My permanent layout is still in the design stage but I want to set up a temporary layout on a large outdoor patio so I can play with & test the stuff I already have. However, I cannot leave the layout setup all the time in some areas.
Assuming I use standard track segments (no flex track), what is a good method to put this together without assembly/disassembly of each joint when I want to run trains? I know that snap track solutions exist but that means a lot of individual connects to make/break each time I use it. That is what I am trying to avoid if possible.
I was thinking about attaching track to thin plywood strips with each piece of plywood holding several pieces of track. Have not tried that yet but I am afraid it will be too heavy and unwieldy to be practical.
Any good solutions out there?
Paul
Hi Paul,
Plywood will warp, curl, and separate if left out in the rain. There are a number of vacuum formed roadbed products on the market. They are however very expensive in my opinion. Where is it that the track needs to come out? LGB and Aristo are very durable when left on a flat solid surface. Just wondered what your concerns were? Later eh…Brian.
Paul;
Listen mate just ignore what Brian said and just do it. Put the track down anywhere you like, connect it up and away you go.
Rgds ian
Hi Paul,
In my opinion it´s also a question of storage; where to store all this prefixed track when you need your space free.
Though you´re looking for a more convenient method, I recommend to lay out your track just as it comes right out of the box:
This weekend I layed out standard track (25 meters) in my garden just to see how it will work during wintertime. I needed less than one hour, see what I did:
I layed it on both surfaces, a fixed place (flat plates on a concrete surface) where in summertime usually the outdoor chairs and a big table are situated and on grass. I just used the standard LGB railjoiners, but I added this special LGB-paste. After connecting all tracks I also cleaned the track with this special rubber, to be well prepared for running trains out in the snow. Nevertheless I´m very interested if conductivity problems will follow, but let´s see.
I tried several locos and they did their job really well, even on the grass-section.
So, just start doing and playing,
with best regards
Klaus
Are you making a “somewhat” temporary track? If you have to take it down each time you are finished I would suggest you go down to a local GI Surplus Store and purchase some gun crates in which to store track out of the way when not in use. I have done this to hold my track materials until I am ready to set up. You will just have to explain to neighbors that you are not running guns.
Aristo and USA track have little set screws that hold the sectional track together. You could assemble a series of segments (3 or 4 track sections screwed together) and use rail-clamps (Hillmans or Splitjaws) to hold the segments together. That way you could break down a patio layout into a group of segments that could be assembled and dissassembled rather quickly. The only caviet would be storage of the track segments, you would nee a larger area for them.
I can handle the storage issue…I have a 3 car garage and can dedicate one of the spots to track/etc storage.
I can leave some of the track in place for long periods because it would be around the outside of the patio. However, I have 3 spots that I do not want to keep track down when I am not using it. About 90% of the track can be down for extended periods. The remaining 10% is the issue.
With the comments so far and some others I have talked to, I think my solution will be to layout the 90% and then just bite the bullet on assemble/disassembly of the remaining 10%. I will be using Aristocraft USA brass track for this plus I will be running battery thus connectivity on the track is not an issue other than smooth connections.
Thanks for the advice. Now if I can just clear off my wifes honey do list so I can get some time to work on my own list.
You better just insert your items into the list on every other line or you’ll never get to it[:D]
My honey do list never ends. I sometimes wish I was a white collar worker with a big income who doesn’t know how to do anything but Garden R.R.[:p] That way I could hire out the list!
Try getting married for the second time, those “Honey do” lists seem to disappear and “what would you like Honey” lists seem to replace them.
Rgds Ian
Hi oldokie
If only 10% of trackage is a problem why not make a semi perminant loop
with reasonable suport so it will last a good while.
I assume the problem area is due to people traffic if this is the case get good suport under the track and level crossing it LGB track those areas they claim an elephant can walk on it.
No track has broken under my weight yet and use the semi perminat bit as part of your track plan for later by passing the problem area if this is possable. thats my[2c] worth
regards John
Paul,
Don’t pay any attention to Ian…he’s “Down under”. [;)]
Yes that is right about brass track being pretty tough, i run a wheelbarrow and my lawnmower (not running) over my rails all the ime with no ill effect.
Funny though we dropped one end of a rock and it hit the track and put a dent in it sideways. We were able to fix that though but it took a bit of time and was fairly awhward.
Regards
Ian