I have always followed my Grandmother's adage; Waste not, want not, so I used sectional track that I had on hand for my service yard along with snap track switches( code 83). By using a feeder for each siding, I haven't had any problems to speak of and my yard has been in place for 10 years.
CN Charlie
richhotrain What I find interesting about your post is that you don't say that you cannot afford to buy additional flex track. You are simply running out of flex track, and you have sufficient sectional track on hand to complete the yard. If that is the case, then buy the additional flex track to complete the yard and add feeders to each section of flex track. Rich
What I find interesting about your post is that you don't say that you cannot afford to buy additional flex track. You are simply running out of flex track, and you have sufficient sectional track on hand to complete the yard. If that is the case, then buy the additional flex track to complete the yard and add feeders to each section of flex track.
Rich
I agree. If using code 83, you can get 5 pieces from MBK for about $22 and code 100 for about $20; that shouldn't break the bank in many cases.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
SpartanCook So I am finishing up laying track on my layout and will be completing my yard last. I am running out of flex track. Will i run into any electrical issues using sectional track straights in my yard? or will i just have to have a bunch more feeders? I will be upgrading to DCC at christmas.
So I am finishing up laying track on my layout and will be completing my yard last. I am running out of flex track. Will i run into any electrical issues using sectional track straights in my yard? or will i just have to have a bunch more feeders? I will be upgrading to DCC at christmas.
Alton Junction
I would use the sectional track snd remove the plastic D's from the ends just like flex track you then have a place to easily soldier the joiners and feeders and you can replace the D's with left ovet ties (I sacrificed one piece of flex just for this purpose)
Since yard track is generally not raised I would tack it directly on the ground (not glue it and lightly sprinkle the ground cover or ballast if you plan on replacing it later on.
Joe Staten Island West
I would solder a feeder to every other rail joiner and solder the joiner to the track sections. That way ever piece of track is getting powered directly from a feeder wire. To me soldering feeders to every joint is like wearing a belt and suspenders.
Hello all,
Use the sectional track and solder each connection to make runs equal to the length of flex track you will eventually replace them with. You can get away with using one feeder wire per temporary section.
This will get your yard up and running sooner allowing you to fine tune the trackage.
It will also allow you install the feeder wires where necessary for the future upgrade.
I am constantly modifying sectional track to suit my needs; cutting to length or removing the underside material between the ties to make DIY flex track.
Or...be patient and wait for the flex track to arrive.
If it were me I'd get the yard up and running and then upgrade as the opportunity arises.
Hope this helps.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"
I agree with Bigdaddy. If you know that you will be replacing it with flex track, then don't finish it. If you would like to finish it but flex tack is in the future, don't glue the ballst down.
With a seperate feed to each yard lead, you could add a switch to each feeder. Then you could shut off power to unused tracks, or tracks with engines just parked on them. If the engines have sound in them this cuts down on the current draw when powering up your layout.
And don't worry about looks. From the pictures I have seen, yards are the least maintained part of the rail road.
The bane of good looking track is rail joiners. Every three feet is hard enough to hide. Every nine inches would be an issue for me.
BigDaddyIf you don't like the way sectional track looks and have money in the future, it will be easy to replace with flex track.
I've got to disagree with that. If you bury the ties in a fine cinder/dirt/weed looking ballast (ie make it look like a yard) it will not be at all convenient to pull up and replace later.
I have the right to remain silent. By posting here I have given up that right and accept that anything I say can and will be used as evidence to critique me.
Solder the rail joiners, but not to the turnouts. Then a feeder to every yard track. If you don't like the way sectional track looks and have money in the future, it will be easy to replace with flex track.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
As long as you have a feeder on each of those straight sections, it should be good. Myself, I would just wait until I can afford the new flex and sell off the sectional track...
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
Thanks for the info,
Spartan