Hi!
Just wanted to chat a bit about re-using HO track in the building of my new (replacement) 11x15 HO layout…
The old layout of two levels was demo’d in January, and I salvaged over 250 feet of Atlas code 100 NS flextrack. As the old track was soldered, I used a rail nipper to remove about 1/2 inch from each end. As that track was attached to roadbed with track nails, the bottoms are pretty clean. However a good portion of the track had been ballasted with glue/water mixture, and much of the rails were painted on the sides. Also, a plethora of Atlas #6 and #4 turnouts were saved as well.
The new layout is estimated to take up between 275-300 feet, and have several of the new Atlas #8 turnouts, and some of the recycled # 6s and a few #4s. Soooo, I bought the # 8s, and two 25 piece boxes of flextrack and as they say, “I’m good to go”…
Well, I decided early on that the new track would be used on the mainlines, and the salvaged track for everything else. The bottom level benchwork has been built, roadbed put down and track for the storage and staging is about half in place. And, wiring is in place for the track that has already been spiked.
On the surface, this all sounds great. But, using the old track is a pain - consisting of finding a suitable piece, cleaning it, cutting it, filing, removing any feeders, and cleaning the ends so solder will adhere. In short, it takes about twice as long to lay track (properly) as it would using all new stuff.
I had thought about just selling it all on Ebay, but selling track/turnouts could easily be more trouble than its worth. Soooo, I’ll just tell you all my “tale of woe”, shut the lights in the layout room, and return tomorrow with hopefully a better attitude.
Until tomorrow,