Flex Track Question

[Anonymous]

I am looking into Micro Engineering Flex Track and am wondering how your experience is wth it. I have never built a layout, so I need some basic help here. How easy is this stuff to bend? For example, if I want to create a 10 inch radius turn for my N-scale layout, can this be doe with flex track, or is it advised to buy pre-cut sectional pieces for this. The 10 inch radius would be the tightest turn on my layout. Thanks again all!

[camarokid]

Seems everyone reading this is in HO, as I am, but flex track is flex track. A ten inch radius is a twenty inch circle. Is that what your'e looking for or do you really want a ten inch circle which brings it down to a 5 inch radius. The flex will make the 20 inch circle, but not a 5. Not being familiar with N-scale it's difficult to determine the answer to the question. I used to have a section of N-scale flex track that I used on a home built turntable, but I must have pitched it because I can't find it. The pit was 20" across the bridge and if memory serves me right, it was rather tight to get that rail nailed down. Can you get a section to try your radius? Or better yet, go to your LHS and try out your idea there. That way you will know if you need the pre-cut sectional pieces. This is rambling on and not helping you much. Just some ideas from me to you. I'm sorry I can't help you more, but someone in N-scale should be posting soon. Good luck.
Archie

[Anonymous]

Hey there, I just pinned down a piece of flex on a 12 inch radius last night and it works just fine. I even had it bent around further and it started to feel tight but doable. By the way yes I'm working with N scale but not ME track, just using Atlas due to ease of availability. It's 4:30 here, later tonight I'll be back up stairs and will give the 10 inch a try and then post back.


Chris

[Anonymous]

Since N is roughly half HO scale and HO uses 18" radius that would put N scale at a 9" radius. I would think N scale flex should be able to be installed down to a 9" radius curve.

[FThunder11]

I'm useing Micro Engineering HO flex track, and I love it, but the only thing is that if the rail comes out of the ties, its pretty hard to get back in

[Anonymous]

If memory serves, ME flex track is a lot stiffer than atlas flex track. You can bend Atlas flex track, let go of it, and it will return to its straight form. ME flex track is harder to bend and holds its position more, so this *might* make it harder to get it to make a tight curve like we're talking here.

I remember once buying a little tool the ME sells to help bending their flex track. IIRC it fit over the rails and you slide it along the rails as you bend it to help make a smooth curve. This seemed to help greatly.

Disclaimer: My only experience with ME flex track is that of the HO variety. The N stuff may be a different animal.

John
Underhill, VT

[Jacktal]

For a radius this tight,I'd use ready made sectional tracks for gauge integrity.I believe you could curve flextrack this tight but you'd then be pushing it's limits.I fear that maximum stress could develop into rail pinching,causing them to become out of gauge,thus causing mysterious derailments with some locos and/or rolling stock.Only my opinion...for what it's worthed...

[Anonymous]

Thank you all for your valuable input. I do not know what I would do without this help. [8D]

[Anonymous]

Most of my experience with ME track has been with their H-O flex track. The Weathered Flex is a lot harder to bend, but is still doable.
Right now I've got 3 pcs. of their N-Scale Code 70 flex on my siding and industry tracks.
It was a lot easier to use.
On my new layout I hope to use Atlas's Code 55 flex track along with their switches.
If I was going to start over in H-O, I would use Code 83 from Atlas.
Good luck,
gtirr

[Anonymous]

I built a figure 8 N scale layout inside a desk drawer using atlas flex track. The inside dimensions are 17 x 40.5. I did manage to get it to work but it was not easy. If i had to do it again i probably would suggest soldering the track together first and then try to bend that kind of radius so it will bend like one piece. The hardest part was keeping the joints tight. It did however work for me without any derailments. The only thing is you will probably be limited to the smaller engines. I am running a MDC 2-8-0 steam engine without any problems. Hope this helps.

[Anonymous]

Yeah!!!
Sorry it took longer than I thought, been preping for an interview, anyway I found a piece of ME in the junk box.Code 70 I'm pretty sure. 10inch radius a little stiff but I was able to run my GP20 thru it back and forth and it looked like it was holding the gauge just fine. Tried a 9inch radius and it looked really awkward but still went thru. By the way I got Atlas to go down to somewhere around an 8inch but anyfurther I think it would permanently hold the bend and ruin it.Talk about extreme engineering. I to would recommend soldering the track prior to bending any radiuses. On the 8 inch any mathematicians to figure proto size? Am I right in it being around 106 feet?


Chris