before I pull what is left of the hair out of head… ( which isn’t much) can someone show me or tell me how do I cut the track on a hinged lift up section of the layout…
It is small section used to enter the inside of the layout… I have tried cutting it at 2 angles and even straight down… and it doesn’t work… this is the end by the hinges… I feel like it is something real simple…
what am I doing wrong? If I can get this completed then the rest of the layout is easy to get some trains running…
I can’t quite tell from the photos, but is the axis of the hinge higher than the tops of the rails? If not, no matter what angle you cut the rail, the rails on the hinged section will interfere with the rail on the stationary section when you try to lift the hinged section.
The hinge point needs to be at the same height as the roadbed and the angled cut right over the gap. Mount some shims and turn the hinge upside down. You should then only need a slight angle cut and the rail gap can be minimal (1/16").
You could also use strap hinges and offset them back about 1/2 inch which would allow the movable section to rise higher.
Ahhhhhhaa, the difference in our hinge, mine is below the board and makes a longer arc and yours in inline with the trac and the track swings bact into the layout side.
perhaps---------\-o----------------/---- may do it however this may still bind
Looks to me you may need a different hinge design, perhaps a kitchen cabinet hinge that has the pivot over the top of the track, perhaps a 1/2 inch or more… so that the arc of the swing will clear the track.
Take a look at your front door of your house, the hinge is set inside (this would be above the track) and notice the arc as it closes.
I hope im not confusing you, I gotttta headache LOL. John
thanks for the advice &info… I raised the hinges alittle and messed around with it… we now have trains running… been so long… so just an engine & track cleaning car… but it 's a start…
