That said, I recommend that you gap both rails, especially if
you are building a new layout. Why? As I mentioned, you need
to be consistent throughtout the layout and it is easy to gap
the wrong rail in a very inconvenient place. If they are both
gapped in the construction phase, it is simply a wiring change
to adjust which rail is isolated.
My preferred method of gapping is to use the thinnest (0.02")
cutoff wheel in my rotary tool and slice the rail in a straight
section of track. Let me say that again, “in a STRAIGHT section
of track.” Gluing a piece of 0.02" thick piece of (black) styrene
in it makes the gap disappear. I use the fine-grit emery boards
(from the beauty supply store) to smooth out the top and sides
of the rail head, especially the inside. Plastic sticking out from
the web will be mostly covered by ballast and not very obvious.
The result is much better looking than the ugly insulating join-
ers, to my eye.
2
2: Resistor wheesets from Jay Bee – photo by the author.
