Connecting track

[tstage]

I'm just starting to design and build my own layout. Right now I'm working on a 4 x 8' table that I would eventually like to turn into a peninsula, as part of a around the wall layout. [:p] (My wife is actually warming up to the idea. [:D] )

I'm going to ask a stupid question but...I'm learning you can always learn quite a bit from stupid questions. You just have to swallow your pride and ask it.

I have quite a bit of Atlas Code 83 sectional track. I just bought a Code 83, 90-degree Walther's/Shinohara crossing to try out with my Atlas track. (I wasn't very happy with the Atlas 90-degree crossing that I purchased. It was quite noisy and I thought I'd take a chance on a different brand.)

Well, when my crossings arrived today, I suddenly realized that the Atlas rail joiners were NOT going to fit on the Shinohara crossing. (The rail ends are very similiar to the Atlas flex track - no recess for a rail joiner.)

My question is: What's the best way to attach together sectional track with a piece of track that has no rail joiner recess? I'm still solidifying my layout design so...I would prefer something "temporary" so that I can still try out ideas. Does the Shinohara track take different joiners? Can I just trim short an Atlas joiner to fit the crossing?

I would appreciate any input any of you "experts" might have for me. Thanks!

Signed,

"Nic" (Novice in Cleveland)

[simon1966]

Hi Nic

Since you want to do something temporary, the cut down rail joiner would work fine. I have not uses the Shinohara track but did this on a couple of places using Peco. Of course a more permanent connection could be achieved by carefully removing a tie from the end of the track section, using a full rail joiner, soldering the connection and then sliding the removed tie back under the rails when the track is nailed or glued to the roadbed.