Is there a temporary track technique?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Ok, it might be a stupid question but that wouldn’t be a first for me, I just tacked in the WS inclines to get the first step from plan to trains. Sure did make the over all vision even more tangible. The brain started to picture a train coming around the corner and start down the grade… but that will have to wait for a little while longer……Or does it?

Is there a quick and easy way to secure Atlas code 83 HO flex track so I can run a train to test the grade, see the train, and have a few minutes of fun before I press on? Nothing to fancy or costly, just looking for a way to secure the track to the incline and not mess up the track for when it comes to really use it?

Thanks

ratled

2

If you need to hold the track a bit more securely than tacks or pins, try dabs of hot glue. Use just enough to keep the track in place.

3

What’s the incline made of ? .I personally use white pva glue .but if made of wood lightly tack down that should hold temp for a test

Gav

4

My layout base is 2-inch pink foam. I take paper clips and re-bend them into a U-shape, and then use these to hold down the track. It’s certainly not permanent, but I have a section that’s been down like that for close to 2 years now, still awaiting the surrounding scenery. Yeah, I did it so I could just run trains.

I use the same technique to hold the track down while the latex caulk dries.

5

I would use O scale spikes and just enough to hold the track in place and it doesn’t require all that much…I have laid “test” track and use nothing to hold it in place and it worked just fine when I ran a engine and 2 cars…

Again,don’t forget the very basics of the hobby and how kids can lay a loop of track on the floor(not recommended with snap track) and run trains.

6

I used 1 1/2 inch long fabric pins. They’re still held down that way, even though some of the track is ballasted.

7

Working with a sandwich of cardstock (track template,) foam (fan-fold underlayment) and plywood, I make my first ‘proof of concept’ track installation with track nails. On concrete-tie track I use cut-off fabric pins. Then I clip test leads to the rails and run my designated derailment checker (2-8-2 D50380.) If it stays on the track, I lift the flex, apply grey caulk and put the flex down permanently. If it doesn’t, I troubleshoot and tweak until it does.

Depending on my mood and other committments, the ‘temporary track nail’ phase has lasted up to a couple of weeks.

Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)

8

On my extruded foam insulation, plain 'ol track tacks holds it down quite nicely. (In fact, in some spot, for 3+ years.) The one downside is that you can’t use the same hole because it looses its friction grip. If I do have to use the same hole, I just angle the track tack slightly so that it bites into fresh foam.

Tom

9

Tee pins about 1" long. They hold very well, will cover two ties and will not interfere with coupler hoses.

10

Almost every model rail finds it necessary at one time or another for one reason or another to put down temporary trackage. I’m not familiar with these track inclines - I’m not inclined to buy things I can make myself - but I am sure they are made from a material designed to grip track nails. Lay down your track and - very loosely mind you - use A FEW of these track nails to hold things in place while you take a gander at how things look. When you are ready for permanent attachment just pull out the track nails and then put things in final positioning.

11

I use plywood and homasote, and spike it down.

maybe wlathers goo if no other good method if not using my method?

you can pull apart goo later.

12

Thanks for all of the replies. I really liked MisterBeasley’s paperclip idea and the cost was just what I had in mind. I also liked, and went with, Tyler’s fabric pins - still in the right price range, easy to get at Wally World and no time investment.

Like MisterBeasley said “Yeah, I did it so I could just run trains.”

ratled

13

The fabric pins are basically the same pins Woodland Scenics boxes up and sells as track pins, you use them to pin the foam to the benchwork until you glue it. It works fine to hold the track in place too, at least with sectional or track-with-roadbed where the (flex)track isn’t fighting to straighten back out.