What started out as trying to fix one joint on a curve thats jumping lightweight cars and an occasional loco off the track; has turned into tearing up the entire curve down to the sub roadbed and re-laying. I tried to fix that joint, then I tried a piece of flex track, but no matter where that joint is on that curve I can’t get a flat car to roll through it without jumping. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Sorry, had to vent!!! [soapbox]
Has anyone else experienced an avalanche? I’m sure you have, let’s hear some stories.
Nary a one. It’s true. Your benchwork and trackwork are the foundations of your empire and the sources of your greatest frustrations. Hang in there, Altoona. Send the MOW crew out and fix that pesky joint.
If you have to have a joint in a curve, the best thing to do is solder the joint before laying the track. You may have to cut a few ties at the joint to make the flextrack flex to the curve without binding, but that is corrected much easier than having to pull up the track. Another case of been there, done that, won’t do it that way again! [:(]
Also, get a cheap postal scale, and weigh all your cars. Most cars are lighter than NMRA standard, and need additional weight. I typically have to add 1 to 1-1/2 oz. The hard part is adding the weight to a closed car like a tank or covered hopper. I got some BBs at the sporting goods counter at Wal-Mart. Drill a hole in the bottom or other place that is out of sight. Weigh the car then weigh BBs in a small container until the total weight meets standards. Mix the BBs with some silicone caulk and shove the mess in the hole. It is a good idea to put masking tape around the hole to keep the mess off the car body.
Well I lucked out after all. I was very frustrated last night and took some time to think it over. I had soldered two pieces flex track together a while ago that I was going to use on my initial incline stretch so I just started at one side and tacked as I went( thank goodness I didn’t glue it down yet. ) and when I got to the end I just nipped it off and ground it down. Perfect fit and no more derailments. The only small problem is that the track is not centered on the roadbed in the back corner, but that’s going to be covered by a tunnel anyhow.
I had a spot like that. I finally just got tired of the derailments, ripped up the track and replaced it. Now, probably a year later and no more derailments at that spot, I’m certainly glad I did it.
Nobody lays all their track perfectly the first time. So, we either live with problems, fix the track or give up the hobby completely. Fixing the track is the right way to go, even if it’s annoying to have to do it.
Besides, the prototypes have to do this on occasion, too.
) and when I got to the end I just nipped it off and ground it down. Perfect fit and no more derailments. The only small problem is that the track is not centered on the roadbed in the back corner, but that’s going to be covered by a tunnel anyhow.