to alternative suggestions until the track is down .
No plywood under the foam, just the framing, so it will be tough to get a cutout just right for an insert. I currently have the tracks running continuously over the joints, and ran into some issues when I made a slight (1/2") adjustment to one end of the layout. This caused the track to buckle at one joint. I originally thought the benchwork would move as one unit, as it is pretty well bolted together. DOH!! I will cut the tracks at the joints and not worry about it. At some point, I plan to add staging between the layout and the wall and will have to move the layout out about a foot. Otherwise, the layout should be able to move when I do, but other than that it is permanent. thanks kirk
