I’m trying my hands again at my failed attempt on my WS ridge layout. I’m planing on using Atlas snap track. What should I do to prep the track for trouble free operation. I plan to use cork roadbed, going to glue the cork, solder the track in sections and glue that to the road bed. I’m also planning to use Bachman EZ-DCC system.
I wouldn’t solder anything until it runs trouble free. They never seem to go together quite right.
Another reason not to solder is that many sectional-track plans have a little “fudge-factor” to them - there’s just enough play in the joints to make the plan work. Soldering removes that “play” and you may find out that the ends of the track don’t line back up or come together. That’s why many track plans don’t translate well to RR design software.
i have been using atlas snap track since 1965.on my present layout i use flex track and atlas snap track.i use the 22inR,18inR,9in straight.i use atlas mark3 t/o’s and peco insulfrog.my track is completely soldered except for a couple of places where i used insulated joiner’s.since im good at soldering.it comes very easy for me.with a solder wick it is also easy to unsolder.when your pretty sure that the track you’ve laid down is exactly the way you want it you can start soldering.if your’e not good at soldering do practice first.BTW once my flex and snap track is soldered,weathered and ballasted,its hard to tell it’s snap track imo.terry…
If you haven’t purchased your snap track yet, take a look at Kato Unitrack. More expensive yes, but trouble free, and I think they sell a kit to fit that layout. If you shop around you can find it at 35% off list. which when you buy snap track, add roadbed, and the It doesn’t wrok right factor, the Unitrack is not so bad. I use it in “N” and it has been troublefree. My $0.02 Dave
The only problem with the kato track, I have already started this project last year. I ran into a slight problem, and pushed it aside for a while. All the foam risers for the track is already glued down. I’m planing on soldering few sections together to make larger snap track, mainly what will go inside the mountin - tunnel. I might use some flex track to take the fudge factor out.