Track Theory Question

[claycts]

Is there any reason why you can not solder MORE than 2 sections for a curve?
Code 83, HO. radius is 40" and 60".
The 40" is under a town and it will take about 5 sections to go from one end to the other of the tunnel.
Take Care
George P.

[dragonriversteel]

Hello George,

I think its a lot easier to use flex track, instead of soldering many pieces of track together. Saves time and less stress....verses swearing,burning your hand much more than ,I'm sure you'ld like to.

Patrick
Beaufort,SC
Dragon River Steel Corp {DRSC}
Making HO steel by the ton!!!!!!

[ericboone]

I can't think of any reason except the following:
If your subroadbed is plywood, then the changes in humidity will cause the wood to shrink and expand quite a bit, causing the track to buckle. The non-soldered joints can act like expansion joints. For that reason, I would not use plywood as a subroadbed, especially three ply. Five ply is better. I will be using blue board extruded foam but have also considered using a spline construction with masonite.

[Anonymous]

Well, it's still okay to use plywood, as long as you prepare for the expanding/contracting.

-Brace the plywood with boards underneath
-Do not solder all track sections
-Leave small breaks between the track sections occasionally (not too big, not too small)

In response to your question, the only reason I can see would be for the expanding/contracting. But, then again, I'm still new at this myself.

[selector]

If you can keep humidity within a 20% range year-round, you should be fine. If I understand your question, you are wondering if it makes sense to solder three or even more sections of flex-track on a bench prior to bending them around a desired curve? If so, yes, by all means. However, you can appreciate that they become very difficult to handle in order to prevent permanent twisting, or torsion, of the rails themselves if they are not supported well during handling.

I think some members here have soldered up to three sections at a time. Four would be too much, in my opinion.

So, especially for curves, it is a big help. However, I would leave a gap at the immediate ends of each curve to prevent the subroadbed and other materials from tearing it up during large changes in humidity or temperature.

[claycts]

Selector, thank you. I will go to 3 max in this one area. We are soldering both rails on the curves and alternat on the straight.
Thank you
George P.