This may be a dumb question. I am laying atlas code 100, HO scale track. Which side of the track goes to to inside, especially in curves. The side where every other tie is cut ,does this go on the inside or outside?
The side with the cuts is the movable rail. Usually that would go on the inside. some debate on this, but most put it on the inside.
Bend the track. Note that one side starts to protrude. You should use that side as the inside since the other side won’t move. Otherwise the side that is solid to the ties will have to be cut shorter and ties eliminated. Whereas with the sliding side on the inside, you keep more ties and total track length.
Be sure to have an inch or two offset between the outside and inside rial joining. On the second piece of flex track when you bend it, have the rail protrude back to the piece you just laid. There should be 4 to 8 ties on the inside without rail. Just insert the protruding rail into the tie plates of the first flex track piece. You may have to undercut or cut off one or two ties so the metal joiner can be inserted. As you go forward the protrusions become useful then. You will still cut the same amount of rail out since their is an inside arc length and outside arc length.
Richard
While you’re holding it also turn it over. You’ll see small holes under some of the ties. Those are for nails. You just use a drill bit to finish the hole from underneath. drill not needed, just twist the bit with your fingers. Also in the middle of the flex section is a spot where the rails are seen underneath. This is where you pre-solder feeder wires if yo are going to do so. It hides it nicely.