Joints

[Anonymous]

I've recently built a "lift out" section for my HO layout. How do I make the tracks join at either side of the lift out section without massive gaps that will derail trains?

[cmrproducts]

When I built a movable bridge at the entrance to my layout room I had to come up with a way to do the same thing. The bridge has 2 tracks on it and they are at different levels. The bridge is a swinging gate setup so the one end of the bridge was built at an angle, which compounded the problem even more!

I finally decided to just clamp the bridge closed. Then laid the roadbed and then the track right through in one piece. I added PC board ties right where the ends of the bridge would be. I then nailed down the PC board ties. As an added precaution I also added glue to several ties back on either side of the opening. I am using Atlas code 100 flex. I let the glue dry for several days and let the trackwork stabilize for about 2 weeks. I wanted to be sure that the bridge would be used to the dampness of the basement and if I had to make any changes to the trackwork before I cut the rails.

Now that the bridge had stabilized and I ran a few operating sessions over the bridge and all seemed ok, I cut the rails with a motor tool and the thinnest blade I had. The then opened the bridge to check for any binding and if the rails would catch each other as the bridge swung past the cut ends. I then filed the rail ends to make sure all was smooth and then tried running a train across once the bridge was back closed!

There was some minor tweaking that needed to be done but it worked well. In the summer the bridge does get a little tuff to open and close but does not pose a problem.

It has been operating every other Thursday night for the past 2 years without any problems. And I do not have any interlocking to keep the trains from running into the abyss! But I probably will have to in the future.

BOB H Clarion, PA

[dknelson]

Maybe I am not exactly understanding the question ... but some years ago Model Railroader had an article where a guy used an ordinary sliding gate lock to hold the movable piece in place.
Dave Nelson

[Anonymous]

Thanks a lot. I screwed it in place, layed the track, then cut it thin. when I have my bridge in place a simple screw holds it there. thanks for the help!