Laying Fixed Rails on Curves

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September 5, 2016

Bert models N scale and asks readers:

” When laying flex track on a curve, should the “fixed” rail be on the inner or outer circle? Should this practice be followed throughout the layout for straights and sidings? “

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3 Responses to Laying Fixed Rails on Curves

David Stokes says:

September 25, 2016 at 8:04 am

In N scale rails can be glued to the roadbed with “White Glue” if you ever need to lift the track spray it with wet water. It is unusual these days to “fix” track with spikes or track nails as a permanent fixing, but if you do when using proprietary flex track, a spike every 6″ or so is sufficient, into the middle of the “tie”. Most brand have a blind hole in the centre to facilitate track spiking.

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Michael Pentecost says:

October 18, 2016 at 9:41 pm

If you place the “fixed” rail on the outside of the curve, you will not have to cut off (and waste) as many rail ties.

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nelson says:

October 19, 2016 at 1:04 am

I lay mine from a switch cutting about 3″ from the free rail and just pull the next rail into that track. This stagers the joints and you only need to cut once at the next switch. Keep the free rail on the inside of most of your curves.

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