Orientation of flex-track

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

Here is a back to basics question…

When laying flex track, does it matter which rail is on the inside of the curve? One rail is typically fixed to the ties, and the other is allowed to slide. Bending the track one way opens up the ties, and the other closes the gap between them. Does this matter?

Thanks,
Jer

2

No, the track is symetrical.

3

I have been told that the sliding rail always goes to the inside of the curve. Seems to make sense, as the sliding rail can’t get longer if it is placed on the outside, but can be made shorter to go on the inside… As for the spacing of the ties - I have no idea what is more “prototypical”.

Andrew

4

Jer,

Yes – always have the moveable rail on the inside of the curve – then thats the rail that you trim to length.

Happy tracklaying !!

5

When laying tight curves I’ve found that it helps to keep the sliding rail on the outside of the curve, because it gives a little clearance for loco trucks to make the curve. The sliding rail will lean outward just a mite giving more room between the rails. I’m talking about 11 or 12 inch radius curves in N Scale. Good luck. Green River

6

All:

Thank you for the replies. In my N gauge I alternated, so the excess from one piece was used to fill the next. Guess I shouldn’t have done that, but I’m only running a street car on it so not big deal. The HO layout will be more complex, so I want to get this right.

Thanks!
-Jer

7

I place the sliding rail on the inside of the curve because then I can trim that rail and I am done setting up that piece of track. I don’t know how the folks who say the sliding rail goes outside the curve make up for the missing length. I’m sure it can be done, but it just sounds like more work. Prototypically, I doubt it matters because their curves are so much flatter than ours. Good luck - Ed