New Track/Testing Project

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I have developed a new idea for one of my test tracks:

While we modelers do all we can to get the best trackwork we are able to there are still kinks and pops in most layouts. I have one where the flextrack joint is right as the line tops a steep grade, and it causes derailments and the worst times.

So my idea is thus: to better tune my rolling stock to be as smooth as possible in a variety of track conditions I have made a test track with the worst trackwork I can immagine. I went and pulled out my old brass code 86 section track dating from the late 70s and 80s, mixed several manufacturers and as I spiked it, I made sure to leave some gaps now and then. Also instead of just a simple oval this test track has lots of switches (in varying degrees of quality,) a side loop with 18inch radius, and a killer S-curve on a grade.

Since I put in this test track yesterday I’ve started improving the roll and electrical pickup of my fleet as well as some vast improvements on the settings and programing of my DCC!

2

Metro, Seems to me it would be less work and head aches to repair your bad track then to rework all your rolling stock to run on it. I may not be seeing the whole picture though.

3

We had a similar situation on a club layout when I first joined. It seems to me that a simpler solutiion for you would be to redo the flex track so that joint is not right at the top of the hill and causing a sudden transition, instead of having to rework all of your rolling stock.

4

I have fixed lots of my trackwork, and I think it is actually quite good. But I also run my stock on some of my friends’ layouts and some clubs so I have to have it ready for a variety of track qualities.