Joining Tubular Track

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

Are there any tricks to getting new tubular track to join together tightly? It seems that no matter how much force that I use, I can never get the rails to but together tightly. There is always a gap of an 1/8" of an inch or so because of the rail pin.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

2

In the back of CTT there is a device for sale for joining track. It’s a little vice that pulls the track together. I don’t have a copy here at work, but I’m sure someone can give you the info.

3

When I was building my layout I looked into that clamping device, unless you were into a major layout, or a pro builder, it seemed pretty pricey. I used a block of wood and light hammer to drive the tracks together. With some pins there is a slight ridge/ring at the center and if you force the rail over this there is a slight bulge at the joint.

4

What I usually do is join them together with a rocking motion that tends to sort of spread out the opening and make them go together easier. I have also heard of people going one rail at a time, although I never have tried it.

5

What brand are you using? I have never had this problem with Lionel, Marx, nor K-Line.

6

I recently purchased a bunch of Lionel O27 track and experienced the same thing. The fit between the pins and the rails is extremely tight, which is a good thing. My buddy at the hobby shop told me lightly lubricating the pins helps the problem.

Jim

7

Thanks for all of the replies. I have been using Lionel O-Gauge track. What type of lubricant did you use for your track?

8

Watch out on using lubricant, it may affect the electrical continuity through the joint.

9

As long as the lubricant does not have any solid non-conducting particles in it (e.g. teflon) it should be fine.

Daniel Lang

10

I do what Roger does: Use a small block of wood and a light hammer to gently tap the rail ends together. Works fine for both O27 and O gauge tubular track (any make).

11

I don’t use the trackpins. I solder the sections together.

12

Here’s a scan of the track vise ad that was referred to above, from the CTT mag:

http://ca.geocities.com/ambassador_martok/1dayfiles/Ttracker2.jpg