I have a spot on my layout where I have found that I need track that has a radius smaller than the standard 15". (I am unable to get a piece of flex track to work in the turntable slot.) As this will be part of a yard feeding into a sanding rack, the speeds will be slow enough and the engines I deal with (GP20s, SW1, SW7s, SW1000) are short enough that I don't forsee a problem. Anyway, the pieces of track that I see as possibilities are the following: Trix's 62115 or 62130 and Marklin's 2210. (If anyone has any other sectional track ideas, feel free.) The questions are this: First for all three, what code of rail are these pieces? Again for all three, do they require special rail joiners or would I need to get special joiners? On the Marklin piece, is it 2-rail, or 3-rail? I know they make both. (The picture I see of it on Walthers' site isn't very clear.) On the Trix pieces, does the roadbed come off like the Atlas Tru-Tracks or are they permanently attached?
Thank you for any assistance the forums can provide.
Marklin is a "3-rail" system. It has little studs in the ties (half way betwen the rails) for electrical contact. They are inconspicious, but can be sen in the Walthers catalog photo. Track not compatable with "2-rail".
I believe Marklin owns Trix. The Trix track is a "2-rail" equivilant of Marklins "3-rail". I am not familar with it, however based on the best photo I could find (Google image search, photo which also showed ends of a Marklin and a Trix section) it looks to me like the the ties are part of the roadbed, not seperate. If I am correct the roadbed and track cannot be seperated.
Walthers lists Rivarosi code 100 14-5/8 radius track. Not in stock -Spec. Order Adv Res"
I tried to sell my two cents worth, but no one would give me a plug nickel for it.
I don't have a leg to stand on.
Both Marklin and Trix track won´t be usable for you, but Roco makes track that should fit - see here.
Sir Madog Both Marklin and Trix track won´t be usable for you, but Roco makes track that should fit - see here.
I presume you are referring to item numbers R-42408 and R-42422 as the 358mm converts to 14.09 in.
The only other problem that I forsee is that their minumum order for new customers is 45.00. I can't come up with anything from European manufacturers to make up an order that large. I only think I need would be at most 2 pieces of each of the above referenced numbers.
For short sections and/or odd curves I use rail and ties and just handlay it. Much easier than trying to find odd lengths or curves. Use an NMRA gauge or track gauges to maintain gauge.
Good luck
Paul
Reynaulds Euro Imports - located in illinois. I have ordered some non-railroad items in the past, never had a problem
Roco track Code 83 without roadbed
https://www.reynaulds.com/catalog/dept_633.aspx
IRONROOSTER For short sections and/or odd curves I use rail and ties and just handlay it. Much easier than trying to find odd lengths or curves. Use an NMRA gauge or track gauges to maintain gauge. Good luck Paul
Unfortunately, that is an area that I have no desire to even attempt. The closest I have gotten to working with rail and ties in that way are the ties that I have used in my crossings and the rail and ties that were used to build the unloading ramp on my team track.
DSchmitt Reynaulds Euro Imports - located in illinois. I have ordered some non-railroad items in the past, never had a problem Roco track Code 83 without roadbed https://www.reynaulds.com/catalog/dept_633.aspx
I took a look at that site and that seems to be a very good option for what I need.
Why not just buy a piece of flex track from your LHS?? It should bend to whatever small radius you need, and will be compatable with your existing track.
George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch
As I mentioned in my original post, for the application in question flextrack won't stay properly aligned in the turntable slot. (It had tried at least two or three times.) If the need arises, I might try flextrack after I put the curves in. (I have ordered two each of the Roco curves that were referenced and I should have them later this week.)