Track construction tips

Track construction

Make sure that the tracks are laid clean and tidy. Many model railroaders prefer flex track. When working with flex track, we recommend our track radius templates and track construction clips. Our track templates can be used on straight sections and in curves. Arches and curves are laid quickly and easily with the radius templates and fixed in the radius with the track construction clamps. The track radius templates should be fixed beforehand in order to lay the tracks. If you now place the track with the sleeper outsides (heads) on both sides of the template, this automatically results in a track center distance of 55 mm (H0) or 33.6 mm (N). Now cut the tracks to length with the track cutter and then fasten them to the track board with track construction screws or nails. It is also possible to use a track clamp to cut the tracks to length. This should be fixed at the point where the cut should or must be made. In this way you always cut parallel and at right angles to the rail.
The radius templates can also be used to lay parallel tracks and fixed with the track construction clamps. The set with the parallel clamp is recommended for this.

Important tips:
Please make sure that the switches are installed cleanly.
Pay particular attention to the ease of movement of the switch tongue and the setting threshold.
Rail connectors should be tight and clean. Loose connectors interrupt the current flow in the track!
An optimal power supply is ensured by soldering a cable to the rail connectors beforehand.
Then solder the cables to a ring line. This eliminates ugly soldering points on the rail.
When working with flex track, there are no unnecessary rail joints.
Working with the track radius templates is precise and the automatically correct track center distance results.
The radius templates can also be used as a planning aid. It is important to ensure that the sleeper heads = external dimensions of the template.
With the track cutter we offer you can work directly, easily and quickly on the layout because it is angled.
This eliminates the hassle of marking, cutting to length and adjusting again.
The track saw is recommended for cutting points. The cut is very fine and clean. The track saw is suitable for all non-ferrous metals.
When working with a cutting disc, heat is generated which can lead to discolouration in the track and the material annealing. In addition, if the heat is too high, the hardware can melt. Working with our screw or nail fix is ​​vibration-free.

When working with bedding (cork or similar), please cut the edges of the bedding to fit. If a wider bedding is desired, increase the distance between the sleeper ends and the cut edge of the bedding accordingly. For this we offer a track underlay or bedding cutter, which is adjustable in width and depth. The cut has an inclination of 40°.

Important tips:
Roughly pre-cut the track underlay.
Use glue or glue to attach to an auxiliary line on the track board as needed.
The selected track attachment offers additional support and pressure.
Then cut to size with the bedding cutter and remove excess.
Remove glue or glue residue. If necessary, allow to dry and scrape off. Before ballasting,
Clean the surfaces and edge areas of the track with a vacuum cleaner.
If you want the rails to look aged (rusty), this operation should be done before ballasting.

We would like to point out that our tips are non-binding and not generally applicable.

© Werkzeuge Peter Post