Cover

All Aboard!

Start With The Basics

Why The Track Is So Important

How Does The Power Supply Work?

Analog and DCC Explained

Layout Options Explained

Locomotives And Rolling Stock

What Should You Start With?

How Do You Create A Good Layout

More On Layouts and LDE

How to Create Realistic Scenery

Explain Weathering Techniques

How To Repair Problems

BONUS SECTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

Glossary of Important Terms

Model Railroad Yard Design Explained Step-By-Step

Model Train Layout Track Plans

Garden Railroads

Mastering An Airbrush Step-By-Step

More Model Railroad Resources

Track is made up of two metal rails separated by plastic tie sections. Each rail carries one side of the electrical circuit. To work properly, the two rails should not contact each other and no metal object should contact both rails together. This would cause a short circuit, which could damage your power pack if it happened too often.

Track comes in different types made of brass, zinc-coated steel, nickel silver and steel. Regardless of what they are made of, most track sets come with a terminal section so that you can hook it to the transformer. Brass track and zinc-coated steel track are common in starter sets and, when purchased separately, are usually cheaper in price than nickel silver tracks.

Explain Zinc-Coated Steel Track?

Zinc-coated steel tracks are another option, but the zinc can wear off. This can expose the steel that can then rust.

Explain Brass Track?

It is generally accepted that brass is the best conductor of electricity, but it does need a regular cleaning to keep it in good condition. This is because brass forms an oxide when in contact with the atmosphere, which creates a barrier to the current.

Explain Nickel Silver Track?

Nickel silver track also forms an oxide, but still makes for a good conductor on nickel silver tracks. The oxide that forms on nickel silver happens to be electrically conductive whereas that which forms on steel and brass is not. What this means is that after a while on steel and brass rails the trains tend to run erratically. This means you'll need to clean the rails frequently to avoid this problem. Using nickel silver rails means you will have better running trains and less time spent cleaning rails. That's why many train enthusiasts favor nickel silver tracks.

Return to top of page

How Can You Differentiate Between The Different Track Materials?

The different rail materials are easy to pick. Steel is a silver color (or rusty if not looked after properly). You can also use a magnet to find out if it is steel. Brass has its own distinctive color/s. Nickel silver is silver colored, but has a slight gold tint to it.

Explain Sectional Track?

Model railway track comes in sections for convenience and ease of use. You can purchase track in different lengths and shapes, straight and curved. Some snap together, and some are made on plastic roadbed sections. Sectional track is what most model railroaders start with simply because it's easy to use and it's what usually comes with the train sets.

Should You Choose Roadbed Or Standard Track? Again the choice is over to you and your personal preference. The plastic roadbed sections look like real railroad ballast and feature interlocking tabs that help hold the track sections securely in place. Roadbead (left) and Standard Track (right)

Roadbed track has the advantage of having a more realistic appearance without the mess involved in adding loose ballast and then having to glue it. The disadvantage is that it is more expensive than standard track. Another drawback is that the various makes are not always compatible with each other. Also, you are limited by the modular set track nature of the pieces.

Roadbed tracks are particularly good on temporary layouts because they are generally more stable. If you intend to set up a train set on the floor (not recommended), then roadbed track is the better option because it is slightly raised up. If standard track is put on the floor, especially on carpet, then no matter how clean you think it is, grit, hairs, fluff, cotton and things you never knew were on the floor will get inside and ruin the mechanism.

Quick Tip:

Ballasted track adds more scenic realism to a layout. However, you need to make sure that the electrics are all sorted out and that all the rail joiners are tight fitting before you start ballasting. Otherwise you may find that after you have ballasted your track, some sections of track wont work properly.

Return to top of page

How Do The Rail Joiners Work?

Sectional track comes with a rail joiner that is a slotted clip. Its function is to keep the track lengths together and also conduct the electricity. This is why the tracks need to fit snugly together. These joiners can wiggle loose when the train goes over the track, which can cause a derailment. To stop this happening you can nail the tracks down through the little holes in the middle of the ties.

Explain Other Track Options?

Apart from straight and curved sections, other track options include tracks for crossings and tracks made at different angles (so that tracks can cross each other or make figure eights). There are also turnout (switch) sections for sidings. A quick tip: on turnouts you might need to straighten the points occasionally with needle-nose pliers. You'll also find that in all the popular scales there are shorter fitter sections available. Shorter fitter sections, such as half curves and 1/4 straights, are needed to complete any plan more complex than a basic circle or oval layout. Many enthusiasts simply cut a section of track to fit.

What Are The Advantages Of Flexible Track?

Flexible track (often referred to as flex track or flexi track), as its name implies, can be bent to any shape you want. It usually comes in three-foot lengths. It has the advantage of being bendable which opens up new options when planning your layout. Flexible track can be curved or laid straight or any combination you wish. With flexible track there are usually fewer connections to worry about. It does however need to be nailed down to a board and the rails need to be trimmed to length as you bend the track.

Which Type Of Track Should You Use?

It does not matter what kind of track you use - it is entirely up to you. You can even use both kinds together. Most model railroad enthusiasts have their preference. Flexible track is more work to set up, but the extra time has the benefit of less joins. The curves can be more realistic too. Depending on where you live, flexible track is usually cheaper than the equivalent length of set track.

Return to top of page
© 2006 Robert Anderson, Market Leaders Ebooks, all rights reserved