This may have been asked before but a search turned up nothing. I just bought some Atlas code 55 track (new) and while looking through it all I noticed a few damaged pieces of track. The most obvious damage is to one of the turnouts were one of the switch points is curved the wrong way, so much so that all my rolling stock derails on it. So my questions are, what is the recommended way of repairing out of gauge/damaged track? Does the same thing apply for switch points? Is it okay to install the track and then repair it latter? I don’t have a track gauge, (LHS was out of them [:(!][banghead]) is this a necessity?
As far as the track goes, you will need the gauge. The easiest way to fix it is to put a hot soldering iron on the rail, NOT THE TIES! This makes the ties a little soft. Put in the gauge, remove the soldering iron and let the track cool. Recheck the track.
On the turnout, if it’s bent badly, replace the entire turnout. You’ll save yourself a lot of agggravation. If it’s only bent a little, you may be able to straighten it with a needle nose pliers. I would just replace the entire unit.
I agree with Jeffrey. You can use the not so great track in a yard, or on seldom used industrial track, and it should look great weathered with flock grass in and around it. It doesn’t even have to be in gauge or usable, but the gee-whiz aspect would come from watching a switcher shoving a couple of boxcars down it at walking speed.
As for the turnouts, I would pass them by. If you are quite confident, patient, and skilled, by all means tackle them, but they are the most troublesome part of trackage when they are in good order, let alone when they are dinged and neglected.
Damaged -new or not - render it useless. Replace it. Deal with who you bought it from.
NEW PRODUCTS carry a warrantee . Replacement or refund. Dealer can get replacents from Distributor, Factory etc. EXception is abuse, misuse, or if you bouht it 2nd hand…
Something doesn’t smell right here. Atlas products are pretty reliable. DealerS can get replacements.
Sounds like a Seller scam on Ebay. If so, you’re on your own .