chita marlith

Track Adjustments

It�s been a while since my last update, and even though I�ve been very busy with work, I�ve spent the last month and a half fine tuning my wiring and most of all, the track. I have not had much time to make any significant structural progress in the last little while, so I�ve spent the little time I�ve had to make adjustments to my track to ensure my engines run as smoothly as possible. As this is my first layout, every aspect of this project is a huge learning curve.

When I originally laid my track, I did not realize how extremely important it was to ensure track was perfectly level, especially through a curve or a curved grade. Even the smallest inconsistency in track level is enough to derail an engine. I found that these inconsistencies were most common where 2 pieces of track joined together. To solve this, I make sure each adjoining piece was perfectly level, then soldered them together to make sure they didn�t come apart afterwards. For areas where the actual road bed wasn�t level, I used thin foam risers under the track to keep the track perfectly level (as seen below).


I spent a lot of time running each of my engines back and forth over several section of problem track, closely watching each wheel to make sure it wasn�t lifting off the track. I managed to work out all the problem areas I was having, and everything runs a lot smoother. I also had to make a few small adjustments with my wiring, but nothing major.
I am now into the planning stages of building the actual ground terrain and elevations of my layout, which I hope to have completed by the end of May. I�m also trying to find the best way to build the standards for my trackside signals to mount to.