Gaps between track

[gm171 kk]

I have recently relaid all my track as it was made up mostly of old hornby track set track. This time I used become flexi track and there are parts where the locos just make a fairly loud thump when the pass over joints. These joints have small gaps cause by either cutting the rail too much or by the method I used to cut the track. I am just wondering how am I going to fix this problem as I'm afraid it will damage the wheels on my stock. Any help would be welcomed.

 

Also every time I change points to move from one ring of track to the other my trains just stop and the screen on my controller goes blank and starts to make a ticking sound. Help on this would also be appreciated.

Edited February 13, 2013 by gm171 kk

[Railer]

Get a tube of silver paste and put it into the gaps, let it set and sand it in with fine sand paper.

 

The second problem sounds like a short circuit protection issue. Get a multimeter and check for good continuity around your track circuits along the individual rails.

[BosKonay]

With a small pliers you should be able to grip the rail and pull it to close the gap a bit?

 

The shorting, sounds like you need insulated joins at the crossing - have you a pic?

[gm171 kk]

Thanks for the help lads. Here are the pics BosKonay.

[irishthump]

Like Boskonay said you need to put insulating joiners where the points meet on the crossing, that will stop the short occurring.

 

As for the gaps in the track, I would'nt worry about them damaging wheels it's only an issue if stock is derailing. It's a good idea to leave a small gap at a join to allow for expansion of the track in hot weather.

I have also read comments on forums where modellers cut gaps in the track to simulate the "click-clack" of real rolling stock travelling over joints in the track.

 

Can you post a pic of the gaps that you're worried about?

Edited February 13, 2013 by irishthump

[Broithe]

If you look carefully at some layouts featured in the various magazines, you can notice some fairly alarming gaps at times. It matters less on a straight.

 

It is my belief that the hot/cold variation can be as much to do with the baseboard shrinking as the rail expanding.

[gm171 kk]

Here's the pics of pretty much half the joints on the layout:( The joint in the last pic is the worst.

Edited February 13, 2013 by gm171 kk

[Dave]

That's a very big gap, can you slide the rail closer?

 

The baseboard can play a big part in expansion, if you use soft wood and ply the soft wood will expand and contract quite considerably. I use MDF as it is very stable and doesn't move very much.

[irishthump]

To be honest I have seen worse on exhibition layouts!

 

I would be more worried about the height difference at the join in that last pic. You might try bending the ends of the flexitrack down a little then re-joining them, or maybe squeeze the fishplates with a pliers they look a little distorted.

[gm171 kk]

I suppose I could try pull the rails together and it will leave a big gap somewhere and I can fill that in with a bit of spare rail, but some of them don't have gaps like in the last picture and that makes the worst sound when a loco is passing over it.

 

I will try that too irishthump.

[irishthump]

You could also cut a tiny offcut of rail if you have any spare and slide it in at the join to close it up. Fiddly job, but do-able.

[gm171 kk]

Thanks for your help lads, I'll have something to do for the weekend anyway.

[BosKonay]

I've a little gap due to my point geometry in the station throat. I put a little three mil length of track with a joiner on both ends and used it to close the gap.

 

You wouldn't notice it now.

[gm171 kk]

Get a tube of silver paste and put it into the gaps, let it set and sand it in with fine sand paper.

 

The second problem sounds like a short circuit protection issue. Get a multimeter and check for good continuity around your track circuits along the individual rails.

 

What is this silver paste Railer and where can it be bought?

[Hunslet 102]

The final pic is the most worrying,as it appears by the way you have cut the rails that there is a rough edge sticking up,which will cause a derailment.It would be best to trim it back a couple of mm's and ensure your cut is flush.HTH.

[irishthump]

What is this silver paste Railer and where can it be bought?

 

You can do the same job with solder but it needs a fair bit of cleaning up afterwards.