Buying(?) or making 24" curved track

[Anonymous]

I'm tring to model the Auto Train, needing 24" radius track I've decided to utilize flex track, the question is, "How do I bend the track to the radius I need and keep it at that curve"? I was thinking of marking a board to measure 24" and two pieces of flex track to each other and bend them to form a semi-circle and then secure them in that configuration. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[ckape]

I think one of the most common methods is to draw the centerline for the track using a large stick and a friend as a compass, and then just follow that centerline while laying down your track, whether you use glue or nails. For a curve that sharp you might want to put some easements in, though.

[Don Gibson]

A Yardstick with holes or a string tied around a carpenter's pencit (Home Depot) becomes a Trammel. Measure off 24". Now With a black Magic Marker retrace the curve.
Assuming you have a plywood sub-roadbed:
Lay a half of a section of cork around the outside of the curve . Nail in place or glue or both.Then press the other half into place against the outer cork circle. Nail or glue or both.

Bend your Flextrack into a curve following the cork, aligning the track centers to follow the center-line of the cork. The inner rail closest to you will become longer. Cut off. Some Flextrack has holes in the Center for short nails. Other's have holes every 5" or so alongside the rails for spikes. if you are using this, make sure you spike both sides of the rail.

NOTE: Accepted practice is to connect TWO of flextrack together to make or start the curve and solder while straight, before curving. If you need more pieces for the curve, add them to the ends while straight and solder then curve. Do not solder the other joints. EYEBALL the curve to make sure you have no kinks. Run your longest wheelbase engine on it for testing. 12 wheeled Diesels work.

[EL PARRo]

Here's the method that I use to make curves. I use a tape measurer, two push pins, some fishing line, and a mechanical pencil (I prefer one with thick .9mm lead). I take the fishing line and on one end I tie it to a push pin. I then measure out the distance I want (in this case, 24") and tie the other push pin at that exact distance. I then write 24 on the top of each push pin with a fine point sharpie and store it on a board. When I want to use it I take it off the board, remove one of the push pins and replace it with a pencil. I place the remaining push pin at the center of the desired radius and and rotate the pencil around it to draw a curved line at the exact radius. When I'm done with it, I remove the pencil and put the other push pin back in and put it back on a board for storage for later use.