With ME track, both rails are loose enough to slip (just a little).
The zig-zag pattern [9] lets the ME track’s ties move around as
the track is curved. When they become diagonal instead of par-
allel the gauge is decreased by an iota or two. This increases
the friction of the rails sliding past the spike heads. If the place-
ment and angles are uneven, so is the friction. The friction
makes ME track hold its shape. The uneven friction seems like
the reason it’s tricky to form ME track into a smooth curve.
I’ve been using ME flex track for a long time. With patience I
can always coax it into shape. Then my local hobby shop owner
turned me on to the Track Tool from MLR Mfg [11]. This handy-
dandy gadget is placed on top of the rails and makes curving
ME flex track a lot easier.
Before I start installing the track, I lay it out upside down and
use my sanding block, this time with 200 grit sandpaper to
