Hi,
is there a video ( for free ) on the internet how to lay flextrack step by step for beginners ??
Greetings
Not sure its what you want. I think that MRR has some of those combo “video/PDF” things on the subject.
As a caveat… I have not watched the whole thing so I am not sure what method is used. I can’t speak to the technique. I glue my flex track to cork and paint it afterwards.
Chris
This is a free PDF from Model Railroader with embedded videos that I found very useful.
http://www.chattanoogadepot.com/flextrack.pdf
I was a sectional track modeller for many years until picked up the courage to try out flex track a couple of years ago. It turned out to be much easier than I expected. I worried myself sick thinking about all the things that could go wrong but in the end, it came out fine. Flex track is much more forgiving than you may realize.
I notice from your information that you are located in germany. If so, I would strongly suggest that you get a set of Krause track clamps to help you lay your flex track. These gadgets are truly wonderful. Its a pity they are not more available widely in the US. I was given a set by a friend and they have proven to be invaluable.
Hi ChrisNH,
first of all thanks for the You Tube link.
Unfortunately that guy on the videos didn´t lay out EASEMENTS as so often recommended
by professionals.
But nevertheless I´v learned a little bit about flex track.
Once more thanks for the link
Hi rxanand,
also thanks to you for the link to free PDF from MR.
The PDF file that I lined to itself contains videos. You have to click on the images to see the videos.
Regarding easements: There are at least two ways to set up easements:
-
The book on track planning by John Armstrong describes a good procedure to lay out easements. I my self used a variant of this approach on my layout.
-
You can use a good track layout CAD program like 3rd Planit that allows you to lay out easements precisely.
If you’re sleeping then I am too because I can’t find any embedded videos either.
Great link there Chris. Thanks for posting it.
Hi rxanand
Regarding easements: There are at least two ways to set up easements:
-
The book on track planning by John Armstrong describes a good procedure to lay out easements. I my self used a variant of this approach on my layout.
-
You can use a good track layout CAD program like 3rd Planit that allows you to lay out easements precisely.
Thanks for your advice.
You have to click on the images to see the videos.
I´v clicked on the images.But there are no videos shown.
There arn´t even a button to click on.[:(]
My apologies. You are indeed correct. I was looking at one PDF and linking you to another. There are no videos in this PDF. However, I do seem to clearly remember a nice PDF from Kalmbach about track laying that did have some embedded video. I will try to get you a link the correct PDF.
Speaking of easements, when using the laminated spline roadbed method is it necessary to explicity form easements, or do the splines form these naturally as they are laid out? Jamie
Hi rxanand,
I´m looking forward to the link. [:)]
I have done easements three ways.
One is by letting my cad program draw the easement and transfer that to the roadbed material. I prefer this because it ensures I have the proper length of easement available before I go to do track.
Another is to use the bent stick method. A flexible stick to pin between the straight section and the curved section to make a natural transition. You need to have the tangent approach the curve offset slightly wider. I think 1/4" is what HO folks use? (I am in N…). A 1" or smaller wide strip of Masonite laid on its side works well for this.
Finally… one can do it just like the bent stick but let the natural spring of the flex track find the easement with a little help from the ol’ eyeball. I have had good luck doing this with Peco track which is very springy. Other track may not work so well.
Currently I do not lay easements out of the curved portion of a turnout. Per John Armstrong’s book, the turnout can act as the easement. I am not sure I am happy with this. Anyone have thoughts on doing that?
Chris
Hi ChrisNH,
thanks very much for your description how you done EASEMENTS.
Sounds not easy to me.[%-)]
Can you post any pictures how you done it ???
Try this PDF… despite being about passenger it has a very nice illustration of the bent stick method and explanation of easements.
http://www.trains.com/mrr/default.aspx?c=a&id=1965
As for the CAD. if you look at the track plan of my practice layout
You can see the easements. I print this full size (lots of 11x17 taped together…) then when I trace that onto my roadbed I need just follow the line I put down. Bent stick is easier if you are not already drawing stuff in a cad program.
Chris
I find the bent stick method as shown in the PDF very interesting.
But the way you do it with CAD also arouses my interest.
I appreciate your help in laying easements very much.
Thanks ChrisNH
I watched this pretty much in its entirety, and he doesn’t get to actually laying the track until part 6. The first five parts were devoted to weathering and soldering rail joiners. The product he uses is a acrylic caulk from Elmer’s. Below is a link to part 6.
Hi guyes,
look what I´ve found on Model Railroader Webside.