FLEXIBLE
Track
how to make it the easy way -
For more information contact garrylefevre@hotmail.com
For some time I
have wanted to have flexible track on which to run my TTR. The problem as we all know is the large
coarse wheels which modern track does not allow for. Although back in the 1950s Wrenn had 3 rail flexible track for
Trix Twin. This was rather crude and
with the centre rail being just another rail, looking large and out of
place. These days one occasionally
finds a few pieces at a swap meet but far too seldom and often in poor
condition to seriously plan building a railway layout based on it. My search to find something else started.
After some research I found the solution was far
simpler and easier than I realised.
PECO ( the English
company) makes a wide range of track including two types of 2 rail flexible
track for HO, code 100 and code
75. The code 100 has a rail profile
which is far too low for the coarse Trix wheels and code 75 is even lower. But they also make fine scale track for O
gauge, this rail is code 124 in nickel silver with the same height as the crude
Trix Express super track !!!
PECO sell the code
124 rail known as Bullhead- separately from the base in packs of 6. Each rail is one yard long or 914 mm. All one needs to do is to combine the HO
flexible track with the Bullhead rail.
On the left code 75 HO track from
PECO, on the right Trix Express super track
As one bends flexible track the rail
slides through the sleepers. Hence all
one needs to do is slide the low rail out and slide in the higher code 124 rail
Now on the left PECO code 75 track
with the replaced code 124 bullhead rail
All we now need to do is solve the
problem of the centre rail.
The centre rail on
the Trix Express super track is half round being bent tinplate with a diameter
of 1.2mm. My solution is to use a wire
1.2mm in diameter supported on small black track pins made by PECO
Since all flexible
track needs to be permanently fixed to the layout to prevent it moving, the
logical solution was to use the same track pins as the basis for the support
for the centre rail. The pins are
situated roughly every 7th sleeper, but this is not critical in the
centre of the sleeper. The height is
about 1.5mm above the sleeper base, again not too critical but the combined
height with the wire on top must be below the running rails to prevent shorting
on low loco bodies. One extra long pin
is used per section which passes through the base board onto which the
electrical connecting wire is soldered.
In this way the current is passed to the centre rail. This one pin must be soldered to the wire
acting as the centre rail. The other
pins can be soldered or super glued in place.
I found the latter easier but not as permanent and I recommend soldering
the pins to the wire. Since the heat from the soldering iron can melt
the plastic sleepers it is better to do this before putting the wire in place.
It is essential to thoroughly clean the wire first where it is to be solder.
Above is the finished new flexible
track on a gradual bend. Below is the
Trix Express super track Radius 2, the largest one they made.
The appearance is
remarkably nearly the same as Trix Express track. PECO nickel silver track can be joined to the Trix Express track
using the same fishplates as the rail profile is so similar. The centre rail can be soldered or the wire
mentioned above under the base board linked to the other centre rail.
Here are some tips
if you want to do this and a list of what you need :-
· In choosing PECO HO track I first started with
code 100, but found sometimes the bullhead replacement rail is a bit loose.
Hence I now use code 75. This is a very tight fit. To slide in the code 124
rail I file the end to a point and put a tiny amount of oil on the underneath.
Yet still it can be tough and one can take the easier route
of using code 100
track
· For the centre rail I am using piano wire. This is a sprung wire which one can get from
many model shops. It has the advantage that it will spring back into shape
after a locos collecting shoe has pressed it down. But the disadvantage is that it is difficult to solder. Here I found the best way was to create a
jig made of a long strip of wood. Holes
are drilled at intervals just slightly larger than the pins body but less than
the pin head. Thus the pin rests on top of the wood. The wire is then clamped to the wood and each pin soldered. In this way the pins are all hanging down
from the wire on the same side and the wire can then be used directly to fix
the track to the base board. Remember to solder one longer pin, to use for the
electrical connection. A hole is
drilled through the middle of the sleeper through which the pin is
pressed. The other pins are set at
roughly every 7th sleeper but this is not critical.
· To effect a smooth transfer of the locos centre
collector shoe I bend the end of the wire down at each joint see photo below.
Here is a list of parts I use :-
|
Part |
PECO code |
UK price |
|
Wooden sleeper nickel
silver 914 mm long |
C25 SL-100 Code 100 |
£2-25 |
|
or |
|
|
|
Wooden sleeper nickel
silver 914 mm long |
SL-100F Code 75 |
£2-30 |
|
Bullhead rail 6 pieces Enough to make 3 x 914mm
track |
1L-7BH Nickel silver |
£7-85 |
|
Rail Joiners |
SL 10 |
25 for £1-45 |
|
Spikes or fixing pins Chemically blackened |
1L -13 |
Not listed Sold by weight |
|
Piano wire |
From model shops |
varies |
NOW the EXTRA Surprise !!
PECO also make a range of
other products to enable you to make your own points in any design that copies
prototype railway practice. I have
seen these on exhibition layouts but not yet attempted it myself --- perhaps my next project !
And finally here is a list of main PECO contacts who will tell you where the nearest shop to
you is stocking the items you need! !
|
In the UK |
Peco Railway Models, Beer, Seaton, Devon EX12 3NA Telephone 01297 21542 Fax 01297 20229 |
|
In Canada |
Academy products Inc 9 Bradwick Drive Concord Ontario L4K 2T4 Tel 0019056699120 |
|
In Germany |
Weinart Modelbau Mittlewendung 7, 28844 Weyhe/Dreye Tel 004942039464 |
|
In Holland |
Model Engineering BV Bangert23-1689 CJ Zwaag Tel 0031229261577 |
|
In
Switzerland |
Marcel Csuka 8117 Fallanden Industriestrasse 7 Tel 004118252929 |
|
In USA |
Euro rail Model Importers Ltd 1000 South Main Street Newark New York Tel 0013153314090 |
For more information contact garrylefevre@hotmail.com