When you have two seperate tables, how do you disconnect the track between the tables?
I’ve seen on modules, where they lay track up to a point 1/2 of a straight section away from each edge (if you’re in HO, then that would be 4.5", or half of a 9" straight section). They then use normal rail joiners (four of 'em) to connect one module to another using the straight section. Note that in all the modular standards I’ve seen, feeders are also run between modules- don’t depend on this between-the-modules bridge to carry power.
I can imagine that it would be possible, albeit tricky, to do the same thing on a corner using a curved section.
I can also imagine using flex-track to do the same thing if there are alignment problems, but would think that anything other than VERY minor differences would lead to a kink at the connectors, and lots of derailment problems.
On my own, where I’ve got a couple of simple staging tracks which can be attached off the end of a 4x6 portable, I just made the track on the staging tracks a little bit longer, so that they bridge the gap themselves.
Brian Pickering
If you are highly skilled and determined, you can find a way to make the modules align essentially identically every time. If so, you could reasonably take your rails to the very edges of each module, providing you were able to protect them if they were stored or moved…that is the catch with this arrangement.
I believe that the conventional approach is to leave the fixed rails on each module a distance back, as stated above, and have a standard drop-in piece or one custom cut to length, with rail joiners slid back to let the rails abut and fall into alignment. Once the joiners have been slid into place, continuity is probably going to be acceptable, but it will ultimately prove to be an undependable link, so the advice above sounds right. This approach allows you to join the two rail ends on each module over time and changes resulting in the alignment as pins or dowels, or the holes in which they nest, are eroded.
Thank you guys
I’m planning to have a layout that will be easy to move. My enterence into my basement was not built for a 4X8 layout to fit!!!
Thanks Again
Perkpub