Block insulation question

Hi:

I'm putting together a little DC HO layout for the 1st time in decades, and to create blocks, is it better to use the insulated nylon rail joiners, or to use the normal metal ones, then slice the rail where I want and glue in some thin styrene as I've read that others do?

Wayne

Hi:

I'm putting together a little DC HO layout for the 1st time in decades, and to create blocks, is it better to use the insulated nylon rail joiners, or to use the normal metal ones, then slice the rail where I want and glue in some thin styrene as I've read that others do?

Wayne

Wayne L skriver:

If you use fexible tracks, the piont of isolation is not allways, where the normal metal joiner canbe replaced with the nylon (plastic) ones. So my recommendation is to just put everything togehter with metal joiners test the layout and then cut/isolate wherever it is needed.

Klaus

One occasionally not so minor problem with cutting the gaps after installing the track: If the gap is one a curve, the flex track can spring outwards as it tries to straighten itself, creating and angular joint. This will encourage derailments.

To prevent this, over-bend the flex before install it, to the point where you have to bend it outward to match the curve you want there. Then, before cutting the rail, drill pilot holes through every 2nd or

3rd tie for 6 to 8 inches on either side of the gap, and drive in long pins (not nails). This will hold the track in place.

HTH

I totally agree with Klaus here - metal joimers, then cut and fill. Two reasons. Plastic joiners are flexible, and if you use them between two lengths of track with curvature, they will allow the track to kink out of alignment. Secondly, depending on the temperatures in your layout room, I have seen rail expand through the plastic insulator to cause a very-difficult-to-locate short circuit. Caused quite some hubbub in the subbub.

Steve Magee Newcastle NSW Aust

I totally agree with Klaus here - metal joimers, then cut and fill. Two reasons. Plastic joiners are flexible, and if you use them between two lengths of track with curvature, they will allow the track to kink out of alignment. Secondly, depending on the temperatures in your layout room, I have seen rail expand through the plastic insulator to cause a very-difficult-to-locate short circuit. Caused quite some hubbub in the subbub.

Steve Magee Newcastle NSW Aust

Hi:

I'm putting together a little DC HO layout for the 1st time in decades, and to create blocks, is it better to use the insulated nylon rail joiners, or to use the normal metal ones, then slice the rail where I want and glue in some thin styrene as I've read that others do?

Wayne

Hi:

I'm putting together a little DC HO layout for the 1st time in decades, and to create blocks, is it better to use the insulated nylon rail joiners, or to use the normal metal ones, then slice the rail where I want and glue in some thin styrene as I've read that others do?

Wayne

"Wayne L" wrote in news:e3c94$457cc25e$d1cc45ed$ snipped-for-privacy@snip.allthenewsgroups.com:

Ok, we got your question. If you don't see your post, that doesn't necessarily mean it didn't get posted. If you're really wondering if it posted, search for your name on Google Groups.

Puckdropper

Why won't cutting the rail cause the same effect?

Cause, when you cut 'em, you cut 'em on the straight bits where there aint no curves. :-) Oh, and solder all fishplates on curves, too. Leave them to slide on the straights for expansion.

Steve

The length of unanchored track is longer where there is a railjoiner. The "cut" should be between ties and the length of unanchored track is shorter and the effect is less pronounced.

We stopped soldering the railjoiners a couple of years ago. The joiners are for alignment only. Each section of track gets its own powerdrop.

Flex track is woven together so that joints don't occur directly across from each other where ever possible.

Paul

Thanks for the advice Steve, Klaus and Mr. Puckdropper :-) Metal it is!! Which brings me to a 2nd question and request for advice. For my little quasi permanent layout, will the metal rail joiners maintain good contact through the coming years, or should I solder them?

Wayne

Either solder them or run feeds to each section of flextrack.

Wayne L skriver:

If you want the layout to fuction in many yeas, solder a wire to each rail. The rail itself will allways move a little and if you solder the joints, the solder will eventually break from the movements.

Im a part of a group running a small exhibision layout (150m2) We have bad experiance in soldering of joints...

Klaus

"Wayne L" wrote in news:55e54$457d8483$d1cc791a$ snipped-for-privacy@snip.allthenewsgroups.com:

As long as the metal joiners are tight, they'll hold the rails together and transfer power effectivly. If they're loose, all bets are off. They'll loosen if you're track's not secure.

Here's a tip: If your joiner is loose, place it in a pair of pliers with the top and bottom parallel to the face of the jaws. GENTLY squeeze the pliers and the joiner will hold tighter to the rail. You may want to turn the joiner around and squeeze it again as the pliers don't apply even pressure.

Puckdropper

I have added a small staging yard using code 83 Atlas #8 turnouts and their flex track. I used the metal rail joiners and soldered them to ensure electrical conductivity. I cut a gap in one rail far enough from the frog so trains taking the diversion route from the same turnout will not sideswipe the parked engine. This is also the place to mount a block signal ( dummy or operating). When running a train into a block, pull it up to the signal and stop. The signal is now the marker for the gap in the rail that is hard to see.

The three and four lengths of soldered joint flex track started to buckle a few weeks later as the Homa Bed and bench work shrunk. I cut gaps every three feet with a razor saw and filed the ends as necessary to remove the buckling. 3/8" phone wire was soldered to bridge the gaps. The wire was pre bent with a bulge so it could bend with the expansion and contraction of the bench work. What I'm saying is the track can now float independent of the bench work.

I will not cut a gap in curved track.

Ford or Chev? (Or Holden :-) ) Personally I only use rail joiners to align rails, wouldn't trust them as far as I can throw them to conduct electricity. Soldering a feeder to each track is my preferred way to go. Soldering rail joiners is again just to hold rails in alignment.

Strange isn't it, all the comments re this. I've had far better reliability with soldered joints, others swear at them where I swear by them. Whatever floats your boat, I reckon.

Steve Newcastle NSW Aust