fixing poor track work

bluedepot · December 05, 2011, 08:29:22 PM

ok...

my track work has quite a few gaps in it.... i know i asked this before and people said not to worry about it as rails expand / contact etc, but the gaps are a bit big!!! they don't cause derailments thank god, but they just look bad imo...

can you use thermic welding to join rails together? is there some other method to close up the gaps?

this is my first layout and i think maybe i was slightly over ambitious with the plan... something smaller to practice on might have been more sensible!!! something using kato track would have probably been better (although i don't like the look of the track...)

cheers

tim

EtchedPixels · December 05, 2011, 08:35:51 PM

Quote from: bluedepot on December 05, 2011, 08:29:22 PM
ok...

my track work has quite a few gaps in it.... i know i asked this before and people said not to worry about it as rails expand / contact etc, but the gaps are a bit big!!! they don't cause derailments thank god, but they just look bad imo...

can you use thermic welding to join rails together? is there some other method to close up the gaps?

Might be a bit drastic to thermite them !

You can solder them, although if you've got a few gaps and they are not causing the problem I'd leave them alone. It's often not easy to fix one the track is pinned down because you need to move all the rail around to mostly fill the gaps then cut out a piece and relay it the right size.

If you've not pinned it down then you may be able to do it more easily, but a bit of gap here and there isn't uncommon. Stick a bush or a lineside cabinet in the way

bluedepot · December 05, 2011, 08:38:33 PM

hi,

i can move the tracks around a bit as not pinned and only some are glued and painted... the problem is pushing rails together just opens up a gap at the other end!!!

how do you solder sections of rail together? any links to instructions?

lol yeh, maybe 25 relay cabinets could block the view hahaha

tim

anselm · December 05, 2011, 08:41:15 PM

I filled a small gap (1.5 - 2mm) with solder using bluetack underneath and either side of the rail to stop the solder running out. Then remove the bluetack. Gentle work with a flat file to level the solder off. Left a good finish.
Ian

bluedepot · December 05, 2011, 08:43:22 PM

nice idea ian

how quickly did u remove the blue-tac?

so i create a mould essentially with the blue-tac, melt some solder into it, then file smooth?

tim

anselm · December 05, 2011, 08:45:15 PM

That's it. I left the bluetack about a minute and then removed with tweezers. Seem to remember that hot bluetack doesn't smell too good!
Ian

EtchedPixels · December 05, 2011, 08:45:40 PM

Quote from: anselm on December 05, 2011, 08:41:15 PM
I filled a small gap (1.5 - 2mm) with solder using bluetack underneath and either side of the rail to stop the solder running out. Then remove the bluetack.

That's genius. I've got a point where I need to fix a dip on the join with the easitrac, now I know how to fix it.

Mustermark · December 05, 2011, 08:58:42 PM

I have a few (smallish) gaps - but I like them because my trains make the clackety-clack sound as they go by.

The soldering idea is neat though.

bluedepot · December 05, 2011, 09:42:34 PM

hurrah! all my track in the scenic section is now painted

tomorrow i am going to try soldering up a few of the gaps, and then on to the ballasting!!!

was going to do some more this evening but got distracted running the new dapol 121 round and round... and now it's a bit late to start a new task...

cheers

tim

Flakmunky · December 06, 2011, 08:01:37 AM

You could try gluing plasticard shims in and file it to shape...

Rheneas N Gauge · December 08, 2011, 09:12:32 PM

the plastic might cause a few power problems

upnick · December 08, 2011, 09:23:47 PM

Hi Tim i used plasticard asan option to plastric insulating joiners but you could to fit the gaps in track justthe same soldering unless you are very neat will need good preparation & claenning up which if you use any abrasive to shape any solder scratches will attract dirt.

Here is a how to for using plasticard if you shape it to the profile of the rails a very tiny amount of plasticweld over the final shape helps it blend in well

http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=1561.0

Rheneas N Gauge · December 08, 2011, 09:30:05 PM

soldering is a good idea because you instantly get a nice rail look

guest311 · December 08, 2011, 09:35:44 PM

Quote from: Rheneas N Gauge on December 08, 2011, 09:12:32 PM
the plastic might cause a few power problems

I would think that as long as you've used metal track joiners and they are tight then there should not be any problems with filling just the gap between the rails with a plastic card shim, as power should still pass through the rail joiner.

Rheneas N Gauge · December 08, 2011, 09:39:11 PM

yes thats true but track joiners can not be relied in especilaly not for large layouts or places with quite a few point and or isolated sections

fixing poor track work

guest311