Laying Atlas O flex track

[Anonymous]

Am coming back to high rail after 40 years of N & HO. Whats the best way to cut and bend Atlas O flex track. Also I read a review that the rail joiners weren't reliable for electrical contact. Do I need to solder a feeder wire to each individual track section and /or solder the rail joiners. I'll be overjoyed with any pearls of wisdom from those who have gone before. Thanks, Fred

[Anonymous]

Am coming back to high rail after 40 years of N & HO. Whats the best way to cut and bend Atlas O flex track. Also I read a review that the rail joiners weren't reliable for electrical contact. Do I need to solder a feeder wire to each individual track section and /or solder the rail joiners. I'll be overjoyed with any pearls of wisdom from those who have gone before. Thanks, Fred

[Roger Bielen]

I'm not familiar with Atlas but, if it's anything like Gargraves there are a couple of videos available. I found the best way for standard curves was to cut templates from 1/4" plywood or to lay my cork roadbed and work my way along the centerline.

For cutting there are oversized cutting discs available for Dremels or similar tools. As a last resort a fine tooth blade in a hacksaw, helps to make a jig to hold the track.

[Roger Bielen]

I'm not familiar with Atlas but, if it's anything like Gargraves there are a couple of videos available. I found the best way for standard curves was to cut templates from 1/4" plywood or to lay my cork roadbed and work my way along the centerline.

For cutting there are oversized cutting discs available for Dremels or similar tools. As a last resort a fine tooth blade in a hacksaw, helps to make a jig to hold the track.

[clinchfieldfan]

Welcome to the forum. I have used atlas o track extensively in my layout. When I started the layout I used the early version of the track where the rail joiners did not make good contact. Because of that I have had to solder feeder wires about every four feet. Around some of my switches I inserted a bare 18 gauge solid wire through the center rail joiner and soldered both ends. (After cleaning the black off of the center rail) after the solder sets good I paint the area flat black to conceal the shiny solder, being careful not to get paint on the top of the rail. When I started the layout only sectional track was available so I do not have experience bending the atlas track. I recently started a third main line using Gargraves track and use a piece 072 sectional as a "jig" to bend the gargraves. I imagine that this would work for the atlas track. I have read that atlas fixed the rail joiners so that they will conduct electricty better. The prototypical look of the atlas track is great once you detail it, (I paint "rust" on the outer rails sides) and it has been properly ballasted. Good luck!

[clinchfieldfan]

Welcome to the forum. I have used atlas o track extensively in my layout. When I started the layout I used the early version of the track where the rail joiners did not make good contact. Because of that I have had to solder feeder wires about every four feet. Around some of my switches I inserted a bare 18 gauge solid wire through the center rail joiner and soldered both ends. (After cleaning the black off of the center rail) after the solder sets good I paint the area flat black to conceal the shiny solder, being careful not to get paint on the top of the rail. When I started the layout only sectional track was available so I do not have experience bending the atlas track. I recently started a third main line using Gargraves track and use a piece 072 sectional as a "jig" to bend the gargraves. I imagine that this would work for the atlas track. I have read that atlas fixed the rail joiners so that they will conduct electricty better. The prototypical look of the atlas track is great once you detail it, (I paint "rust" on the outer rails sides) and it has been properly ballasted. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by fredstrand

Am coming back to high rail after 40 years of N & HO. Whats the best way to cut and bend Atlas O flex track. Also I read a review that the rail joiners weren't reliable for electrical contact. Do I need to solder a feeder wire to each individual track section and /or solder the rail joiners. I'll be overjoyed with any pearls of wisdom from those who have gone before. Thanks, Fred

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by fredstrand

Am coming back to high rail after 40 years of N & HO. Whats the best way to cut and bend Atlas O flex track. Also I read a review that the rail joiners weren't reliable for electrical contact. Do I need to solder a feeder wire to each individual track section and /or solder the rail joiners. I'll be overjoyed with any pearls of wisdom from those who have gone before. Thanks, Fred

[Anonymous]

Atlas's O gauge terminal joiners now have two dimples in them - one at each end - and that seems to have taken care of the problems that were once found there. However, their switches have a problem - engines lose pwer and stall out when they cross the switch. This also seems to have been solved, but not always. Look for the UL Appproved sticker when purchasing the switches.
Do not accept the olderswitches without this sticker. But even with these problems, it is probably the best looking track on the market.

[Anonymous]

Atlas's O gauge terminal joiners now have two dimples in them - one at each end - and that seems to have taken care of the problems that were once found there. However, their switches have a problem - engines lose pwer and stall out when they cross the switch. This also seems to have been solved, but not always. Look for the UL Appproved sticker when purchasing the switches.
Do not accept the olderswitches without this sticker. But even with these problems, it is probably the best looking track on the market.

[Anonymous]

Sorry for posting on such an older thread. doy you mean th "UV" sticker ? there is no ul listing or recognition on this track. Reason for asking, I have 11 new switches in the box getting ready to build my layout

[Anonymous]

Sorry for posting on such an older thread. doy you mean th "UV" sticker ? there is no ul listing or recognition on this track. Reason for asking, I have 11 new switches in the box getting ready to build my layout

[Anonymous]

Unfortunally, the same items that make Atlas flex track so strong and desirable, also conspite ti make it a bear to work with. I have taken to only using it for gentle curves and using their fine line of section track for curves. I am investigating getting a tubeing bender from Micro Mark that professes to do what we need it to do. However until i have an extra 100.00 to pop down it will remain unbought. Atlas makes fine products, and my whol layout uses them. I have 10 switches on my layout all the newest type. I found you have to have feeder wires on either side of a switch, dont trust the built in ones. Have a good time. BIll

[Anonymous]

Unfortunally, the same items that make Atlas flex track so strong and desirable, also conspite ti make it a bear to work with. I have taken to only using it for gentle curves and using their fine line of section track for curves. I am investigating getting a tubeing bender from Micro Mark that professes to do what we need it to do. However until i have an extra 100.00 to pop down it will remain unbought. Atlas makes fine products, and my whol layout uses them. I have 10 switches on my layout all the newest type. I found you have to have feeder wires on either side of a switch, dont trust the built in ones. Have a good time. BIll