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How to maintain a curve when joining flexible track?
Joining sections of flexible track mid-curve can often result in small but annoying straight pieces of rail where two sections of track meet in an otherwise perfectly flowing curve. This is caused by the metal rail's memory causing tension as it tries to return to its naturally straight resting position.
In many cases, a join midway through a bend is unavoidable because to create a complete curve using a single piece of flexible track would result in an incredibly tight radius, fortunately, there are a few tips to help eliminate these undesirable curve spoilers.
Traditionally, modellers have simply removed a couple of inches worth of sleepers from the ends of the tracks to be joined and manipulated the rails to adopt a more desirable resting memory before replacing the sleepers and joining the tracks, this method is perfectly valid but does require skill, patience and time.
Another solution is to use a tool called a 'Tracksetta'. This inexpensive but useful tool is a piece of shaped metal specifically designed to fit between the rails of model railway track. It acts like a backbone, holding track to the desired shape whilst it is glued into position. Tracksettas are available in 00 and N gauges and come in various radii so you can still use them to construct bespoke track plans.
To use a Tracksetta while constructing a flexible track curve, place the tool on the curve between the rails where the track sections join and glue the track to the baseboard leaving the tool in place until the glue has dried. Fixing track in this way will turn every sleeper-chair into a rigid anchor that will help the rail to retain a flowing shape.
A final solution is the flexible track holder from Proses, also available in N and OO gauge. This tool allows you to create any curve and even 'waves' out of flexible track. Well worth a look if you have lots of track to lay or need more flexibility than allowed by Tracksetta.
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