Peco Code 55

[rg1]

On my previous layout (00 Gauge) I used flexi-track and used the following method for joining together on curved sections.

Cut one rail 2" back from the end and the other rail 1" back from the end so they were offset. Then take my 2nd piece of track and push the rails through the sleepers of the 1st track to join up using rail joiners. This ensured that there wouldn't be any kinks and the sections of track could be placed on a curved parts of the layout without any problems.

This time however, I am using Peco code 55 streamline and I can't see that the method used on my previous layout will work because the rails are embedded in the sleepers.

If anyone has used code 55 and joined them together on curved sections, can they tell me what method they used? Any ideas would be welcome before I start laying any track.

Thanks
Rob

[Newportnobby]

Sorry Rob, but on the layout I am laying with code 55 I have taken the cowards way out and ensured by curves can be made in one piece. On my previous layout using code 55, I made sure any necessary join was made at the mid point e.g. on a 180 degree curve I joined them in the centre at 90 degree - if that makes sense. I never did find a satisfactory way of making any other join without problematic running

[rg1]

Doing the 180's in sections rather than using 1 full lengh of 55 and trying to join another on the end does seem to be the most logical solution.

[edwin_m]

When I had a tight curve that was too long to do with a single piece I joined two lengths together on the straight then soldered all four rails into their joiners before forming the combined piece into a curve. 

[kirky]

Hi rg1
You might want to have a look at this thread  http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=1671.75 where we have discussed this starting on page 6.
There are some pictures of my efforts which are effectively the same as edwin_m has described.

Hope this helps

[Sprintex]

Isn't this thread in the wrong section as well?

Layout Construction
Your layouts and their progress

More "N Gauge Discussion" I woulda thought 


Paul

[Tank]

Cheers Sprintex.  Moving....

[Sprintex]

Thanks Tank 

Hi rg1
You might want to have a look at this thread  http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=1671.75 where we have discussed this starting on page 6.
There are some pictures of my efforts which are effectively the same as edwin_m has described.

Hope this helps

That thread shows it can be done, but either you are left with a kink, or you have to use other measures such as soldering the rails together before bending (as Kirky did), or holding the joint in a smooth curve while it is glued down (as Southernboy has). Still best to avoid such joins on curves if at all possible, even if it means cutting more straight pieces so that the join is sited just before the curve starts 


Paul

[rg1]

Thanks Tank 

Hi rg1
You might want to have a look at this thread  http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=1671.75 where we have discussed this starting on page 6.
There are some pictures of my efforts which are effectively the same as edwin_m has described.

Hope this helps

Thanks, As I said earlier, on a 180 degree curve, I will cut the rail at 90 degrees and make the join so there is little room for kinks.

Thanks again

That thread shows it can be done, but either you are left with a kink, or you have to use other measures such as soldering the rails together before bending (as Kirky did), or holding the joint in a smooth curve while it is glued down (as Southernboy has). Still best to avoid such joins on curves if at all possible, even if it means cutting more straight pieces so that the join is sited just before the curve starts 


Paul

[pippindoo]

Ive laid many a curve with a joint by getting it as close as possible then tapping in a panel pin up against the fishplate, both outside and inside rails, tapping it down steadily ,so the head of the pin rests against the bottom edge of the fishplate, then very carefully tap it across, against the curvature,  until you get a smooth curve through the joint. Gently is the important bit but easy to do and ballasting will hide the top of the panel pin.

[rg1]

I've spent some time both last night and this morning playing around with different methods and the following seems to be the best option.

On say a 180 degree curve, take the 1st piece of track and shape it to fit beyond the 90 degree mark. then take the 2nd piece and shape to the rest of the curve but overlapping the 1st piece of track by a couple of inches or so. Cut both pieces at the 90 degree mark and join. This way, there is no pressure on the rails when connected so avoiding any possibility of kinks. No soldering required, just rail joiners.

[PaulCheffus]

On my previous layout (00 Gauge) I used flexi-track and used the following method for joining together on curved sections.

Cut one rail 2" back from the end and the other rail 1" back from the end so they were offset. Then take my 2nd piece of track and push the rails through the sleepers of the 1st track to join up using rail joiners. This ensured that there wouldn't be any kinks and the sections of track could be placed on a curved parts of the layout without any problems.

This time however, I am using Peco code 55 streamline and I can't see that the method used on my previous layout will work because the rails are embedded in the sleepers.

If anyone has used code 55 and joined them together on curved sections, can they tell me what method they used? Any ideas would be welcome before I start laying any track.

Thanks
Rob

Hi

Yes I have done this. The rail is quite easy to remove from the sleepers and to push back in provided you only need a small amount. My overlap is about 3".

Cheers

Paul

[rg1]

On my previous layout (00 Gauge) I used flexi-track and used the following method for joining together on curved sections.

Cut one rail 2" back from the end and the other rail 1" back from the end so they were offset. Then take my 2nd piece of track and push the rails through the sleepers of the 1st track to join up using rail joiners. This ensured that there wouldn't be any kinks and the sections of track could be placed on a curved parts of the layout without any problems.

This time however, I am using Peco code 55 streamline and I can't see that the method used on my previous layout will work because the rails are embedded in the sleepers.

If anyone has used code 55 and joined them together on curved sections, can they tell me what method they used? Any ideas would be welcome before I start laying any track.

Thanks
Rob

Hi

Yes I have done this. The rail is quite easy to remove from the sleepers and to push back in provided you only need a small amount. My overlap is about 3".

Cheers

Paul

My problem with this method is that you have to cut sleepers out as well for the rail joiners (cos of the rail being buried in the sleepers) It doesn't work as effectively as when using normal flexi track. With normal flexi track, all of the sleepers are still connected to one another and they help keep the rails in at the correct shape. Once you cut a sleeper out for the rail joiners (code 55 streamline), the sleepers become detached and have no purpose other than cosmetic value.

Does that make sense?

Rob

Rob

[Newportnobby]

I've spent some time both last night and this morning playing around with different methods and the following seems to be the best option.

On say a 180 degree curve, take the 1st piece of track and shape it to fit beyond the 90 degree mark. then take the 2nd piece and shape to the rest of the curve but overlapping the 1st piece of track by a couple of inches or so. Cut both pieces at the 90 degree mark and join. This way, there is no pressure on the rails when connected so avoiding any possibility of kinks. No soldering required, just rail joiners.

That would be my preference too, Rob

[rg1]

I've spent some time both last night and this morning playing around with different methods and the following seems to be the best option.

On say a 180 degree curve, take the 1st piece of track and shape it to fit beyond the 90 degree mark. then take the 2nd piece and shape to the rest of the curve but overlapping the 1st piece of track by a couple of inches or so. Cut both pieces at the 90 degree mark and join. This way, there is no pressure on the rails when connected so avoiding any possibility of kinks. No soldering required, just rail joiners.

That would be my preference too, Rob

And it works perfectly well!

The reason being that if you take a piece of streamline and shape it to 180 degrees and leave momentarily, you will notice the last 2" or so dont hold the shape and tries to straighten itself out again. Therefore, joining 2 pieces end to end will put a strain on the connection and doing what I previously said eliminates that problem.