Are there any books or CD’s that show the prodedure for laying flex track especially on curves? I’ve searched the forum but haven’t found any posts that specifically state how to do the curves.
I’ve been away from the hobby for 25 to 30 years and I’m just starting to re-educate my self with some basics before actuall construction. I definitely want to go with the flex over sectional.
Also, a source for wiring DCC.
Thanks in advance…
Well, Kalmbach has two good wiring books. For DCC, I highly recommend “DCC Made Easy” – it has a lot of good, basic DCC info. And for general wiring, including DCC, there’s Easy Model Railroad Wiring". For more advanced DCC info, Digitrax has “The Big Book of DCC”, which, while of course somewhat biased towards Digitrax products, really gets into the “down and dirty” technical details of wiring and configuring DCC systems.
For track, I just picked up the Kalmbach book “Trackwork and Lineside Detail” – it has a couple of chapters on track laying, and more on the finishing touches that make the track look good.
And right here on this website is an article or two on laying flextrack on curves. If you go to the main page, look on the left for the “Modeling” menu and choose “Layout construction”, you’ll see two articles on laying flextrack.
it’s easy and you don’t need a book…for straight track…hold a straight edge against the outside rail to keep it straight when you either nail it down with track spikes (located in the middle of the ties) or glue it in place…always use the center of the track line that you will draw (I’ll explain that) when laying the flex track…try to keep the track from center to center 2" apart on straight track , and 2/12" apart from center to center on curves…to make curves…lay a piece of plywood down flat (if you are using plywood for the sub roadbed)…now…take a small board like a 1/2" x 3/4" at least 3 1/2’ long and drill one hole about an inch from one end of the board…now…take a measuring tape and measure from the hole you just drilled outward along the board until you get to your desired radius you want to use for your track…let’s say a 22" radius…now mark the spot on the board that is 22" from the first hole you drilled…now…drill a hole at that mark that is big enough to hold a pencil…lay the board on the plywood, hammer a nail through the first hole you drilled into the plywood…put a pencil in the second hole you drilled and with a sweeping motion mark the plywood with the pencil…you have now created a center of track line for a curved section of track…you can put the plywood onto the benchwork now and use the mark as a guide for the center of track or measure out 1 3/8" from both sides of the line and cut it out with a jigsaw for a perfect curved piece of subroadbed…Chuck [:D]
I would difinitely use a radius gauge in your curves, along with a centerline. Flex track wants to be a bit snakey and the gauge that fits between the rails will help you maintain a consistant radius. You can purchase them through Walthers for about 3 or 4 dollars.
Another idea for drawing a curve on plywood is to take a yard stick and put a nail through the inch mark of the radius you want, say 22". Tap the nail in the center of the curve and place a marker at the “0” end and just pivot the yard stick. Need a new radius? Just put a nail through a different inch mark.
REX[:)]
Don’t forget to solder two pieces of flex-track together before curving it. This helps to keep the joint from kinking as you are bending and installing it.
Don’t forget to set the easements prior to striking your radius. Rolling stock rolls easier though a turn w/ an easement.
Bob
Search in the Mag index. I’m sure there are several articles in there.
For DCC wiring - see Allan Gartner’s Wiring for DCC web site. [url]http://www.wiringfordcc.com{/url]
Thanks for all of the replies!!!
Hi
Grab a copy of the July '04 MR. I has a nice easy read on trackwork . About eight pages, including pictures, the author manages to hit the basics of superelevation and spiral easements.
I you’re looking for more, Kalmbachs Trackwork and Lineside Detail is a must read. I find it a bit heavy on handlaying (sorry diehards, I just don’t have that kind of time on my hands) but the flextrack coverage and the extensive information on classification and details make it a reference you’ll use frequently during planning and construction.