Module

[traingeek087]

http://www.pbase.com/espeeboy/image/17451315

Module looks great, my Q is how does he keep the track where the tables join circular, why don't the trains derail there, this seems like a stupid question, but look at the photo close, there are no guard rails where they join or anything.

[cacole]

He probably uses a piece of Atlas curved snap track, per NMRA module standards if it is HO scale, or N-Trak standards if it is N scale.

[ckape]

If I were doing that I'd lay the track across the joints and cut the track at the joints after they've been fully secured.

Gary Green (the guy who made that module) did a writeup on the construction of that module, but I couldn't find anything about what he did for intra-module joints in it, but you can double check:

http://www.garymgreen.com/trackwork_handbook_frameset.htm

[Anonymous]

I would definitely span the modules with a section of snap trak or flex track. I've seen too many cases in an N-Trak layout where a double module was built as two units designed to be placed together. The track was laid across the joint and when it was "fully secured" the rail was cut. It may line up a time or two but after that you can count on problems as there is too much flexing and bending of each section to permit an accurate line up every time. If you dont want to span the joint with snap or flex track than at least cut back on each rail by 1/32" , undercut one side of the track and slide a rail joiner on that track. After the modules are set in place, slide the rail joiners in place and that may work.

Ed Schultz

[darth9x9]

Our club standard is to use Atlas 6" snap track between modules. It works very well!

[traingeek087]

But they don't make snap track for that large of radius.

[GDamen]

In Europe a common method is using brass screws as a fixation point and soldering the tracks onto them. It's used bij the FREMO-people for decades and has proven to be strong and precies.
I have included two pictures to show the principle. The fact that the track show is Marklin K-track doesn't matter. This technic universal.





Gino

[Jetrock]

Atlas is not the only company that makes curved pieces of track! It doesn't look like that wide of a radius...it could either be a curved section of track that snaps into place, or simply rail joiners like one would use anywhere else to connect one piece of rail to another. If one is careful about tolerances and attachment it would certainly be possible to connect modules flu***o each other in that fashion.