Cutting MTH Realtrack ?

[jefelectric]

Thanks Tom, I think I tried to do without the quote tag.

[spankybird]

John,

I found the posting in the coffee pot and click on the 'Quote' icon. Then I copy and past it to this thread.

tom

[jefelectric]

Tom,

How did you do that? When I tried to do it the pictures did not copy.

[Anonymous]

Oh yeah I remember seeing that post regarding cutting that track. SImilar to FT it's not easy to cut but it can be done, to make those special sections when you can't use fitter sections.

Chris

[spankybird]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jefelectric

Roy, When I click the blue arrow I always get the last page, of course I then have to back up to the last post that I read.

Did a little work on the layout. I had decided to rearrange my small yard to 3 tracks and eliminate another siding. Nothing is ever simple. Found out that to make things work I needed a 1" piece of track. Since I use Realtrax in this area, that was a problem. For those who use Realtrax, here is how I solved it.

I cut a 1" piece of a small section that I had on hand, I then connected this to the piece that needed the extension using Atlas rail joiners on top for strength and soldered wire jumpers underneath for current continuity. The third picture shows the section in place on the layout. Not finished yet, have to wire a new feeder for the siding, change the main feeder location and wire the switch, but took a break to check into the pot and relax.


Top side.


Bottom side.


In place on the layout.

jon, I found the posting and copied it here, thanks

[FJ and G]

Simply cut the MTH Realtrack using a hacksaw and a miterbox or hold it down with clamps.

THe hard part would be to ensuring the other piece it mates with angles up precisely. To do that you could measure the angle with an angle or other device.

You could then simply join the rails with jumpers. The jumper can go on the underside of the rail, as there's hollow spots under the roadbed. I've cut Realtrack up before.

[spankybird]

Thanks Jon,

I remembered seeing it somewhere ????

Could you post it here so we could look it up later on the search??

tom

[jefelectric]

Tom,

Check the coffee pot for the 19th of March. I posted my exprience in doing it. Wasn't a bad job, but I wouldn't want to cut a lot.

[pbjwilson]

Tom,
I think it was John(jefelectric) that posted a thread about cutting a 1" section of MTH track. Could have been Don(dbaker48), I get those guys mixed up. Anyway it was about a month ago that he posted it. Cant figure out how to search for it.

[jimhaleyscomet]

I have used K-line snap track and had to cut it to length. What I do is start with a stock straight and cut the excess amount out of the middle. I then have 2 ends with the standard connection. Then I just butt the other two ends together. With tube track I can also add a pin but if your track is mounted to the table you should be able to get away without pins. You can run wire jumpers underneath the track if you need continuity.

Another alternative (if not in a visible area) is to use two MTH - O transitions and then custom cut the small piece from 0 tubular.

I have never had to cut MTH track. My straight runs are usually long enough that with enough transition pieces I can make it work.

Jim H

[spankybird]

I have always use tube track, so this hasn’t been a problem for me.

I know that some of you have done this, so how have you cut MTH realtrack to have it fit for the places that are odd lengths [?]

[?]