I would like to use atlas true track on the grand valley layout mde by Woodland scenices. There are some sizes of track that do not come as standard from Atlas. Can this track and roadbed be cut. If it can, how do you do it and how do you attach it to the other tracks since you will have cut off the connecting tabs. This is HO scale.
Tom
Yes you can cut rail I use a sort of tool that’s similar to pliers except the part that you would normally use to grab things points on both sides to form a sort of cutting edge. T use it I just force my way through the rail and ties. For the connection part just cut of a tie or the little plastic bit in front of it to make room for the joiner. Oh and after you cut it you WILL need to file the end straight and flat.
Other people use rail nippers but according my dad they’re the same thing.
Actually, what I did was to separate the track and roadbed, measure the track carefully, cut the track. Then cut the roadbed in the middle, figure out how many ties are on the cut track, and re cut the roadbed so the two ends with the clips are the length you need, and glue the roadbed back together. Works very well
Thanks for the info. When you cut the track for a curved piece, isn’t the outside track going to be longer than the inside track?( I was lousy in math in school). Also is there any special kind of cement that you used to glue the new cut piece back to the connecting piece. I have rail nippers and I also have the saw with a miter. Which, in your experience, have you found better.
Tom
The outside rail on a curved piece shouldn’t be longer then the inside rail if you cut correctly to make sure they are the same length as the other one.
Actually, the inner rail will be shorter. I don’t know how much shorter though(forgot that little tidbit of math).
EDIT:
I just measured a section of 22" track I had laying around, the outer rail is approx 1/8" longer than the inner one. I got the measurements by cutting a piece of string as long as the outer rail, then cutting that string as long as the inner rail and measuring the short piece from the second cut.
Glue the roadbed back together with high quality cement like Tenax7 or Weldbond. I added small reinforcenments from styrene underneath. On cutting the track your cut needs to be perpendicular to the centerline. You need a small square and a steel rule. Lay the steel rule along the out side of the track, touiching the curve right where you need the cut. Use the square to mark the line across the track by making the square and the rule parallel and the 90 leg will show you where to cut both rails.
I like the sound of these directions. I will give it a try tonite. I’ll let you know how I made out. Thanks for the info!!!’
Tom
I followed your directions and it worked out perfectly the first time I tried it. You are a lifesaver! Thanks for your help and a lot of thanks to all the other guys that offered suggestions.
Tom