I’m trying to lay flex track down on a 4ft ntrak module and need help connecting two flex track and connecting them together. also need help connecting flex track to 5 in atlas track.
All track that I know about gets connected together with “rail joiners”. These are little pieces of metal bent so you can stick the rail into each end. You will need two rail joiners for one track connection, (because each piece of track has two rails). You LHS (local hobby shop) should have these. If you have some track joints that need to be insulated, you will need insulated rail joiners. If you don’t know if you need them, you should get a book from your LHS on how to lay track. Just ask them for something for a beginner just getting started in the hobby.
Take an xacto blade or razor blade and slide it between the rail and the last 2 ties of the flex track to cut off the track spikes. That way your rail joiner can slide onto the rail. The rail joiner should slide onto your 5 inch piece of sectional track without having to cut any ties because of the way the ties are molded at the ends.
Also, if you have cut the flextrack, you will want to file the burr off of the rail so the rail joiner can slide on.
The rail joiner should fit on tightly-it’s best to solder them on for good electrical contact.
Hope this helps,
Craig
thanks i knew about joiners and stuff, but now when i try to snip the track to make it the correct length it always breaks. any tips?
I use Xuron rail nippers. If I position the nipper correctly I don’t even have to file the ends. Watch out for flying rail when you make your cut.
Bob
if you have a dremel you could use a cut off wheel they are avalible at your local hobby shop.
Either way of cutting the rail is good, the dremel disc method slightly more invoved.
I bought Xuron’s rail cutters and have never looked back as i can cut the rail while it is on the board and then on with the joiner to the next section of track, take note of the direction of cut though with the Xuron cutter the jaws either side of the rail as opposed to top to bottom cutting.
I’ll just add that you want the flat side of the cutters toward the piece your keeping. Makes a nice clean cut that many times needs no extra filing.
For the best joint solder both rails and the rail joiner on the outside.
Solder track feeders one foot in from each end of the module. Add more feeders for any rail that is not soldered to a rail that has a feeder. Do this before painting and ballasting, it’s much easier.
Martin Myers/ member NTRAK Wiring and Connectors Advisary Group
Hi !
I posted a topic as yours. Maybe it has anything that help you!
I couldnt agree more mfm37, i use a little flux to help the solder flow over the joiner making a good clean joint.