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Yes. On my old layout, I used Atlas flex to replace 18" sectional track in some loops. The issue as I see it are joints in the middle of the curves. It will kink unless soldered, and it still might kink even then. Like
kleiner's original post correctly stated, "comfortably install". I have no experience with Peco.
Here is a good video on the technique for laying Peco flex. One thing he did not mention which I would recommend is to run through the ties with a wooden stick to get the ties to be parallel to the track.
Track laying continues.
I try to pace myself and do a small amount every day. I know there are some people who seem to have no problem laying a hundred feet of track in a day but I'm not one of those people
Yes. On my old layout, I used Atlas flex to replace 18" sectional track in some loops. The issue as I see it are joints in the middle of the curves. It will kink unless soldered, and it still might kink even then. Like kleiner's original post correctly stated, "comfortably install". I have no experience with Peco.
Exactly! With Atlas track, you absolutely have to solder each joint and even then there is a chance of a kink. You need to use glue/track nails
and solder the joints.
Some years ago, I built an N scale layout with Atlas code 80 flex track. I always solder all joints. However, there was one joint on a curve that looked smooth to the eye but would cause six axle diesels to derail. It took a lot of careful filing to eliminate that problem. I think the gauge had become ever so slightly tight through the joint.
I am mostly prefer to use CAD tools when designing my layouts but sometimes, there is no substitute for actually trying out a configuration on the layout. The kick back siding was just not looking right when I put the track on the layout. So I am going to instead move it a little further to the main loop. I tried mocking it up and it looks much better now. So I am going to update my 3rd Planit design now. I'll post later today.
This is also a good example of why it pays to be patient.
I'm liking the look of the new kick back siding. So, just for fun, I put together a little oil terminal scene for this siding
This is what the track plan currently looks like (roughly). It's approximate because the actual lengths of some of the tracks has changed a bit when I laid them.
Made some more progress. I haven't fixed the track for the passing siding as yet. Its just pinned down for now. I need to think about it for a bit before finalizing the configuration. Its looking good but I think it could be even better.
Ok - I have figured it out. The white rectangle is a cutout I made from foam core board of the footprint of the Walthers Lakeville warehouse. Its a big structure (19" by 12").
I like the look of this so much that I went ahead an ordered the Lakeville warehouse as well as the modern concrete warehouse, both from Walthers. I will finalize this configuration now and put down the track. I will update the CAD diagram to match. I think I'll be able to manage to get six industries into this layout now with this latest update.
Made good progress and started gluing down the tracks. I think I ought to be done with laying track by tomorrow. After that comes the tedious process of adding droppers for track power. Also, I use Tam Valley frog juicers to power the frogs so I need droppers for the frogs too.
Here is the updated track plan. I now have six distinct spots for industries. The junkyard ought to be fun
And all of the track is properly aligned and glued down - feeling good about getting this finally done. Next steps are
- Solder all of the joiners
- Solder dropper wires for power supply
- Solder droppers to the turnout frogs
- Install ground throws
- Install track bumpers for the dead end sidings
As you can tell, I have a lot of soldering ahead of me. Now, for a long time, I have been using a cheap Radio Shack (remember them?
) soldering iron. I finally decided to treat myself to a good quality temperature controlled Weller soldering iron. It should be arriving today so I will wait until it arrives before I get on with soldering.
I am fortunate that I was able to learn how to solder from my grandpa over forty years ago. I learned the craft using a monster 65W soldering iron that he used to build vacuum tube circuits!
Assembled a track bumper from a Tichy Trains kit. It was a but tricky as the parts were so small but it looks good. I will paint it later.
Ran a loco on my layout for the first time!
Here is how I attach wires to frogs on Atlas turnouts (You can't solder directly to the frog, its made of some non-solderable metal).
1. A screw secures a brass bar on the underside of the turnout
2. Here is the brass bar. It's easy to solder a dropper wire on to the brass bar
Here's what it looks like with a dropper wire attached to a turnout frog. It will be barely noticeable once the track is ballasted
Installed the ground throws. They are way oversized but once the track is ballasted, it won't stick out quit so much
And finally, getting the Tam Valley Hex Frog Juicers ready for installation (on a scrap piece of gator foam board). This is pretty much the only electronics I'm going to be using in this layout.
A few quick updates as seen in the attached photo
1. I have been working on assembling some wooden wheel stops. I think I bought these a long time ago at the Amherst train show. They are very hard to assemble but I thought I would use a few of them for variety along with the Tichy track bumper. I have to confess that I'm real clumsy when it comes to assembling these delicate models - all thumbs for sure
2. I got a box of these nifty Wago wire joiners. Wago is a German company and these wire joiners are considered by electricians to be the best in the business. They are rated for full line voltage and can handle as much as 32A. They have a nice spring loaded vice mechanism that holds wires very securely. I will be using a lot of them under the layout for connecting various droppers. I tried them out and they seem to work well with both single estranged and multi stranded wire in typical sizes. I used to solder all my wires but its just too much work - these joiners make things a lot easier!
More about track bumpers
I created a simple jig to make it easier to assemble the Tichy Trains stops. These kits are very hard to assemble but this jig really simplified matters a lot:
I then painted the bumpers yellow with acrylic paints.
Also, I received the Walthers warehouse kits! Really looking forward to assembling these kits.
Lookin' good!
And you’ll like the concrete warehouse, it’s easy to modify to just about any shape!
(square gets boring sometimes)
Got the frog juicers wired up and they seem to be working just fine. The Wago connectors are just amazing - I can't recommend them highly enough! Makes it really easy to connect the dropper wires to the juicer.
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