Up the Creek Column - 13
To smooth the curves I place the MLR track tool on the rails,
apply a tiny twisting force (not enough to bend the track), then
slide it along the track. This lets me feel places where the cur-
vature changes. Using minimum twisting or side to side pres-
sure I gently nudge the rails until the track feels smooth when I
run the tool along it.
Sighting along the rails is a good idea on curves, too. If you
can’t get your eyes into position, try putting a small mirror ver-
tically on the track and sight along the reflected rails.
Weighting track in place
Once the track flows smoothly through the curves and the
straights are straight I weight it in place using cheap canned
corn from the local discount grocery store. Then I move on to
16. The Canned Vegetable Express. I use the cheapest
canned vegetables carried by WinCo to weight a length
newly laid flex track until the caulk sets up. I generally
leave the weights on overnight just to be sure.
16
the next piece of track. I leave the canned corn on overnight to
ensure the caulk is fully set.
Soldering feeders
Once I remove the track weights, I tin the stripped tips of the
feeder wires, twist them under the track, and solder them to
the bottom of the rail joiners or rail.
If you’re smart, pre-tin the bottom of the joiners with solder
before installing the track. This makes feeder soldering much
easier. Sometimes I’m smart. I find putting a 90
o
bend about
1/4" from the end of the solder makes it easier to apply it
under the rail.
What’s next?
As I write this nearly all the trackwork remains to be added in
Browning. I’ll need to build a bunch of custom turnouts plus a
crossing, and the Fast Tracks jigs will also get more use, too.
I don’t plan to work on structures or scenery at this time. My focus
remains on completing the mainline.
Once I finish the track in Browning, I’ll hit the Toledo branch and
then the part of Junction City that has benchwork. After that, I’ll
finish the benchwork and backdrop on the peninsula before com-
pleting the mainline.
I remain hopeful that the gold spike may get driven sometime in
September. Horace and Gaston are wondering what kind of cake
we’ll have for the celebration.
MRH-Sep 2014
