Fast Tracks

I'm considering hand-laying my HO scale, standard gauge track (obviously or I wouldn't be here) and wondered if it would work OK to solder my straight (meaning non-turnout) rails to PC board ties instead of spiking them? Perhaps every fourth or fifth tie could be a PC board tie instead of a wooden one.

I have a couple reasons for considering this. One is that I have some older steam engines I really want to use. They run OK on code 83 rail but I'm not sure they'd work on code 70 with spikes, but by eliminating the spike I thought I'd get more clearance. It also seems a soldered joint would be stronger especially using silver-bearing solder, it would be less likely to work loose. The rails would be less likely to shift length-wise, and in looking at real tracks you really can't see the spikes from any distance so it seems it would look more prototypical. Plus a good portion of the track-work could be done built at the work-bench using templates instead of laying track in-place.

The downsides seem to me to be hiding the PC board ties (same problem I'd have with the turnouts though) and making sure the wooden ties are the same thickness as the PC board ties (ditto on the turnouts).

I'd glue the ties down before attaching the rails and set the rails using three-point track gauges.

Does anyone else use this method?

Hi,

Actually, I use this method! Instead of re-explaining it here, I will post a link where you can find some pictures of how I do this....


http://www.handlaidtrack.com/port-kelsey/index.php?p=33

I am not concerned about hiding the PC board ties on the completed trackwork, I intend on painting the wood ties, PC ties and rail all at once. The ballast will hide any thickness mismatch between the PC ties and the rail.

_________________
Cheers!

Tim Warris
Fast Tracks
http://www.fast-tracks.net
service@fast-tracks.net