Video how to lay flextrack for beginners ?

[Santa Claus]

Hi,

is there a video ( for free ) on the internet how to lay flextrack step by step for beginners ??

 

Greetings

 

 

 

[ChrisNH]

Try This YouTube Video

Not sure its what you want. I think that MRR has some of those combo "video/PDF" things on the subject.

As a caveat.. I have not watched the whole thing so I am not sure what method is used. I can't speak to the technique. I glue my flex track to cork and paint it afterwards.

Chris

[rxanand]

This is a free PDF from Model Railroader with embedded videos that I found very useful.

 http://www.chattanoogadepot.com/flextrack.pdf

I was a sectional track modeller for many years until  picked up the courage to try out flex track a couple of years ago. It turned out to be much easier than I expected. I worried myself sick thinking about all the things that could go wrong but in the end, it came out fine. Flex track is much more forgiving than you may realize.

I notice from your information that you are located in germany. If so, I would strongly suggest that you get a set of Krause track clamps to help you lay your flex track. These gadgets are truly wonderful. Its a pity they are not more available widely in the US. I was given a set by a friend and they have proven to be invaluable.

[Santa Claus]

Hi ChrisNH,

first of all thanks for the You Tube link.

Unfortunately that guy on the videos didn´t lay out EASEMENTS as so often recommended

by professionals.

But nevertheless I´v learned  a little bit about flex track.

Once more thanks for the link

[Santa Claus]

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Hi rxanand,

also thanks to you for the link to free PDF from MR.

This is a free PDF from Model Railroader with embedded videos that I found very useful.

I can´t find any embedded Videos you mentioned on MR

There´s only an PDF articel about OUICK & easy FLEXTRACK but no embedded videos.

Or am I sleeping.

If so please let me know.

I notice from your information that you are located in germany.

Thats right.I live in Schweinfurt,the former home of the BIG RED ONE.

If so, I would strongly suggest that you get a set of Krause track clamps to help you lay your flex track.

I know Krause track clamps.

The are really helpful in laying flex track.

But what I am worried about,should I decide to go with flex track, is how to lay out EASEMENTS.

There is an articel in MR 7/2004 at the top of page 49.

But in my opinion this example shown is to complicated for a beginner who is a sectional track modeller like I am.

 

Sorry for the information on top of your name.

Copy/Cut/Paste is not available in Mozilla and Firefox.

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[rxanand]

The PDF file that I lined to itself contains videos. You have to click on the images to see the videos.

Regarding easements: There are at least two ways to set up easements:

• The book on track planning by John Armstrong describes a good procedure to lay out easements. I my self used a variant of this approach on my layout.
  
• You can use a good track layout CAD program like 3rd Planit that allows you to lay out easements precisely.
  

[jeffrey-wimberly]

If you're sleeping then I am too because I can't find any embedded videos either.

[Johnnny_reb]

Try This YouTube Video

Not sure its what you want. I think that MRR has some of those combo "video/PDF" things on the subject.

As a caveat.. I have not watched the whole thing so I am not sure what method is used. I can't speak to the technique. I glue my flex track to cork and paint it afterwards.

Chris

Great link there Chris. Thanks for posting it.

[Santa Claus]

Hi rxanand

 

Regarding easements: There are at least two ways to set up easements:

• The book on track planning by John Armstrong describes a good procedure to lay out easements. I my self used a variant of this approach on my layout.
  
• You can use a good track layout CAD program like 3rd Planit that allows you to lay out easements precisely.
  

Thanks for your advice.

 

You have to click on the images to see the videos.

I´v clicked on the images.But there are no videos shown.

There arn´t even a button to click on.

 

[rxanand]

My apologies. You are indeed correct. I was looking at one PDF and linking you to another. There are no videos in this PDF. However, I do seem to clearly remember a nice PDF from Kalmbach about track laying that did have some embedded video. I will try to get you a link the correct PDF.

[CSXDixieLine]

Speaking of easements, when using the laminated spline roadbed method is it necessary to explicity form easements, or do the splines form these naturally as they are laid out? Jamie

[Santa Claus]

Hi rxanand,

rxanand

I will try to get you a link the correct PDF.

 

 

I´m looking forward to the link.

 

 

[ChrisNH]

Santa Claus

Unfortunately that guy on the videos didn´t lay out EASEMENTS

 

I have done easements three ways.

One is by letting my cad program draw the easement and transfer that to the roadbed material. I prefer this because it ensures I have the proper length of easement available before I go to do track.

Another is to use the bent stick method. A flexible stick to pin between the straight section and the curved section to make a natural transition. You need to have the tangent approach the curve offset slightly wider. I think 1/4" is what HO folks use? (I am in N..). A 1" or smaller wide strip of Masonite laid on its side works well for this.

Finally.. one can do it just like the bent stick but let the natural spring of the flex track find the easement with a little help from the ol' eyeball. I have had good luck doing this with Peco track which is very springy. Other track may not work so well.

Currently I do not lay easements out of the curved portion of a turnout. Per John Armstrong's book, the turnout can act as the easement. I am not sure I am happy with this. Anyone have thoughts on doing that?

Chris

[Santa Claus]

Hi ChrisNH,

thanks very much for your description how you done EASEMENTS.

Sounds not easy to me.

Can you post any pictures how you done it ???

 

ChrisNH

I have done easements three ways.

One is by letting my cad program draw the easement and transfer that to the roadbed material. I prefer this because it ensures I have the proper length of easement available before I go to do track.

Another is to use the bent stick method. A flexible stick to pin between the straight section and the curved section to make a natural transition. You need to have the tangent approach the curve offset slightly wider. I think 1/4" is what HO folks use? (I am in N..). A 1" or smaller wide strip of Masonite laid on its side works well for this.

Finally.. one can do it just like the bent stick but let the natural spring of the flex track find the easement with a little help from the ol' eyeball. I have had good luck doing this with Peco track which is very springy. Other track may not work so well.

Currently I do not lay easements out of the curved portion of a turnout. Per John Armstrong's book, the turnout can act as the easement. I am not sure I am happy with this. Anyone have thoughts on doing that?

Chris

[ChrisNH]

 Try this PDF.. despite being about passenger it has a very nice illustration of the bent stick method and explanation of easements.

http://www.trains.com/mrr/default.aspx?c=a&id=1965

 As for the CAD. if you look at the track plan of my practice layout

 

 You can see the easements. I print this full size (lots of 11x17 taped together..) then when I trace that onto my roadbed I need just follow the line I put down. Bent stick is easier if you are not already drawing stuff in a cad program.

Chris

[Santa Claus]

I find the bent stick method as shown in the PDF very interesting.

But the way you do it with CAD also arouses my interest.

I appreciate your help in laying easements very much.

 

Thanks ChrisNH

 

[Medina1128]

ChrisNH

Try This YouTube Video

Not sure its what you want. I think that MRR has some of those combo "video/PDF" things on the subject.

As a caveat.. I have not watched the whole thing so I am not sure what method is used. I can't speak to the technique. I glue my flex track to cork and paint it afterward.

Chris

I watched this pretty much in its entirety, and he doesn't get to actually laying the track until part 6. The first five parts were devoted to weathering and soldering rail joiners. The product he uses is a acrylic caulk from Elmer's. Below is a link to part 6.

Laying flex track

 

[Santa Claus]

 Hi guyes,

look what I´ve found on Model Railroader Webside.

http://www.trains.com/mrr/default.aspx?c=a&id=290