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Slow Track Laying On the Learning Curve (December 2019)


Northumberton

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Well, this track laying is taking ages and I'm still on the section that no one will see! All I can say is that it has been a useful learning curve . As you may be aware I'm working on an open frame layout with Woodland Scenics track underlay, DCC Supplies PowerBase and Peco code 100 track - the latter is part of my desire for extremely reliable running and slightly easier track laying due to the strength of the track pieces. Hidden curves use Peco set track radius 2, 3 and 4, the remainder is all streamline. The points are mainly large radius with just a few medium radius in the station sidings and loco yard. I have avoided any curved and short points again to aid reliable running.

 

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The section I'm working on runs down to a twin track reverse loop that acts as short term storage of trains as well as the obvious turning function. The track base is 9mm birch ply, to this the underlay is glued using Woodland Scenics foam glue. (see previous entry). I have laid the PowerBase plates using the same glue as I have found it to be extremely strong and easy to use, the underlay was coated with the glue using the roller and the same was done to the metal plates, these were left to dry for about 40 minutes and then the plates can be laid with an instant bond. The picture here shows the plates part way through the drying process, the glue turns clear as it dries. The big benefit for me was the removal of the need for weighing down the plates while they dried. 

 

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All the plates in place so the track laying can begin.

 

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I am soldering dropper wires to the underside of every track piece, I slide aside a couple of sleepers, clean the rail base with a fibreglass brush (wear rubber gloves as the fibres get into your skin, I also hoover up after every cleaning) flux the rail and add some solder. The droppers are prepared and tinned followed by soldering them to the rail. I then rinse the joint with Isopropyl Alcohol. This is all done at my bench having temporarily laid the track piece and marked where the droppers can go, choosing a location where the PowerBase plates already have holes.

 

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Having drilled through the holes and track bed I lay a piece of insulating tape over the holes and trim with a scalpel so that the wires are fully insulated from the plates - I do now want a wire to wear through its insulation and cause a short across the plate. If I'm in any doubt about the proximity of the soldered joint to the plate I also add an extra insulating sleeve over the solder - aka belt and braces. As I said this section is under the layout so would be a nuisance to have to repair it later.

 

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I decided to use screws for the track; I have found gluing too permanent if you make a mistake and rather messy, I've used pins but it is difficult to stop them creasing the sleepers so I have ended up with these fine screws. They are just a fraction wider than the holes in the Peco set track and 10mm long so that I can screw them into the ply base without bending the sleepers or crushing the foam underlay - they do need pre drilling with a very fine drill but so far I am very pleased with them and being black they are not too obtrusive. I'm now just reaching the first point and have started cutting a few of the PowerBase plates to site under it in order to keep clear of any moving parts. I think I'll fit the bus wires once the lower level is laid and then I can test the whole level. I have already run a loco along what has been laid under analogue control and I was impressed with how smooth and quiet it was and for now at least the fishplates are doing a good job of transferring the current.

 

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As I said at the start of this entry progress has been slow, it took a while to work out all the drill sizes and methods/processes but you very quickly start to speed up. I'm using 2 battery drills together with a dremel and a proxxon drill all with different bits/cutters and I still need to change a bit once in a battery drill in order to lay one piece of track! But now everything is to hand and the process practised, it is certainly getting easier.

 

Edited by Northumberton

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