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Track Laying

Track Laying

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(Use AnyRail to show track/roadbed design.)

Under track components three types were mentioned: sectional, flex and hand laid.  Sectional track is the simplest consisting of preformed straight, circular, crossing and switch (sometimes called a "turnout") with ties attached.  Sectional track is simply connected and then tacked or glued to the roadbed.

Flex track also has ties attached, typically comes in three foot lengths and may be bent to form curves.  Note that on a curve the outside rail will be longer than the other and this must be taken into consideration when joining sections of flex track.  Like sectional track, flex track is glued or tacked to the roadbed.

Many serious model railroaders prefer to hand lay track and even build switches from bulk rail.  Hand laid individual ties many also be used.  Further discussion of this topic is beyond the scope of this discussion.

References:
http://www.nmra.org/beginner/track.html
http://www.nmra.org/standards/sandrp/rp-10.html (Pretty heavy going)
http://www.gatewaynmra.org/handlaid.htm
http://www.building-your-model-railroad.com/model-railroad-track.html

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