Fitting Replacement Ties

[jaretos]

Another newbie question: I have soldered flex track, cutting ties back to complete process. I have glued track to cork roadbed. What is the best method to fit the replacement ties? Do they just fit in unattached to the rail? I am using code 83 atlas flex HO scale for the record. I was going to use my latex caulk to glue, but track is not spiked to the replacements. Thanks for the help as usual!

john

[simon1966]

John.

Take some scrap ties and shave off the top surface detail from one side. I just use my track cutting plyers to nip the raised detial off. Then after your track is dry you can slide the ties under the rails. Often the fit is snug and they will stay in place. If not, when you ballast and glue the ballast they will not move. I try to leave the outside spike detail on the scrap ties on the side that will face the viewer, and slide the ties under from that side. This way it is virtually impossible to tell where the replacement ties are, when casually viewing the layout. Also, I try and use scrap ties that are sill joined together to maintain the spacing (I use Atlas track). Sometimes the fit can be very tight if a tie falls in a place where a rail joiner has been used. In these situations, you may need to grind out a groove for the joiner to slot into to avoid having a bump in the track.

[rrinker]

Simon's got it down. Hopefully you've saved all those ties you cut off when laying the track. Plus you probably have short pieces of flex track that are pretty much useless leftovers - I strip the rail off those and end up with plenty of ties.
I use a small rounded file to make space for the joiner after I slice off the spikeand tie plate detail. With Woodland Scenics foam roadbed and caulk as an adhesive, the space is usually tacky enough to hold the ties in place until ballast is applied, but I stick a drop of white glue on them anyway just to be sure.

--Randy

[jaretos]

Thanks for the help! That is exactly what i have been doing, just wanted to make sure i was not missing anything. I really appreciate all your help! I hope to have some pics downloaded to share. I am doing a 4X8 with a 2X2 "L" extension to connect with the outside world and for a 2 track yard/ staging.

john