Re-using HO track saves money, but it can be a pain.........

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

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,

2

I know exactly what you are talking about. I just finished laying the main line on my new layout. I am using HO Peco code 100. This is the fourth layout that I have used the same track for, and it is a huge pain to prep each piece before it can be reused. I have always used elmers glue to lay track, and it works well in that you can soak the used pieces in the bath tub and the old glue will soften and can be scrubbed off. Still, it’s a lot of extra work. If I ever build another layout, I will probably invest in new code 83 track, but will probably use the old stuff again for the staging areas. Maybe it is because of using the old track, but I have gotten to where I hate laying track. I am very picky about laying the track as perfectly as I can, and the old track makes it very difficult. This hobby is so expensive that I try to save money anywhere I can, though somtimes it makes things a lot less fun and a lot more of a chore.

3

Windshield washer solvent for your car works great for cleaning used ballasted track. When I built my last module it was all recycled track and turnouts. To remove the track from the old module all I did was soak a rag with the windshield washer fluid and lay it on the track for about an hour. Thin putty knife under the ties and carefully lift the track cutting feeders as you go. Put the track in a shallow tub and soak it in the stuff for as long as you like (I have left it for days once) and scrub with an old tooth brush. let dry and reuse. Any way to save $$ helps. A gallon of windshield wash is about $2.00. Five pieces of flex track about $7.00.

Pete

4

Been there, done that, have the T-shirt…[(-D]

Took a plastic trash bag, put in about 5 gallons of shower-hot water, dosed liberally with dish washing detergent, inserted track, squeezed out the air and tied the bag shut. Left in the bathtub overnight. Decanted debris-filled water into bucket, which was emptied in the side yard and allowed to biodegrade. Then I laid the track out in the yard and sprayed it with the garden hose to de-soap it. Not fresh as new, but good enough for hidden staging.[^]

Trouble is, this layout is so much bigger than my biggest old one that I ran out of re-lay flex - and I’m well short of half way with my hidden trackage.[:O]

Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)

5

Good Morning!

Ahhh, its good to hear that others “share my pain”. And I obviously agree that re-using track takes some of the fun out of track laying - particularly if one takes pride in putting down “bullet proof” trackage.

I have to say that some of my problem is that my last layout was built 14 years ago, when my eyes and dexterity were in better shape. And coupled with the fact that my level of “good enough” is still pretty high when it comes to tracklaying (and benchwork and wiring), the process is more difficult.

My light at the end of the tunnel is that once the lower level is done, I can put in the main level and should find it easier to work as it will be easier to access.

For all I’ve said, this hobby is still the greatest, and I am having fun!!!

Mobilman44

6

Keep the “Once I get to the main, the track laying will be easier” attitude, and you’ll get through the re-used stuff and be on to the new good track before you know it. Just hang in there! [;)] I personally hate re-using track. My patience can get short when pulling up old track that I tend to have twists and possibly kinks by the time I’m done. [banghead] But I will save the few that are decent.