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Can I file the metal rails on my track?
Sometimes when track laying doesn't go as smoothly as planned, you can easily end up with a slight step or jump in the rails where they join. When that happens, some modellers use a file to smooth out the step, but is that really ok?
A suitable metal file can indeed be used to smooth out any jumps or steps in the rails allowing wheels to run seamlessly from one section to another, however, there are a couple of things you need to consider first.
Firstly, if you're using a metal file on your track, the rail surface will become incredibly scored at a microscopic level, this may not visually be a problem, but it will leave your track prone to oxidisation which after time may affect conductivity. Whether this is likely to cause you problems will depend on many factors such as the amount of pick ups your locomotives have and how often you clean your track. For most modellers, microscopic scores do not cause any significant problems, but many meticulous modellers would disagree.
Secondly, be aware that after using a file on track that's already laid, all of the little metal fillings and dust that you have shaved off will lie around in your ballast and between your sleepers just waiting to be attracted to the magnetised motors of your favourite locomotives, and that's an engine killer. So ensure that all metal is thoroughly removed from your track afterwards by using either a magnet or a hoover and you should be fine.
Posted in: Tracks
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