DingySP Hmm...I like the idea of drilling through the tie, for a more positive attachment point. Maybe some type of staple, with one leg going through the tie.
Hmm...I like the idea of drilling through the tie, for a more positive attachment point. Maybe some type of staple, with one leg going through the tie.
Turn your Atlas code 83 flex ties-up, and you will find that there are dimples every three inches or so. Drilling those through is the quick and dirty way to make holes for track nails.
You can either use staples, or single-point fasteners, through those holes.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
I have been using "T" pins that are available at hobby craft stores such as Michels. Use a pin vise drill, and drill down through the railroad tie on the outside of the rails. I have also drilled down through the center of the tie between the rails with no clearance issues. I have included a photo on my older layout showing the head of the T pin ahead of the locomotive. These will stay in place several years without problems until you are ready to permanently secure the flex track to the foam.
MisterBeasley Get a box of paperclips. Straighten the ends out until they are U-shaped, like old-style hairpins. These will hold track in place on 2-inch foam very well. They can be used over the ties, and you can push one end through the small center holes in the Atlas ties. I had track temporarily mounted for 2 years or more using this technique.
Get a box of paperclips. Straighten the ends out until they are U-shaped, like old-style hairpins. These will hold track in place on 2-inch foam very well. They can be used over the ties, and you can push one end through the small center holes in the Atlas ties. I had track temporarily mounted for 2 years or more using this technique.
Brilliant! That's what I will do. I will make sure to solder the track together, because almost all this track will be curved.
And thank you Chuck, for your always valuable advise.
Assuming that you are planning to re-lay the same track in the same configuration later, take the time to pre-bend your flex track so that it will lie very close to where you want it with no fasteners whatever. Then either use Mister Beasley's paper clip staples or some other type of long, skinny fasteners through the track nail holes in the ties. By long, skinny fasteners I mean dressmakers' straight pins, t-head pins or fine wire nails - or even track nails. Pre-bending the flex will eliminate almost all of the lateral thrust against the fasteners.
What I just described is the way I do my tracklaying - tacked down temporarily, run over with my designated derailment check train, then used in ordinary operation. Every so often (whenever somebody presents me with a round tuit) I lift the temporary fasteners and re-lay the track, fastening it with grey latex caulk.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Hi Guys
Soon I will start building the first stage of my layout. Basically this will be a large loop around the room that will eventually be part of the staging area. About a quarter of this will be a sheet of 2" foam, with track laid directly on it. Later this will be replaced with WS foam risers.
So, what is the best way to attach the track (Atlas code 83 flex) to the foam so that it can be removed and reused later?
Thanks for your help, Tom