I’ve just started hand laying track after not doing so for about 25 years. My question is are there any secrets to laying the track straight? I’ve started by hand laying some track in one of my existing yards and the one section I’ve laid so far (about 3’) is kind of wiggly. It actually looks good for the type of yard its in but I’d like to re-lay some mainline and would like it arrow straight. Any tips?
Draw a good center line for the ties then use an assortment of 6", 8" and 12" steel straight edges to help align one rail as it is glued down using pilobond, then use a normal track gauge to lay the other rail. Spike as desired. Makes the track arrow straight.
Actually a yard stick is nearly indispensable for laying long sections of straight track - whether you are handlaying track or using flex track.
-George
lay the ends first, have a straight edge like a ruler, spike the middle, the 1.4-3/4’s areas and fill in, eyeballing all the way, respike where needed.
What I do is follow the examples put forward by John Armstrong in “Track Planning for Operation”. I set my center marks and swing my curves. Then I snap a chalk line, offsetting it maybe a half inch off the curves. This gives me two things: automatic easements, and arrow straight centerlines. jc5729 John Colley, Port Townsend, WA
I use a four foot steel ruler/straight edge I picked up at Staples. Very useful for a lot of things.
If you have a table saw. Take a length of board and cut some shallow grooves the exact distant apart of the rails. Set the rails inside the grooves now slide it along as you spike.
Eyeball it, or buy a metal Straightedge (about 4’).