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Ties and rail joiners

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  • Member since
    November 2002
  • From: US
  • 2,455 posts
Posted by wp8thsub on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 6:43 PM

DSC03173

by wp8thsub, on Flickr

I typically use wood ties under joiners, as in the near track above, just below and to the right of the reporting marks on the flat car.  If the wood is just slightly thinner than the plastic ties, it should slide easily into place under the joiners without creating a bump at the joint.  For example, HO scale 6X8" lumber works with Micro Engineering or Shinohara ties, as it's just a bit less than the ~7 scale inch thickness of the plastic.

Rob Spangler

  • Member since
    March 2020
  • 86 posts
Posted by FlattenedQuarter on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 6:21 PM

I sand down the back until they slip under. I don't understand why atlas doesn't sell pack of the last three ties from their straight sectional track that you can slip onto the end of flex

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Bakersfield, CA 93308
  • 6,526 posts
Posted by RR_Mel on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 6:19 PM

I just use a #11 blade and cut out the spike plates plus a little bit for the joiner and slid them in place.
 

Mel



 
My Model Railroad   
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
 
Bakersfield, California
 
I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

  • Member since
    February 2017
  • From: Harrisburg, PA
  • 660 posts
Ties and rail joiners
Posted by hbgatsf on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 6:10 PM

My layout was built with flex track.  I cut off several ties at each end, put rail joiners on, and then soldered them together.  I saved those ties to finish the job. 

Now I want to finish this up and ballast.  I have tried a few ideas to fit ties under the rail joiners but haven't been satisfied with the result.  

What's the trick to this project?

 

Rick

Rick

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