What kind of curves are there? As in, what radius? 18",22",15", are there any others?
what is this for- EZ track, snap track, flex track, aristocraft, lionel, kato, HO, N, Z, S, G, O.....?
be more specific
Since you are asking this on "General Discussion," it would be best were you to specify what scale you mean. Since flex track can go to 60-70-80 inch radius or higher - if you have the space - you need to specify the type/brand track.
A suggestion. Before you start to post - think about what you want to do. ;D
Gene
HO scale. Atlas track. No roadbed.
http://www.atlasrr.com/
Could I get some good answers? Any kind of track would work, you can mix track types right? HO scale! :)
How do you mean "mix" track? Not only are their several manufactures, there are also different rail sizes - for example in HO you can use code 100 code 83 or code 70. You can use nickel silver track, brass (if that's still made) and even steel.
It is possible to combine various brands as well as mix codes 70, 83 and 100 track. It takes some doing and often there are no conversion pieces available.
All of this makes me glad that I model a scale where there are two brands of track, the ones from Aspen Models (Eh...) and the ones you make yourself. :D
It makes me sad when a person asks a question that he could answer himself by following a couple of hints. He's given the hotlink to the Atlas website, so there is all the Atlas track to look at and then asks for a good answer. I can't think of a better answer than what was just given. In addition the question was asked in a very general nature on the wrong board, since he's interested in HO, not all scales.
Think before you post. What do you want to say? What do you want to ask? How realistic is the material?
Gene
-.-.........Okaaaay......code 100....steel rails I believe. I'm looking to use peco(maybe) track with atlas.
I'm not sure that Peco makes Code 100 track any longer. So if you want Atlas Code 100 you may have to forget Peco. Atlas is far less expensive than Peco. Nickle-silver is far better than steel.
Gene
Quote from: SteamGene on January 15, 2008, 08:55:26 AM
It makes me sad when a person asks a question that he could answer himself by following a couple of hints. He's given the hotlink to the Atlas website, so there is all the Atlas track to look at and then asks for a good answer. I can't think of a better answer than what was just given. In addition the question was asked in a very general nature on the wrong board, since he's interested in HO, not all scales.
Think before you post. What do you want to say? What do you want to ask? How realistic is the material?
Gene
Rain Trains you go right ahead and post any questions you want. Not all of us are master model builders, and I am at a loss to this kind of response from someone. trains are supposed to be inclusive and fun. This just makes us look bad.
So, that having been said. There are many different types of curved track that is sectional. Different companies make different radius track. Some are really small like 15r, but I have seen sectional up to 36r. It really comes down to how much are you willing to pay. I have to say that I have still been able to get PECO switches in code100, but they are expensive. Atlas has sectional track that does go up to 22r. Further, they are very cheap. Also, flex trak can be shaped to any desired radius or shape, but be sure to read through some of the "how to" on how to work with it properly. It is not hard, but it does take a few tricks to get it right.
Just google some of your questions and post here. There are a lot of people on these boards with a lot of experience and talent. I can't tell you how much this site has helped me.
Good Luck
Chesticus
I've seen code 100 Peco as well, at K-10's. What brand makes the largest radius sectional track, and were can I find some? (Code 100)
Use flex track and create your own curves.
I have 2 flex track curves....its hard to use....I can only use 22" or higher, right now I have a loop with 18", that will SOON be gone. Any tips, advise, or anything about how to use/use flextrack better?
Alex
8)
The fundamental thing with flex track is to avoid sharp kinks. Just laying it by eye won't usually get you there. If you are working on a flat surface, like a sheet of plywood, make yourself a curve trammel. Get yourself a cheap wooden yardstick and notch one end so you can mount a short pencil in it (you can insert a short brad halfway through the yardstick about an inch or so behind the notch so that you can use a rubber band to hold the pencil in place). Then drill holes in the yardstick just big enough to accept a somewhat longer brad at the inch marks beginning with the smallest radius you plan to use and going up to the largest. This becomes a large compass, with which you can draw an exact radius on your roadbed, and use that as the center line to lay down your flex track.
If you are using grid benchwork with risers to support the roadbed, make the trammel as described above, and use it to make curve templates out of stiff cardboard or Masonite. Use these templates to locate the risers where the curves will be, and then after the roadbed is laid, use them again to draw the centerline on the roadbed and lay the track as noted above.
Alright.
Alex
Another thing that causes problems with flex track is joints on curves.
Nice smooth, kinkless curves, as large a radius as you have room for, with as few joints as possible on curves will go a long way in ending derailments.
Yeah;
use a jig or a template with the radius you desire, and you should be able to get the main radius correct. Don't forget to at least consider easement curves in your design; also consider superelevation on curves, especially if you are running trains in excess of 20 cars.
You can find templates for curves in almost any scale for proper radii. If you cannot find them, make one from styrene. It isn't rocket science.
Rich
Woody,
The larger the radius the more pieces of flex track needed. The solution is to use full pieces, not smaller pieces for the curves. Save your small pieces for filling in around turnouts, crossings, sidings, etc.
Gene
All your templates and jigs are not needed with EZTrack. Just put it down and click it into place. It leaves you with more time to build structures and run trains.
Don
It seems you could make accurate templates using a program like Atlas RTS (aka WinRail). Use the program to calculate eased curves (a transition curve from straight to fixed radius), and fixed radius curves. Then print them full size.
This is my plan for a bridge I am working on that has five different spans. While most spans are straight, they bend slightly at each transition between spans. I want to be able to locate the spans properly to allow a gentle track transition between the straight sections. I think it will work pretty well.
Charles
This is important:
While part of the advantages of hand-laying track, if you can somehow stagger the joints in your flex track-espeecially on curves-you will afford a better piece by piece transition. If you examine a run of track in a curve, you will see that a two-rail joint at the same place is a potential for problems; whether by quality of work, or by the later shifting of parts due to expansion, etc. I know it sounds like a bit of a waste, but if you can cut back the inside rail so that the outside rail is longer than the inside, and mate the next piece accordingly-staggering the rail ends-you will further ensure some reliable trackwork where it really counts.
Rich
I'm going to make an outline of the radius I need on cardboard and cut it out. Could I get some help on finding high radius sectional track? To make the outlines.
Quote from: rains train on January 24, 2008, 07:47:43 PM
I'm going to make an outline of the radius I need on cardboard and cut it out. Could I get some help on finding high radius sectional track? To make the outlines.
Shinohara makes sectional track up to 36" radius.
-Timothy
-Conrail Quality
Could I get a link to find some of these?
Alex
Anyone..?
Do you know how to search?
Gene
I looked on eBay, but I don't know anywere else to search...lol... :(
Alex
Try Walthers. They're a distributor as well as a manufacturer.
-Timothy
-Conrail Quality
Alright! Thanks Conrail!!
Alex
Have you tried a search for "Shinohara"?
Gene
No, I'll do that.
Thanks!
Alex